Jump directly to the content
DIEGO FIT UP

Diego Costa is NOT leaving Chelsea… and looks in better shape than ever as he prepares for the new Premier League season

Spanish striker set to stay at Stamford Bridge as he returns for new boss Antonio Conte's punishing pre-season boot camp

PREMIER LEAGUE defenders start worrying - Diego Costa is back at Chelsea.

The volatile Spanish striker reported for the first day of pre-season training when many Blues feared and many opponents hoped he would be long gone.
Diego Costa powers between Baba Rahman and John Terry as Chelsea limber up
4
Diego Costa powers between Baba Rahman and John Terry as Chelsea limber upCredit: Getty Images
All smiles at the Cobham training...John Terry posted this picture on Instagram as Chelsea players reported back for pre-season training
4
All smiles at the Cobham training...John Terry posted this picture on Instagram as Chelsea players reported back for pre-season trainingCredit: Instagram @johnterry.26

Costa has been linked with a move home to Spain and, in particular, his old club Atletico Madrid following a turbulent last 12 months at Chelsea.

But while he and his team-mates weren’t exactly thrilled to be back at work after their summer break, Costa’s appearance will give the club a big boost.

New boss Antonio Conte doesn’t start work officially until Wednesday when he will start drilling his squad with punishing double training sessions before flying to Austria on Friday for a pre-season boot camp and friendly matches.

Costa, 27, and his pals underwent medical checks on Monday before having a small-sided game out on the pitches at Chelsea’s plush Surrey training ground.

A Blues source said: “He certainly looks in better shape than last year.
“He is also not for sale. Diego is staying put.”
A year ago Costa had to be put on a specialist training programme by former boss Jose Mourinho after reporting back overweight and admitting he overdid it during the summer break.
Being left out of Spain’s squad for Euro 2016 has given Costa time to rest his troublesome hamstrings and he has also been carrying out a specialist work programme to keep ticking over during the close season.
New boss Antonio Conte will take Chelsea training on Wednesday
4
New boss Antonio Conte will take Chelsea training on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images
Hopefully Gary Cahill will be over his Euro 2016 heartache when he joins the Chelsea boys for pre-season training in a couple of weeks
4
Hopefully Gary Cahill will be over his Euro 2016 heartache when he joins the Chelsea boys for pre-season training in a couple of weeksCredit: Getty Images
But incoming boss Conte won’t let Costa rest on his laurels or anything else for that matter so has decided to give him a bit of competition for his place by signing £33million Marseille forward Michy Batshuayi to keep him on his toes.
Costa was joined by skipper John Terry at Cobham and Chelsea’s Brazilian contingent.
England defender Gary Cahill and Belgian internationals Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois have more time off after international duty this summer.
Topics
YOU MIGHT LIKE
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MORE FOR YOU