A lot of people questioned Diego Costa when Chelsea signed him. Despite a huge season with Atletico some pundits thought he was a one season wonder and wouldn’t deliver in the Premier League. This forgets the fact that he is 25 and cost £32 million, making him a potential bargain, given the current market cost for forwards of that calibre. Costa though has proven an instant hit at Chelsea scoring four in his first three Premier League games and looking consistently poised in front of goal. His two goals versus Everton mean he has netted four times from nine efforts, a chance conversion of 44.44%. Clinical. His tally of four puts him at just one fewer goal than Fernando Torres scored over 28 appearances last season. The AC bound striker converted just 13.5% of his efforts. The difference between forwards couldn’t be starker. Chelsea just looked a lot more threatening with him in the side. His movement was incredible, whether peeling off out wide (which he did to play a hand in Branislav Ivanovic’s goal) or by excellently timing his runs behind the back four- as he did for the opener. Torres just didn’t have this astute play in his locker, nor did he have the confidence and killer touch of Diego Costa. In the reverse fixture last season Chelsea looked hopeless (Torres started that game), but this time Chelsea threatened every time they went forward and it is no surprise with Diego Costa as the spear head of the attack. It’s not just the goals that have had an impact. He’s won two headers per game, created two chances per game and also averaged 1.7 clearances and 1.3 tackles per game. An excellent contribution for a forward. Versus Everton we saw him storm back to cover his right flank and win a great slide tackle for example. His work rate is incredible. Crucially though Chelsea went to a ground they failed to score at last year and fired six past a very good Everton team. As a collective (and largely down to Cesc Fabregas also) Chelsea look so much more likely to score with Costa in the side, bullying and charging at defenders. Costa looks a brilliant signing and Chelsea look far better with him in the side. Adios Fernando Torres, you will not be missed!
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 04:57:14 +0000
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