Diego Costa

[Barbara 15,149]

Even if the goal scoring dries up a bit, he still does A LOT for the team. I remember him going through quite a lengthy goal drought last season for Atletico, he was still giving it his all for his team and his link up play was still excellent, and that isn't too bad IMO. Every striker goes through a drought, I won't mind as long as he bangs in enough goals for us this season.

if he's in a goals drought giving passes like he gave for Salah and Matic at the other game (instead of going for the shot himself) and linking up well in general as he did in all matches he's played for us, it's still a great addition.

And I must admit, I had a lot of doubts about this guy and I made them clear. Pre-season isn't the time to judge a player's capability (Marin anyone? Hazard anyone?), but I'm sold. All the reservations I had about him he already proved me wrong, very, very wrong. If he'll fit, if he'll struggle with the league, if he'll go through a goals drought are different matters all together, I'm not saying those things won't happen, but I can easily say my reservations with him are done.

And I nearly committed a crime, a real atrocity when I said he and Lukaku were the same kind of striker. They look like the same kind of strikers, but Diego offers a set of skills I didn't see coming (or didn't know about) and that I don't think Lukaku can offer (at least not yet). I hope to never read again that he and Lukaku are the same kind of strikers because they just aren't.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Wow.

[Namika 922]

I'm not surprised at all. People were quick to criticize him and write him off after two WC games but anyone who watched Atleti knew that he's a great great player.

[Barbara 15,149]

how did I miss this live?

[OneMoSalah 8,797]

Mans an absolute brute, I know its pre-season but I haven't been as excited about a striker we have signed since Sheva (who let me down with his poor record haha), can't wait to see him in action in the PL.

[LAM09 6,811]

He is looking like the real deal so far. Let's hope he drives us to glory!

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Thank god he wasnt injured after that Bruno Alves tackle...

And I can see him pick a few yellow cards with his burst of anger, but its good to see he isnt afraid of defender.

[The Skipper 20,593]

I'm fine with him screaming at Bruno Alves tbh, it ensures Bruno won't do such nonsense if he faces Diego again.

Love this drug cartel lord already.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Costaaaaa

[Myself 793]

ALL HAIL MR DRUG CARTEL LORD

[cadenza666 221]

enjoy lads

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmXV4bHqrGg

[Chelsea? 892]

I'm willing to bet the first english words he learned to say were: 'f... off'

[Special Juan 27,455]

Player.

[Madmax 9,219]

Even if the goal scoring dries up a bit, he still does A LOT for the team. I remember him going through quite a lengthy goal drought last season for Atletico, he was still giving it his all for his team and his link up play was still excellent, and that isn't too bad IMO. Every striker goes through a drought, I won't mind as long as he bangs in enough goals for us this season.

He drew 3.31 fouls per league game last season - by far the most of any other 'top' forward in Europe and actually more than the combined number for all our 4 forwards including Lukaku. Such a relief to know that when you play the ball up to him a) it will stick b )he'll draw a foul and alleviate pressure while possibly creating a scoring chance or c) he will run at the defence.

I swear I'm 24 and losing hair because whenever we play the ball to any of our strikers it just comes straight back, like bouncing it off a wall.

[bethos1 802]

Great goal but shit defending.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

It's not just that he scored, but he made that goal out of nothing and how many times have we looked at strikers and wanted one of them?

Exactly. We said this last season that we needed a striker to bale us out when we aren't playing well. Torres waits for the ball to land on his feet in front of the post before he scores and he doesn't score an individual goal while our rival have that in abundance (rooney, vanpersie, aguero, Suarez,).

I didn't know costa had dribbling in his locker, I'm very happy with what I've seen so far.

[Ze Mario 638]

Our defense last season was top notch, but we was lacking on attacking department aka striker. But now we fix the issue with Costa, our defense starting to get worse.

Why the fuck we cant have both of them at the fullest?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Great goal but shit defending.

Don't really expect my strikers to be good at defending, to be honest. We were spoilt having Didier for eight years.

The early indicators are very positive regarding Diego, but I refuse to get my hopes up.