Jump directly to the content
Cost of happiness

Diego Costa is all smiles in Chelsea training with John Terry and N’Golo Kante despite speculation he has agreed China move

Chelsea players prepare for tomorrow's crucial match against Arsenal with Costa looking uncharacteristically happy

DIEGO COSTA was pictured enjoying himself in training ahead of Chelsea's crunch clash with Arsenal tomorrow.

The striker is normally very hard to please, but he could barely have looked happier as he shared a joke with N'Golo Kante.

 Eastern promise? - Costa is all smiles with N'Golo Kante in Chelsea training amid rumours he has agreed to move to China
5
Eastern promise? - Costa is all smiles with N'Golo Kante in Chelsea training amid rumours he has agreed to move to ChinaCredit: Getty Images

According to Spanish journalist Manu Carreno, Costa has reached a "total" and "absolute" pre-agreement to join a Chinese club in the summer.

And Chelsea fans will be hoping his reported big money move to the Far East isn't the reason for the sudden broad smile on his face.

The former Atletico Madrid man also put captain John Terry through his paces, with the former England skipper pictured tugging his shirt as the players challenged for the ball.

 'Got to be a penalty, ref!' - John Terry tugs on Costa's shirt as the players vie for possession
5
'Got to be a penalty, ref!' - John Terry tugs on Costa's shirt as the players vie for possessionCredit: Getty Images
 Free Kick King - David Luiz works on his technique following wonderstrike at Liverpool
5
Free Kick King - David Luiz works on his technique following wonderstrike at LiverpoolCredit: Getty Images
 Don Antonio - The Chelsea boss looks firmly in charge as his players prepare to take on Arsenal
5
Don Antonio - The Chelsea boss looks firmly in charge as his players prepare to take on ArsenalCredit: Getty Images
 High Spirits - Michy Batshuayi, Willian, Luiz and Kurt Zouma pose for a photo ahead of tomorrow's match
5
High Spirits - Michy Batshuayi, Willian, Luiz and Kurt Zouma pose for a photo ahead of tomorrow's matchCredit: Getty Images

Meanwhile manager Antonio Conte was keen to ensure his players kept their concentration levels up ahead of tomorrow's London derby.

Unlike Stamford Bridge predecessor Jose Mourinho, who keeps his distance at training with Man United, Conte could be seen barking out instructions to his players throughout the session.

David Luiz, who scored a fantastic free kick in the Blues' 1-1 draw at Liverpool, could be seen working on his technique in the hope of repeating the feat against Arsenal.

But he still found time to pose for a photo with teammates Michy Batshuayi, Willian and Kurt Zouma.

In the pre-match press conference, Conte turned his fire on Man City boss Pep Guardiola, who had said the title was Chelsea's to lose.

The former Juventus and Italy boss said of Guardiola: “It’s normal, a mental strategy that every single coach tries to use for the players, for his players.

“Now we are top of the League and, in that moment, I remember that we were eight points from City.

“To answer Pep, the situation can change very quickly. I think, in that moment, City had eight points more than Chelsea. After 18 games, the situation had changed.

“There are 15 games left and we must pay great attention, to reply to Pep. You understand?"

Topics