Diego Costa

[robsblubot 3,223]

Hulk has been amazing in Brazil - yes a tier or two lower than Europe these days - but he's indeed dominant, while others who made the same move have not been able to deliver as much.

Costa hasn't played much, but he's already scored and looked like the thorn he is (on the pitch that is )

[NikkiCFC 7,582]

12 hours ago, robsblubot said:

Hulk has been amazing in Brazil - yes a tier or two lower than Europe these days - but he's indeed dominant, while others who made the same move have not been able to deliver as much.

Costa hasn't played much, but he's already scored and looked like the thorn he is (on the pitch that is )

And they are out after draw last night. Palmeiras in the final. Still expecting Flamengo in CWC final.

[robsblubot 3,223]

7 hours ago, NikkiCFC said:

And they are out after draw last night. Palmeiras in the final. Still expecting Flamengo in CWC final.

Yeah quite a shocker, but palmeiras is one of those “solid teams” that can pull that off.

Yet, flamengo is really a notch above everybody else in SA atm. Atletico comes close, but now they only have the brasileirao.

We will likely be facing Filipe Luiz in the final. While they lost their best player in Gerson (24yo CM) - his second and last chance in Europe at Marseille - they've got Adreas Pereira from United to replace him.
They've also just signed David Luiz, so a lot of familiar faces too. 😉

Edited September 29, 2021 by robsblubot

[Vesper 27,318]

Diego Costa makes feelings clear about his next club as Arsenal 'open talks' with striker

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/diego-costa-arsenal-transfer-news-25956666

😜

 

Arsenal have reportedly opened talks with Atletico Mineiro over a move for Diego Costa with the former Chelsea striker looking to make a return to Europe.

The Gunners are keen to add a new no.9 in January due to their lack of depth at the position.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been frozen out by Mikel Arteta after he was stripped of the captaincy and will likely leave the club sooner rather than later.

Alexandre Lacazette is currently leading the line for Arsenal, but his future is also up in the air as he is set to leave as a free agent at the end of the season.

January is a notoriously hard window to do business in but Arsenal are willing to break the bank to find a new talisman.

Dusan Vlahovic is their number one target, but it remains to be seen whether Fiorentina will let their prized asset leave midway through the campaign.

it appears that Arsenal are looking at a short-term solution if a deal for the Serbian does not materialise - and it's a name they're familiar with.

It's claimed Mikel Arteta's men have made an "informal consultation" with Atletico Mineiro over a deal for former Chelsea striker Diego Costa, according to Goal in Brazil.

They approached Atletico-MG to find out about the player's plans for the immediate future after the director of football Rodrigo Caetano revealed that the Spaniard had expressed his desire to leave the club after the Brazilian season ended.

Costa is currenty on vacation in Spain but the report says there has been no official bid from Arsenal as Corinthians and Sao Paulo have also been linked with the ex-Atletico Madrid player.

Caetano broke the news that Costa wanted to leave Brazil and return to Europe, something Mineiro will accommodate as they knew this was a possibility when they signed him.

He said: "The reasons given were adaptation, personal issues... When he goes to that side, there's not much to argue about.

"He stayed with us until the end, he was a very important piece, athlete competitive. He was afraid of this long period that he stayed in Europe, he made it clear that at some point, if he didn't feel comfortable, we could make an agreement of this type.

"We accepted the request and we are building the best agreement for all parties. We appreciate his delivery and this period with us. It is very likely that he will not stay with us this season. from the sides".

[NikkiCFC 7,582]

Pastore Costa Ribery

What a attack that would be years ago...

[MoroccanBlue 5,199]

1 hour ago, NikkiCFC said:

Pastore Costa Ribery

What a attack that would be years ago...

At one point we had Hazard, Pato, Costa, and Falcao....

[Milan 17,835]

He's back

 

[robsblubot 3,223]

He had a pretty unremarkable stint at All Minerio in Brazil. Hulk was the star player there and remained so. Costa started a few games, but he ended up sitting on the bench more often than not.

There was also rumor saying he was a disruptive figure in the locker room.

I'm surprised he's back in the PL.

Edited September 12, 2022 by robsblubot

[Fulham Broadway 16,393]

On 12/09/2022 at 21:10, robsblubot said:

There was also rumor saying he was a disruptive figure in the locker room.

Surely not, such a shrinking violet character 👺

[Vesper 27,318]

Diego Costa's unseen moments on Chelsea return as Wolves star proves he's still box office

Diego Costa returned to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, the former Chelsea striker leading the attack for new club Wolves and making his first Premier League start since departing the Blues in 2017

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/diego-costas-unseen-moments-Chelsea-28187614

Diego Costa returned to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with all eyes on the ex-Chelsea star as he led the Wolverhampton Wanderers attack against his old club.

The Brazilian-born hitman, who turned 34 on Friday, joined the Black Country side when they sent out an SOS for a new striker after summer signing Sasa Kalajdzic suffered a serious knee injury. He was duly thrust into action as a second-half substitute during the defeat to West Ham United last weekend, the final game for Bruno Lage as Wolves boss.

Here, on the opposite side of London, the idea that Wolves caretaker boss Steve Davis had was that, against a Chelsea side who had played in the Champions League on Wednesday night, and with £20million defender Nathan Collins and club captain Ruben Neves both absent due to suspension, attack would be the best form of defence from the outset.

Thus Costa, back in this parish for the first time since his rather bitter and controversial exit that saw ex-boss Antonio Conte inform him he was no longer required via text, was handed a starting spot on Saturday afternoon.

Here's a look at how El Diego's Stamford Bridge comeback unfolded, with home fans delighted to see the return of a hero.

Pre-game: As the two sides lined up around the centre circle ahead of both sides taking the knee before kickoff, Wolves fans in the away end broke into a chant of “Diego, Diego.”

It was quickly taken up around the ground by Chelsea fans, who duly broke into spontaneous applause for their former striker. Costa reciprocated, applauding back and waving to all four sides of the stadium.

Four minutes: Clever little two-yard set on the left touchline as he linked tidily with Daniel Podence.

Six minutes: A first sign of aggression, as Cesar Azpilicueta’s block at a dead ball is met by a two-handed shove to the chest.

35 minutes: Chasing back, a little shoulder charge into the back of Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Little complaint from the Chelsea man, more mere acceptance. A first sign of frustration perhaps, having touched the ball only five times up to this point.

42 minutes: Met in the centre of the field by a thunderous challenge from Kalidou Koulibaly. The ground may have shook.

45+1 minutes: Finds a good position inside the Chelsea penalty area, but can’t sort his feet out and the danger passes.

45+2 minutes: Utterly furious, El Diego is left punching the floor after Wolves concede the opening goal to Kai Havertz.

Half-Time: No messing about, one of the first down the tunnel.

47 minutes: Darts to the near post but can’t meet Adama Traore’s cross from the right.

49 minutes: More chants of “Diego, Diego” from the home crowd as Costa tends to the injured Keep Arrizabalaga as he lies on the ground after a heavy landing, having flapped at a cross. The Chelsea physios are waved away after Costa’s intervention.

56 minutes: Another roar of “Diego, Diego” as Costa’s afternoon is brought to an end with Wolves 2-0 down.

On the far side of the pitch, he gets a hand slap from Trevoh Chalobah and a little farewell cuddle from Jorginho before a more powerful embrace from Azpilicueta. Walking behind the goal in front of the Matthew Harding stand, serenaded by applause and chants all the way until he gets back to the Wolves bench.

He reciprocates with waves of his own and even smiles for some snapping shots with their camera phones. There may even have been a little bow. Wolves caretaker boss Steve Davis calls him over for a hand-slap and a quick hug before he takes his seat.

It was no doubt not how he wanted his day to end.

He sat on the Wolves bench beside Portugal international Goncalo Guedes - himself hooked at half-time after a dire first-half display - his arms outstretched across the backs of the seats.

After five years away, he may not be as sharp, as fit, as boisterous as he once was. But for one day only, he was again revered at the kingdom over which he used to rule.

Edited October 9, 2022 by Vesper

[Hamilton 2,118]