last season, 20 goals in 44 appearances as a second striker

 

TBF it is 10 league goals in 31 league appearances. Those aren't great numbers in Spain. 

 

To put that in perspective it is less than Helder Postiga and Carlos Vela and Piti and Aduriz and Higuain and Ruben Castro; and less than half of Soldado (24 league goals and £25m) and Negredo (25 league goals and £16m). 

 

He may be the flavour of the month (he also may be as good as some here are making out) but he is far less proven (or tried and tested) than Negredo, who went for less than half what we are talking about. Costa has had one season where he has produced the goal-scoring form of a top striker in Spain; this one, and he's only just come out of a slump where he scored 4 goals in 15 games. 

 

If Jose looks at him and thinks he's going to improve the team; fine. But he isn't a "tried and tested" top level striker and £35m isn't cheap for a player coming off the back of one good season who wouldn't have cost a third of that a year ago. 

 

Not to mention those 20 goals last season were playing in attacking midfield behind Falcao who is hardly a selfless provider

 

He wasn't a second striker or an attacking midfielder. 

 

He played up front in a conventional two. 

 

Falcoa actually links up play pretty well too, just look at his assist for Costa's goal in last season's Copa Del Rey final. 

I must admit. I'm beginning to warm up to the idea of Costa. Seems the best deal out there at the minute. Though its shouldn't come at the price of Courtois.

Another player who keeps popping up here and there in the rumour mill is Hulk. But again, its another story that runs hot and cold. I don't particularly know much about Hulk if I'm honest. Though he looks like a beast. Anyone?

Edit: just noticed a thread about Hulk, going to check that out..

Edited March 21, 201412 yr by theblueone

It's easy to write Costa off. However, realistically how many better strikers are there for the taking? Both Spain and Brazil wanted him, I'm sure managers of those 2 countries are less knowledgable than an average poster here.

It's easy to write Costa off. However, realistically how many better strikers are there for the taking? Both Spain and Brazil wanted him, I'm sure managers of those 2 countries are less knowledgable than an average poster here.

Spain maybe regretting it, his perfromance in the Italy games was shockingly poor in their set up.

Spain maybe regretting it, his perfromance in the Italy games was shockingly poor in their set up.

 

Spain haven't got a lot of striking options though do they?

 

Negrado has had a good season for City but Torres and Soldado have both had seasons where I don't think they can have too many complaints if they don't go to the World Cup. 

 

Llorente looks to have done okay at Juventus stats wise but I haven't actually watched him play. Even at 32 Villa still seems one of their best strikers so I think Costa will get his chances, though I do find it strange he didn't choose to play for Brazil. 

Spain haven't got a lot of striking options though do they?

Negrado has had a good season for City but Torres and Soldado have both had seasons where I don't think they can have too many complaints if they don't go to the World Cup.

Llorente looks to have done okay at Juventus stats wise but I haven't actually watched him play. Even at 32 Villa still seems one of their best strikers so I think Costa will get his chances, though I do find it strange he didn't choose to play for Brazil.

I'd go with Negredo personally, although with the way Spain play they don't really always use a striker as sorts.

Spain haven't got a lot of striking options though do they?

 

Negrado has had a good season for City but Torres and Soldado have both had seasons where I don't think they can have too many complaints if they don't go to the World Cup. 

 

Llorente looks to have done okay at Juventus stats wise but I haven't actually watched him play. Even at 32 Villa still seems one of their best strikers so I think Costa will get his chances, though I do find it strange he didn't choose to play for Brazil.

He would of been perfect for Brazil, with him leading the line I'd have no doubts they'd win the World Cup

I'd go with Negredo personally, although with the way Spain play they don't really always use a striker as sorts.

 

He's used Fabregas as the false 9 before but I think sometimes there is no compensating for a good old fashioned target man and I would agree that Negredo looks the business.

 

Spain will probably take 2 or 3 strikers to the World Cup regardless though and I would assume Costa will be one of them. 

 

He would of been perfect for Brazil, with him leading the line I'd have no doubts they'd win the World Cup

 

Scolari apparently doesn't fancy him as a player, he got called up for a couple of friendlies but for whatever reason he then changed international allegiances to Spain. 

last season, 20 goals in 44 appearances as a second striker

 

season before that, 10 goals in 16 appearances for rayo

 

 

hardly a flash in the pan

 

Also, mate. I believe I read that he got injured during pre season before he went to Vallecano and missed the majority of the season due to that. I think 10 goals in 16 appearances is pretty good going, especially for being injured for the majority of those. 

Edited March 21, 201412 yr by enigma

I don't think costa is the answer, I think lukaku is our long term future and from what I've seen from eto'o this season he could lead the line for 1 or 2 more with lukaku constantly proving himself and learning. Next season i'd play a 4-3-3 with eto'o or lukaku up the middle and hazard and a possible purchase of griezmann on the other side. He scores for fun from the wing. So midfield and attack would look like this: -

DM: Matic, luiz

Cm: Ramires, van ginkel

Am: Oscar, willian

LF: Hazard, Schurle

RF: Griezmann, salah

CF: eto'o, lukaku

Only time will tell to see what the master tactician will choose, but it's always fun to speculate.

I don't think costa is the answer, I think lukaku is our long term future and from what I've seen from eto'o this season he could lead the line for 1 or 2 more with lukaku constantly proving himself and learning. Next season i'd play a 4-3-3 with eto'o or lukaku up the middle and hazard and a possible purchase of griezmann on the other side. He scores for fun from the wing. So midfield and attack would look like this: -

DM: Matic, luiz

Cm: Ramires, van ginkel

Am: Oscar, willian

LF: Hazard, Schurle

RF: Griezmann, salah

CF: eto'o, lukaku

Only time will tell to see what the master tactician will choose, but it's always fun to speculate.

 

We dont need Griezmann we have Schurrle they are similar players and also he likes to play on the left wing and cut in.

http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/chelsea-stop-search-for-striker-after-getting-target-almost-wrapp

 

According to Le10 Cavani's camp have told them we're no longer interested as we've almost tied up Diego Costa.

 

Ties in with what Sky Italia were saying earlier this week.

Suarez and aguero would both cost more then 65 mill now, cavani not much short of that. Our choice is to uncover a gem or go with one of the midrange models

Aguero is a great striker, but how much football has he played lately? He's always injured. Either City are really poor at keeping players fit, or his injury is worse than suspected.

I'd go with Negredo personally, although with the way Spain play they don't really always use a striker as sorts.

Yes!!! I wouldnt say no to seeing Alvaro Negredo in a Chelsea shirt. He is a great frontman but seems wasted at City since eyebrows has some unbelievable amount of faith in Djeko (who I don't really rate) and Jovetic. (His epic dive against us had me in hysterics. He took drama classes at school!!!)

Edited March 22, 201412 yr by theblueone

Aguero is a great striker, but how much football has he played lately? He's always injured. Either City are really poor at keeping players fit, or his injury is worse than suspected.

Yes!!! I wouldnt say no to seeing Alvaro Negredo in a Chelsea shirt. He is a great frontman but seems wasted at City since eyebrows has some unbelievable amount of faith in Djeko (who I don't really rate) and Jovetic. (His epic dive against us had me in hysterics. He took drama classes at school!!!)

 

Negredo has 9 goals in 24 league appearances. Thats quite lacklustre on its own, let alone when you consider how prolific Man CIty are

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumours-news/2014/3/24/5540038/chelsea-fc-transfer-target-diego-costa-scouting-report-player-profile

Of the options he's the one I want us to sign

I like the thought of a Lukaku and Costa partnership...sounds brutal...

Too many people are massively underrating Costa in this thread. He's exactly what we need. He's got the ability, the presence and is clinical. Would love to go into next season with Costa, Lukaku and Eto'o. 

I don't think costa is the answer, I think lukaku is our long term future and from what I've seen from eto'o this season he could lead the line for 1 or 2 more with lukaku constantly proving himself and learning. Next season i'd play a 4-3-3 with eto'o or lukaku up the middle and hazard and a possible purchase of griezmann on the other side. He scores for fun from the wing. So midfield and attack would look like this: -

DM: Matic, luiz

Cm: Ramires, van ginkel

Am: Oscar, willian

LF: Hazard, Schurle

RF: Griezmann, salah

CF: eto'o, lukaku

Only time will tell to see what the master tactician will choose, but it's always fun to speculate.

 

but that would mean he would be choosing between Oscar and Willian for one position? Willian will be starting out right and I could see us going for Barkley as backup to Oscar. We need a few more home-grown players with Terry/Lamps/Cole getting on.

A good article on Costa

 

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumours-news/2014/3/24/5540038/chelsea-fc-transfer-target-diego-costa-scouting-report-player-profile

 

this quote from sid lowe was great

 

Diego Costa says that he never takes his work home with him. Which is probably a good thing. If he did, the Atlético Madrid striker might walk through the door, goad the dog with a stick, surreptitiously elbow his wife out of the way on the stairs, shrug his shoulders innocently as she lay in a crumpled heap at the bottom and whisper insults to his children, look the other way and whistle when they burst into tears. He might stroll into the living room and dramatically collapse on the floor, roll around the rug holding his head and appeal for a penalty. He might even get it too.

Saw Arsenal are also looking at him now...although if it was down to both he'd surely pick ourselves.

I really don't know how I feel about Diego Costa signing for Chelsea to be honest. On the one hand he seems like the exact player we should be looking at and the profile in the link that Lane put up illustrates that perfectly. Strong and great on the ball, he would be the perfect compliment to our attacking trio. God, he looks like the complete striker package!

 

On the other hand, his antics on the pitch disgust me. I'm all for not making players role models and letting their personal off the field life their business but the stuff he pulls is truly heinous. As someone who would never want to see Luis Suarez in a Chelsea shirt, I don't see much difference between the two. I don't mind trash talking and being a general ass to the opposition. Going down a little easy also doesn't bother me too much. But spitting and throwing snot? Sneaky elbows and sh*t like that? Ugh, it annoys me to be honest. Balotelli might be a nut case but I have never seen him pull some of the stuff that Costa has.

Costa for 35 would be a great deal. Clinical and the worst striker you could get in a game as a CB

Never knew he was as bad as that?

I really don't know how I feel about Diego Costa signing for Chelsea to be honest. On the one hand he seems like the exact player we should be looking at and the profile in the link that Lane put up illustrates that perfectly. Strong and great on the ball, he would be the perfect compliment to our attacking trio. God, he looks like the complete striker package!

On the other hand, his antics on the pitch disgust me. I'm all for not making players role models and letting their personal off the field life their business but the stuff he pulls is truly heinous. As someone who would never want to see Luis Suarez in a Chelsea shirt, I don't see much difference between the two. I don't mind trash talking and being a general ass to the opposition. Going down a little easy also doesn't bother me too much. But spitting and throwing snot? Sneaky elbows and sh*t like that? Ugh, it annoys me to be honest. Balotelli might be a nut case but I have never seen him pull some of the stuff that Costa has.

Not condoning it whatsoever because I think it's the lowest of the low to spit etc.. But in the game it happened, Ramos and Pepe were elbowing, stamping, taunting, grabbing him by the throat and so on all game long, not excusing it but it must be annoying.