Azpilicueta refutes Costa move talk: 'He's not learning Chinese'

Cesar Azpilicueta has dismissed talk that Chelsea teammate Diego Costa is seeking a move to the cash-rich Chinese Super League as merely "rumours."

Since the 15-goal Premier League hitman was part of an alleged bust-up with fitness coach Julio Tous over a back injury last month - missing a meeting with Leicester City as a result - the back page transfer tattle was swarmed with reports that he was eyeing a switch to East Asia.

However, his goalscoring return to the side in the next match against Hull City on Jan. 22 has been followed by his manager Antonio Conte insisting the striker wants to stay in SW6, and Costa himself saying the media "talk too much shit."

"It's all rumours that come out," Azpilicueta told Cadena Ser radio, as translated by ESPN FC's Adriana Garcia. "No, he is not learning Chinese. He is learning Spanish!"

Costa, who had been capped two times in non-competitive fixtures by Brazil, switched allegiances to Spain in 2014 after being granted citizenship in July 2013. Judging from Azpilicueta's take, Costa is still getting getting to grips with King Ferdinand's lisp.

Playing more of a selfless game with controlled aggression up top for the Blues, Costa is putting in performances to rival his debut 20-goal 2014-15 campaign. Chelsea has an eight-point cushion over second-placed Manchester City which 13 matches remaining.

"He wants to win the Premier League with us and I don't see him, like you say, learning Chinese," Azpilicueta added.

"I really hope he stays for a long time. He is giving so much to the team, not just goals. He helps create play. He is a reference player for us."

But the versatile defender does understand the temptation for players to head to China, with former colleagues Ramires, Oscar, and Mikel John Obi all earning lucrative wages in the Super League.

"It's a new market and there are many players that have decided to embark on that adventure," he explained.

"Each player has his own personal circumstances and different situations in his respective club and he makes that decision."

Chelsea travels to the Championship's Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.