The Daily Rojiblanco: September 5, 2017

• Diego Costa left off Chelsea’s Champions League Roster

Chelsea have left striker Diego Costa off their Champions League roster, per reports. While this is not surprising considering group stage play will begin next week, it is a potential positive for Atlético Madrid.

At this time it seems likely that Costa will return to Atlético in January when the club’s registration ban is lifted. By not including Costa in their UCL squad, Chelsea prevent the player from becoming cup tied to them, which means he could play in the competition for Atlético after the group stage.

While Atlético certainly have their work cut out for them against Chelsea, AS Roma, and Qarabağ FK in the group stage, recent history suggests they should be a player during the knockout rounds. Adding Costa to their ranks at that stage of the competition — assuming he’s match fit — would be a welcome offensive boost.

• Luis Aragonés gets his plaque on the Walk of Legends

One of the coolest features of Estadio Wanda Metropolitano will be the Paseo de Leyendas, located on the stadium’s west side. Along the path, there will be commemorative plaques honoring every Atlético player who put on the iconic red and white stripes for 100 or more games.

Luis Aragonés is the latest to have his plaque installed, thanks to his 370 appearances as a player (612 if one adds the games he coached). The plaque installation began last week and there are several more names — past and present — set to join the late Aragonés.

• Deal nearing for Lautaro Martínez

Atlético and Racing Club are set to finalize a deal for Argentine starlet Lautaro Martínez. Such a move has been mooted before and the current report suggests a €15 million fee for the player. Martínez, 20, is expected to remain with Racing Club for this season, before joining Atlético next summer. He scored nine times in 23 appearances for Racing last season and he’s scored eight times in only 11 games for the Argentina U20 side.