Big Blue with respect it is not childish. Jose Mourinho identified Costa long before we signed him. He has first hand knowledge of the Spanish League and what is required to succeed in the Premiership. Those doubting Costa for me in those circumstances are questioning a great manager who knows more about football than anyone on these forums. I watched him last season and based my opinion on facts not what was written in the press on here or anywhere else for that matter. I stand by Jose and also stand by my theory that anyone questioning the clear talent of Costa knows nothing about football. I am certain Jose would say the same.

I wouldn't go so far as to doubt Costa -  let alone Mourinho's judgement, having previously only seen Costa play against us last season and in the World Cup. 

 

On the other hand, I don't want to get carried away on the basis of a couple of admittedly stunning pre-season goals. Pre-season results and performances are notoriously unreliable as an indication of the way the following season might progress.

 

Hopefully Costa's pre-season performances really do represent a sign of things to come, but veering towards over-cautiousness, I'd still like to reserve judgment until the season is well under way.

Bloody hell what a goal. Could have been Charlie Cooke or Pat Nevin.

Big Blue with respect it is not childish. Jose Mourinho identified Costa long before we signed him. He has first hand knowledge of the Spanish League and what is required to succeed in the Premiership. Those doubting Costa for me in those circumstances are questioning a great manager who knows more about football than anyone on these forums. I watched him last season and based my opinion on facts not what was written in the press on here or anywhere else for that matter. I stand by Jose and also stand by my theory that anyone questioning the clear talent of Costa knows nothing about football. I am certain Jose would say the same.

That's fair enough and I respect that having watched him last season, couple with Mourinho's intent on signing him, you are a big fan of costa's.

Myself and others who weren't completely sold on him, also watched him last year, and we're left with doubts about whether he would be the answer.

Your opinion is no more valid anyone else's, so I find it insulting you think anyone who had reservations about him, were basing it off 180 minutes at the world cup.

Jose doesn't always get it right in the transfer market, so I don't see anything wrong with with having a differing opinion.

Costa hasn't even played a competitive game yet, but if for some reason he doesn't go to be a success here, I won't be calling out all 'costa lovers' and letting them now how wrong they were.

Happy to draw a line under now I've got that off my chest, and for what's it's worth, the early signs are promising, and I hope he can come close to filling Drogba's boots. Then you can give me a big fat 'I told ya so' after we've won the title in may!

I wouldn't go so far as to doubt Costa -  let alone Mourinho's judgement, having previously only seen Costa play against us last season and in the World Cup. 

 

On the other hand, I don't want to get carried away on the basis of a couple of admittedly stunning pre-season goals. Pre-season results and performances are notoriously unreliable as an indication of the way the following season might progress.

 

Hopefully Costa's pre-season performances really do represent a sign of things to come, but veering towards over-cautiousness, I'd still like to reserve judgment until the season is well under way.

 

I agree

 

I judged Hazard on pre season when he first came here and I was very skeptical on him due to his poor performances against MLS all stars where he couldn't beat a player to save his life, then the 3-1 battering against bloody Brighton. Then Hazard turned out to have like what 4-5 assists in his first 3 games? You just can't judge with pre season I'm afraid.

Cool 'Big Blue' roll on Burnley.

Lets see how he does in the League but even from the friendlies it does look like night and day compared to our strike force last season or our subs this year. 

 

Now hopefully everyone will be able to see what kind of effect a striker who is constantly scoring and creating pressure will make on the rest of the squad. The mental pressure of playing with invisbible strikers will finally be lifted from our midfielders - allowing them to be more relaxed and ease into more leads. 

 

Positive signs 

The good thing is both Fabregas and Costa look as if they have been part of our team for years. Luis for me needs the most Adjustment

"He's only good inside the box"

 

"He can't create goals from nothing"

 

"He has only had one good season"

 

On your bike lads

"He's only good inside the box"

 

"He can't create goals from nothing"

 

"He has only had one good season"

 

On your bike lads

 

Yeah but again you're saying this after a few pre season games?

 

Look I'm not on there side or anything, I haven't seen Costa enough to judge him so I'm not claiming what the others have but we should judge from his first season at Chelsea. They could be right for all we know, maybe he might not be good enough, but the signs so far have been pretty positive it has to be said. I am a bit optimistic about him.

I'm amazed people have the time to not only watch the majority of EPL games, but also watch the 3rd best Spanish team on a week in week out basis.

I'm amazed people have the time to not only watch the majority of EPL games, but also watch the 3rd best Spanish team on a week in week out basis.

Sky + ;) to be fair it's only 2/3 games a weekend. Must be hard for you to watch much European football in Australia? When I was there it was hard enough getting up early for just the chelsea games.

Jonty - er they were the best team in Spain last year not 3rd and sky showed them more than Chelsea. Plus highlight shows clearly showed Costa was the best centre forward in Spain. Judged by pundits, fans and players alike. Our own Scott Minto said of him the same. They also played us off the park and we have their best 3 players (arguably !)

Slawth look at this - this wasn't pre season !!!!

Diego Costa - TOP 10 Goals - Atletico Madrid | 2012/14 HD ( look on u tube ) every striker goal possible, inside, outside, same sort of goal he scored for us, header, some people just watch Chelsea and not other teams it's obvious. Or the World Cup !!!

Edited August 10, 201411 yr by DawesRoad

I stand by my statement and it is based on fact. Costa was the complete forward before he got injured. Those thinking Costa will be a success are basing it on his performances BEFORE this time. The doubters are looking at his performances against us and the CL final and World Cup. I understand it, that been said.

Watching most of the games in the premier league and la liga idnt that daunting of a task, not sure why some feel thats implausible.

I'm amazed people have the time to not only watch the majority of EPL games, but also watch the 3rd best Spanish team on a week in week out basis.

You do realise many Spanish games are evening kick offs don't you?

Plus Sky show over 100 games from La Liga and have a show dedicated to it ever week which catches all the goals ect....

So yeah it's very easy to follow 2 or 3 leagues these days

Ah ok, in Australia we don't get anywhere near as much Liga coverage but do get every EPL game live.

What surprises me is that people actually want to spend so much time in front of the box. But then I've never had much of an interest in European or International football. This could well be an age thing. When I used to go to football, there were very few live games on TV. I'd watch Chelsea home and away, and I'd very,very occasionally turn up somewhere or other (notably Wembley) as a neutral.

Nowadays, I'll watch our games, as many Rangers games as I can, and that's about it.

 

Needless to say, there's no right or wrong here, it';s just a matter of personal preference. Each to his own.

What surprises me is that people actually want to spend so much time in front of the box. But then I've never had much of an interest in European or International football. This could well be an age thing. When I used to go to football, there were very few live games on TV. I'd watch Chelsea home and away, and I'd very,very occasionally turn up somewhere or other (notably Wembley) as a neutral.

Nowadays, I'll watch our games, as many Rangers games as I can, and that's about it.

Needless to say, there's no right or wrong here, it';s just a matter of personal preference. Each to his own.

I didn't use to watch as much as I do now, must be down to the missus starting to work more weekends!

All the weekend games are on demand now aswell so it's easier to watch whenever there isn't much on.

Times have changed dramatically, when I was growing up, I didn't have sky, so the only full matches I'd watch on tv, we're the FA.cup, champions league, and international. Also the highlight of my week was gazette football on a Sunday!

Ah ok, in Australia we don't get anywhere near as much Liga coverage but do get every EPL game live.

 

Yep, they've gone off ESPN now but they tend to pretty much just show the Madrid and Barca games each week.

What surprises me is that people actually want to spend so much time in front of the box. But then I've never had much of an interest in European or International football. This could well be an age thing. When I used to go to football, there were very few live games on TV. I'd watch Chelsea home and away, and I'd very,very occasionally turn up somewhere or other (notably Wembley) as a neutral.

Nowadays, I'll watch our games, as many Rangers games as I can, and that's about it.

 

Needless to say, there's no right or wrong here, it';s just a matter of personal preference. Each to his own.

Totally agree. Growing up in the 70s there were only a handful of live games a season. The European Cup Final, England matches (only important games) and the England schoolboys game at the end of the season. "Can you hear us on the box?" would be sung from the Shed on the rare occasions when we were on MOTD or The Big Match. These days you could get as many live games on the telly over a weekend then you used to get in a season. It's overkill, Chelsea and England games yes the rest not to bothered about. But as TD says each to there own.

Totally agree. Growing up in the 70s there were only a handful of live games a season. The European Cup Final, England matches (only important games) and the England schoolboys game at the end of the season. "Can you hear us on the box?" would be sung from the Shed on the rare occasions when we were on MOTD or The Big Match. These days you could get as many live games on the telly over a weekend then you used to get in a season. It's overkill, Chelsea and England games yes the rest not to bothered about. But as TD says each to there own.

And of course the Cup Final !

I'm still amazed anyone hasn't looked at u tubes goals from Costa - surely it would convince everyone he is the complete centre forward !

Hope you are right but I don't think he's anything special at all.

It would be a Soldado type flop in England IMO.

Hope I'm wrong if he does come though

Lol