5 La Liga players who have the most to prove this season

3. Diego Costa — Atletico Madrid

It was only a couple of years ago when Diego Costa was being lauded as one of the most dominant strikers in all of world football. But those days are long gone now.

Costa is coming off of yet another disappointing campaign with Atletico Madrid. He scored just five goals in all competitions last season and failed to even get on the scoresheet over the UEFA Champions League competition. The Atletico fan favorite also dealt with multiple injuries, including a herniated disc injury that sidelined him for three months.

The 31-year-old striker has looked like a shell of himself ever since he returned to Atletico. The once physical and revered striker has now become a slow and lackadaisical forward. This was clear in the team’s Champions League knockout stage fixture against RB Leipzig where he failed to record a shot on target and lacked the mobility to become a goal-scoring threat in the penalty box.

Costa is well past the glory days of his prime and for the moment, he is planning on featuring with the team this season. But this could change soon considering the recent links to clubs such as Fenerbahce.

For now, Costa is set to once again be in a forward rotation alongside Alvaro Morata and Joao Felix. He will become a free agent next year, so the hope is for him to make the most of his likely final season with the team while also orchestrating vintage performances in key league fixtures.