Atletico de Madrid's president has said today to the press that Costa is a Chelsea player with a Chelsea contract and denies having said that they were they close to signing him. So I guess that is the end of these rumours.

http://www.marca.com/futbol/atletico/2016/07/19/578e8e03e2704e9c3e8b46f8.html

For €60m, sell him on.

He can't stay healthy enough. 28 league apps his first season, 26 last year. Always picking up injuries

He's a target for other teams and officials now. I'd bet £100 he gets sent off against United this season if he plays.

For €60m plus whatever else we have available we can find a replacement. He's a great player but only when he's on the pitch, which isn't often enough to turn that money down

 

What striker could replace Costa for 60m in the current market, and come to a club without CL football?

 

Costa is the best striker we've had since Drogba - not keen on another Sheva, Torres, Lukaku, Sturridge, Eto, Ba saga. He's proven in the PL and really drags the team forward from the front - not one striker has had this mentality since Didier, and don't see many others out there with these strengths that Conte is after. Just hoping he finally settles under Conte - again, Drogba didn't have the smoothest first few seasons...

 

As for injuries, he was run into the ground at A Madrid, as well as his two seasons here since no other striker could be trusted. Coming into this season fit, after a proper break, and without extra CL games ahead, I don't think his fitness will be an issue. It's really only his hamstring that seemed to be the problem i.e not a major knee ligament or similar -  and he was always rushed back into the team post-injury by Simione and Jose... hoping this won't be the case with Batshuayi, Remy, Traore, +1 hopefully stepping up as needed. 

 

And how sharp did he look at the end of last season? 

Edited July 20, 20169 yr by joshd24

Costa is staying, according to Conte.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36840471 

 

Looking fit and ready to go stay. Stark contrast to pre-season 15/16. Here's hoping he's had a few sessions with the anger management therapist during Spain's flop at the Euros.

Hard to tell from that photo if he is carrying timber or not. I am sure he's got new motivations under the new boss.

Is it just me or is his leg really long from knee to ankle?

Hard to tell from that photo if he is carrying timber or not. I am sure he's got new motivations under the new boss.

 

True - at least he's kept his bib on this time. Just looks a lot leaner judging by his face.

 

Could be the tan but he looks a lot better than he does here 

 

Is it just me or is his leg really long from knee to ankle?

 

Reckon it's those small calves of his - they're tiny... Building calf mass is not easy - hence why you see the chest-day lads at the gym walking round with chicken legs.

Reckon it's those small calves of his - they're tiny... Building calf mass is not easy - hence why you see the chest-day lads at the gym walking round with chicken legs.

Love it, you just made my afternoon

Do you even do leg day, bro?

Edited July 20, 20169 yr by Barry Bridges

He has big f**k off thighs though....

True - at least he's kept his bib on this time. Just looks a lot leaner judging by his face.

 

Could be the tan but he looks a lot better than he does here 

 

 

The photo is still unbeliavble.. 1 thing for sure, once he hang up his boots, he will look even bloater than that.. really in chubby form last season.. 

True - at least he's kept his bib on this time. Just looks a lot leaner judging by his face.

 

Could be the tan but he looks a lot better than he does here 

 

 

I wish Costa would go back to how he looked in 2014. Even though he has lost that weight from last season, he has turned it all into muscle. I think all of that muscle has slowed him down a bit and he doesn't quite turn as well as he did. 

 

This is something that i think happens a lot in the Premier League, they focus so much on building their muscle to cope with the physicality of the league. I thought Costa was coping with the league fine in his first season though, i don't think adding all of that muscle was necessary.

He certainly isn't as slight as he used to be that's for sure.

Reckon it's those small calves of his - they're tiny... Building calf mass is not easy - hence why you see the chest-day lads at the gym walking round with chicken legs.

Damn right they're hard to build haha. I think largely its down to genetics for calves, you can either build big ones or you cant. I hit calves every time I am in the gym and only seen to get better definition but no real mass.

If you've been heavy then you'll have naturally big calves, but if you've been an ecotomorph all your life then its always going to be an uphill battle no matter!

Damn right they're hard to build haha. I think largely its down to genetics for calves, you can either build big ones or you cant. I hit calves every time I am in the gym and only seen to get better definition but no real mass.

If you've been heavy then you'll have naturally big calves, but if you've been an ecotomorph all your life then its always going to be an uphill battle no matter!

My little brother has HUGE calves, he has never worked at them but would put most to shame. He's not fat or overweight at all just looks solid.

I've got chicken legs sadly

Are we body shaming Diego?

Damn right they're hard to build haha. I think largely its down to genetics for calves, you can either build big ones or you cant. I hit calves every time I am in the gym and only seen to get better definition but no real mass.

If you've been heavy then you'll have naturally big calves, but if you've been an ecotomorph all your life then its always going to be an uphill battle no matter!

Preach brother, I work my legs 3 times per week in the gym, nearly 28" thighs and then there's two things attached to the bottom of them that look like they should be hanging out of a nest. It's heartbreaking trying to wear shorts   

I know exactly what you mean. Quads and Hammys easy to build, just squat.... calves are a nightmare

I know exactly what you mean. Quads and Hammys easy to build, just squat.... calves are a nightmare

Arnold has some vids up on youtube with exercises that he used to deal with his calf problem.

I done them for about 5 mins and gave up a few years back.

Damn right they're hard to build haha. I think largely its down to genetics for calves, you can either build big ones or you cant. I hit calves every time I am in the gym and only seen to get better definition but no real mass.

If you've been heavy then you'll have naturally big calves, but if you've been an ecotomorph all your life then its always going to be an uphill battle no matter!

 

Ha keep at it mate - a few of the lads from my rugby team back home managed to get some good mass and tone hitting them 4-5 times a week for a good while.

 

Swings and roundabouts - being half Samoan, sprint training from a young age, and always had a habit of walking on the balls of my feet, I've always had naturally big calves and quads. Because of this, I need to train my upper body to stay proportionate, can never find a nice, slim fitting pair of pants, have two left feet playing footy, and avoid the squat rack in order to fit the slim pants/jeans I have found.

 

Leg day, not even once.

Damn right they're hard to build haha. I think largely its down to genetics for calves, you can either build big ones or you cant. I hit calves every time I am in the gym and only seen to get better definition but no real mass.

If you've been heavy then you'll have naturally big calves, but if you've been an ecotomorph all your life then its always going to be an uphill battle no matter!

Eat enough takeaways, drink a lot more beer and stop going to the gym. I guarantee your calves will bulk up.

Or you'll end up looking like i do when i eat and drink too much....    A straw that's swallowed a pea !! 

Looking in much better shape than last year.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Edited July 26, 20169 yr by AlexTommo

Rarely seen a fat man with small calves, the proof is out there. Be a fat man half your life then work backwards

Edited July 26, 20169 yr by Stim