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Non-appreciation, anguish and pain are the components which have formed the potent element that is Chelsea’s Diego Costa. The Ibérian-Brazilian striker will tell you of his misery when repeatedly marginalised and belittled at Atletico Madrid, first in favour of Sergio Aguero, the Argentine’s excellence forcing Costa into a loan move to Albacete, and then Radamel Falcao. It was only when Falcao departed, to Monaco in a lucrative move, that Diego Simeone appreciated Costa’s talents.
He rewarded the Argentine’s faith with 27 goals in 34 appearances in the Spanish La Liga, guiding Atlético to a historic league title, and he could guide Chelsea to a trophy of the similar illustrious ilk. On Sunday, the skilled 25 year-old will represent Chelsea’s enviable firing power at the Etihad Stadium, when Manchester City prepare to apply the handbrakes to Chelsea’s stunning start to the season. The last time Jose Mourinho visited the Etihad, in February of last year, he adopted a strategy intended to resist, mainly due to his dearth of a clinical, ferociously merciless centre-forward.
Now he has panache and efficiency at his disposal in Costa. Will Vincent Kompany be able to shackle Costa? The answer is speculative, but the Belgian must not be under any illusions of the strenuous task which awaits. There is talk of an injury blighting the forward but he is a fighter, overcoming a thigh problem to score a hat-rick against Swansea last week. Some take weeks, months or years to adapt to the unique adversities posed by English football, but he took only 17 brief minutes, scoring emphatically against Burnley. It was his Premier League debut, with heavy pressure exerted on his shoulders and a £32 million price-tag to satisfy, but he was unfazed, dazzling English audience. He bewildered and disgruntled the entirety of Burnley’s porous defence with intelligent movement and strength.
The Spain international was alert to emphatically score Chelsea’s equaliser at Turf Moor, anticipating the imminent passage of play. Wrongly booked for simulation, he dived unequivocally into contention for the Premier League Golden Boot.
He is a pleasing combination of technique, skill, strength and power. How do you solve a problem like Costa? Leicester City’s endeavours to improve on Burnley’s search for an answer were desperate, the striker’s sagacious movement fooling Wes Morgan as he finished coolly.
Then came the passion, pugnacity and intimidation which formed a notorious reputation to evoke tension in Spanish football. Irritated by Seamus Coleman’s winding-up efforts, Costa cynically celebrated Eden Hazard’s goal at Goodison Park in a game where he registered an impressive brace. Mid-way through Chelsea’s deceiving obliteration of Swansea City, Gary Lineker tweeted “Costa is a beast of a centre-forward” but not only is he the epitome of a strong striker with nimble, creative feet, Costa’s brain functions to impressive heights.
It was his mesmerising runs and dribbles which secured his first hat-trick in English football. A header and two delightful left-footed efforts. His two-footedness is an aspect of his game which is often over-looked, but it is crucial in augmenting his goals tally.
