Diego Costa has surprised Chelsea players with his ability, claims Jose Mourinho

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Jose Mourinho claims Chelsea players are 'so surprised' at Diego Costa's ability, and that the Spain striker is the team player the club have lacked in the front line over recent seasons.

Costa, who arrived at Stamford Bridge for £32million from Atletico Madrid in July, has impressed the Chelsea boss so far in pre-season, scoring in the 2-1 friendly win over Olimpija Ljubljana last week. 

Costa scored 36 goals in 52 games in all competitions for Atletico Madrid last season, but Mourinho insists he is more than just a goalscorer, having set up two of Chelsea's goals in the 3-1 friendly win over Vitesse Arnhem.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch to watch Diego Costa score his first Chelsea goal

Welcome surprise: Jose Mourinho says Chelsea players have been shocked at how good Diego Costa is

Team player: Mourinho insists Costa (right) will benefit other Chelsea stars this season

At last: Mourinho seems content at finally having a varied front line at Chelsea

Mourinho told Sky Sports News: 'He’s a great addition for us. He is a fantastic player. Technically he is very, very good.

'That’s why lots of the players are so happy and so surprised, because his quality is even higher than what they expect. 

'He's so strong physically and gives so much effort during matches. He’s a great addition for us. He's a fantastic player.

'When somebody sees him play the first thing that gets into their eyes is exactly that, the capacity to work hard for the team.'

Mourinho also seemed content with finally forming an attack with variety,selling Romelu Lukaku and Demba Ba while bringing in Didier Drogba and Costa. On club legend Droba, Mourinho says the killer instinct is still very much alive. 

Still at the top: Mourinho says Drogba has returned to Chelsea with the same killer instinct and attitude

VIDEO Mourinho and Drogba's quotes on his return and the coming season  

Racing through: Costa scored 36 goals in all competitions for Atletico Madrid last season

Competition: Diego Costa and Fernando Torres both get involved as competition for places at Chelsea hots up

He added: 'To have Costa, Torres and Drogba as our strikeforce is something that gives us different qualities. We're strong in that position now.

'The killer instinct is there [in Drogba], the technique to score goals is still there. He is still very strong physically.

'Mentally he's exactly the same. Every competitive situation in training, his desire to compete and to win is always there.'