Whilst Conte and Diego deserve a lot of praise this season, I think a brief mention needs to be made for Gus Hiddink. During his tenure the turn around started and we saw Diego doing what he needed to do, causing defenders a problem beyond just confrontation, getting in behind the opposition defence, getting on the score sheet and providing assists, whilst he is certainly more complete this season, under Hiddink the rejuvenation started, since then he has contributing to 30 goals in his last 28 BPL games (16 in 14 this season), long may it continue as he is looking deadly.    

23 hours ago, JMaher94 said:

I genuinely cannot believe that some people wanted rid of this man.

He's dominating games by himself like Drogba did.

Best striker in the world on current form. Saint Diego.

To be fair, he was poor in 2015 after a fantastic year in 2014 and he appeared disinterested and at the heart of our downfall at the start of the 2015-2016 season that led to Jose's subsequent sacking.

He returned to pre-season unfit and overweight and there were lingering rumours that he pined for a move back to Atletico Madrid at the end of last season.

Since Hiddink became manager he started returning to the heights that we recalled in 2014, but Conte has propelled him into new heights that we couldn't have imagined 12 months ago so credit where it's due.

I was very critical of him last season, but this season he's been breathtaking to watch and I'm very happy to eat humble pie in this instance.

Edited December 4, 20169 yr by Jezz

Don taught him how to channel aggression into possitive thinking whilst Jose (and Simeone) was (is) pleased when a player channels his energy to rough with opossition.

Hats down, Don Antonio. You've just 'made' Costa a complete all-around deadly striker in the world.

 

And not to forget, he's still in a work of progress.

Edited December 5, 20169 yr by mojo

If he keeps it up he's a shoe in for POTY

What's the status of his supposed injury? Hoping it's nothing to worry about. He should get 8 days rest and hopefully be fit for Brom.

11 hours ago, AlexTommo said:

What's the status of his supposed injury? Hoping it's nothing to worry about. He should get 8 days rest and hopefully be fit for Brom.

There's videos of him at training today, so looks like he's fine.

Johnny Evans was apparently driven to drink at the news. 

On December 5, 2016 at 12:07, Bobbywoodhogan said:

If he keeps it up he's a shoe in for POTY

Id still give it to Eden and this is coming from a card carrying Diego fanboy, Costa is great but Eden is a unique special player and for me if he is playing as much as 70% of his capabilities the PFA poty award is a one horse race let alone the Chelsea one.  I remember reading last season in January that despite the worse form of his career he was in the top 7 of chances created.

On 12/6/2016 at 18:46, AlexTommo said:

What's the status of his supposed injury? Hoping it's nothing to worry about. He should get 8 days rest and hopefully be fit for Brom.

He seems fine.

 

 

just saw this on his instagram

 

for whatever reason i feel so sad seeing this picture, he really needs one of those lingerie model girlfriend footballers usually have

 

 

The dog probably brings him more happiness and better companionship. 

1 hour ago, havelschayes said:

just saw this on his instagram

 

for whatever reason i feel so sad seeing this picture, he really needs one of those lingerie model girlfriend footballers usually have

 

 

What do you mean?

Man and dog > Man and girlfriend

1 hour ago, havelschayes said:

just saw this on his instagram

 

for whatever reason i feel so sad seeing this picture, he really needs one of those lingerie model girlfriend footballers usually have

 

 

Seriously????  OK, I volunteer for the role of lingerie model girlfriend - as long as he keeps the gorgeous dog as well!

just saw this on his instagram

 
for whatever reason i feel so sad seeing this picture, he really needs one of those lingerie model girlfriend footballers usually have
 
 

I could do with one of those as well.

It's a cute, gorgeous dog, and they seem to adore each other. I don't get the sadness.

3 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

The dog probably brings him more happiness and better companionship. 

And intellectual conversation  :)

On 03/12/2016 at 22:49, just said:

I have never had a player take me to two utterly polarising opinions.

I was one of the people, along with Barack, who argued for us to sign him from Athletico. Not many on here had a good word to say about him then. In fact hardly any.  After last season I wanted him gone, more than anything, gone. I hated him. The faux hardman acting. The whining. The indifference. For me he reflected everything that was wrong last season. And to cap it all off his technique was sh*te. Control, passing, movement. sh*te, sh*te, sh*te. A total disgrace of a player.

The turnaround this season amazes me. He isn't anywhere near Drogba levels for me and probably never will. Disagree if you will. What went on last year I don't know but, right now, he is one of the best CFs currently playing and a major reason we are such a transformed side.

Like Davey says in his post above credit to Conte for showing faith and getting him focused back on the football. But credit to Costa too for being smart enough to take that on board and looking like a professional player again.

 

Concur with Just on Costa. Can't claim to have really wanted him in the first place, didn't know enough about him and some on his antics annoyed me but I liked his fight and aggression. First season for us didn't really win me over, although scoring he still annoyed me with his stupid antics, always getting in people's faces over basically f**k all. Last season he was generally sh*te, and as Just states it was all only faux hardman acting. Would loved to have seen him gone in the summer.

It has obviously been the Conte influence this season that has helped change him round but credit to Costa as well. Surely he recognises that he is a much better player without all the hardman antics, snarling at players, puffing out his chest and generally winding the opposition up.

Although Aguero is a great player, he's a nasty,dirty wee sh*te and I'd take Costa in his current form over him any day. Although the press and opposition fans like to label Costa a dirty player I can't say that I have ever seen him go in over the ball intending to hurt players.

On Conti I think that he has an influence on attitudes has not only been on Costa but over the whole team. I think he has instilled a calmness in everyone and has a code of what way to behave on and off the field. Hasn't seemed to be a controversial comment by anyone since he's taken over.

 

Diego Costa has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for November. Very well deserved. 

32 minutes ago, pacquiao said:

Diego Costa has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for November. Very well deserved. 

Well done Diego! He's in danger of becoming my favourite player of the current squad.

7 minutes ago, Valerie said:

Well done Diego! He's in danger of becoming my favourite player of the current squad.

You mean he isn't already?! 

 

Well done my boy Diego, you handsome lovable rogue! 

Congratulations, Diego.

Great pic, one man and his dog.Costa is rapidly turning into one of my favourites, he's seen how effective it is to turn negative into positive. He is a joy to watch like this.

He's been the player of the season! Brilliant goal today.

His work on the pitch is something that I can't really describe, what a player!

1 chance, 1 goal, 3 points. 

Clinical.

left footed, top corner

nasty man i tell ya