Diego Costa

[Ainsley Harriott 2,732]

I saw people praising him in the match thread but I really didn't see a change, apart form slightly improved positioning. Technique and passing still shocking and he's clearly slower. I'd ship him out for a better option in january tbh.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

Needs to be on his way. He's lost the fan base, and it looks like he has also lost a step.

Him leaving would be best for everybody.

[DYC. 7,542]

His first touch. Good grief.

[JaKstone 307]

Needs to be on his way. He's lost the fan base, and it looks like he has also lost a step.

Him leaving would be best for everybody.

I think we can recover the money we paid for him if Atletico tries to pursue a deal for him.

[lucio 5,418]

even within a great team attacking display, he looks like he can't play football. get rid

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Needs to be on his way. He's lost the fan base, and it looks like he has also lost a step.

Him leaving would be best for everybody.

Yeah, he needs to go back to Atleti. We desperately need another alternative.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Sell him in the summer and get Lukaku back!

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Diego Costa stormed out of Stamford bridge after beating sunderland (BBC)

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Sigh. Last season seems like a lifetime away.

[iseah100 5,612]

I saw people praising him in the match thread but I really didn't see a change, apart form slightly improved positioning. Technique and passing still shocking and he's clearly slower. I'd ship him out for a better option in january tbh.

Nope. I agree with you, he was nothing special.

[Special Juan 27,424]

Diego Costa stormed out of Stamford bridge after beating sunderland (BBC)

Lets hope he fucking stays out, I wouldn't play him again this season if true.

[Joe Cool 388]

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/sport/article4646127.ece

Exclusive: Costa opted for double training sessions to impress Mourinho

Diego Costa spent the last three weeks of José Mourinho’s tenure at Chelsea voluntarily taking part in double training sessions to improve his fitness.

The Spain striker bore the brunt of anger from Chelsea fans during the 3-1 home win over Sunderland on Saturday, along with Cesc Fàbregas, as both players were booed when the teams were announced before kick-off and again after their second-half substitutions. They were also named in a banner produced by one fan, who accused them and Eden Hazard of being the “rats” who had undermined Mourinho, a phrase that the Portuguese used when complaining about leaks of his tactics in October.

Costa has struggled for form this season and had several heated conversations with Mourinho before his departure last week, but since being left out of the starting line-up for the first time for last month’s goalless draw against Tottenham Hotspur, he has made conscientious efforts to improve his physical condition.

It is understood that the 27-year-old has been returning to Chelsea’s training ground in the afternoons to conduct solo gym sessions, resulting in him being lighter and leaner than at any time since he joined the club from Atletico Madrid 18 months ago.

Costa’s confidence remains low, however, and in missing two good chances against Sunderland, he did not look like adding to his modest tally of three Barclays Premier League goals this season.

Fàbregas is bemused by the fans’ treatment of him, which stems from erroneous suggestions that he was responsible for leaking details of Mourinho’s team selection. The Spain midfielder was first to board the team bus after last week’s defeat away by Leicester, but had a close relationship with Mourinho until the end and is believed to have had a lengthy telephone conversation with the Portuguese on the night before his dismissal.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

I was expecting a general booing, rather than singling out of players on Saturday.

Hopefully it acts as a final kick up the arse. Costa is improving, nowhere near where he needs to be though.

If he can't handle a little stick then maybe he needs to focus on mental rather than physical strength.

[Joe Cool 388]

If he can't handle a little stick then maybe he needs to focus on mental rather than physical strength.

Mate he should probably focus on both.

In any case, he's never struck me as being very mentally strong. Spending all match picking fights rather than trying to score goals is quite indicative of someone who's got a few too many loose screws.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/sport/article4646127.ece

Sounds like damage control to protect an asset the fans have turned against.

[MefiX19 1,092]

Mate he should probably focus on both.

In any case, he's never struck me as being very mentally strong. Spending all match picking fights rather than trying to score goals is quite indicative of someone who's got a few too many loose screws.

Great avatar mate!

[iseah100 5,612]

Sounds like damage control to protect an asset the fans have turned against.

Exactly what I was thinking lol. Seems clear to me.

[Adnane 1,101]

The new manager has liked what he has seen in training so far, and while he knows from his own experiences that emotion can play a big part in sport, he hopes the striker can return to top form by concentrating on what he does best.

‘I've worked with Diego Costa a few days, and in the past I've seen him on television a few times,’ says Hiddink.

‘From what I experienced in the last few days, and I must also take into consideration the last game he played against Sunderland, he was in control.

‘He was focused more on what he is hired for here, and that is to help to score or to assist and not going into other things. I think he was well controlled when I experienced him in the last days. I cannot have any complaints about him.

‘He's an emotional guy,’ continues the manager. ‘A long time ago, I was captain of my team and the manager substituted me at half-time. I wasn’t used to that. I thought I'd performed but I threw off my armband and threw it at him.

‘It was also an emotional reaction born of frustration. It was a sign of frustration. Sportsmen, even though they are on camera, are allowed to show a bit of emotion, but they must know five or 10 seconds later that they're wrong.

‘I think Diego can focus on what he is able to do. I cannot guarantee there won't be an outburst from him or others, but they have to focus on what they're good at.’