Diego Costa

[Blue Armour 4,436]

I worry more about his abysmal technique and all round play more than his little goal drought tbh. He offers nothing when he doesn't score.

His off-the-ball movement is still very good though, despite what can be said about his technique on the ball. That in itself is should be a big benefit to the three players behind him.

[iseah100 5,612]

He's shit

[Laugh1ngMan 393]

Don't think his hold up play is bad, once he gets the ball to his feet he actually does pretty well, he just has a tendency to go on a pointless dribble. I rather see him release the ball a little quicker but i could say the same about Matic/Willian/Hazard at times.

The only thing that definetly isn't good about his game is his aerial duels, he never seems to win any of them which is a problem if we are being pushed back because we don't have enough players who can pass themselves out of the pressure.

But nonetheless he still brings alot to the table when he doesn't score. He's always willing to hunt down the ball, sprinting back to aid the defence, making good runs etc.

I really appreciate the little things as well. Like on that break against West Ham were Ramires eventually hits the post. Hazard makes an amazing dribble, and Costa makes a smart move towards the ball for a quick 1-2 with Hazard to keep the move going. I mean just imagine that was Torres, we wouldn't have made it over the half-way line.

[Tomo 21,751]

I worry more about his abysmal technique and all round play more than his little goal drought tbh. He offers nothing when he doesn't score.

I think your exaggerating a bit, his overall play is nowhere near that bad, admittedly he has had a few shockers especially of late.

At the start of the season his all round play was top class, ignoring the goals for one minute I can't think of many bad decisions he made, technically or tactically, I remember because that was the thing I was liking the most about him even before the goals.

Also his off ball movement is brilliant, case in point against Arsenal when he dragged Mertesaker wide leaving Koscielny at Hazards mercy, and we were struggling in that game, without that moment Arsenal may have done what they did at The Ethiad, us breaking Arsenal down that afternoon was by no means 'a matter of when' that people made out. Then there was his goal in that game, his first touch completely took Chesney out of the picture, you don't do that with awful technique.

He may not be the most pleasing on the eye footballer there's ever been, but he's a bloody good striker.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

how do i make this thread go away

[Azul 1,615]

Costa just slacked off after the 3 game ban. I'm sure he'll be back on form, just take it easy guys lol.

[lionsden 4,689]

I think your exaggerating a bit, his overall play is nowhere near that bad, admittedly he has had a few shockers especially of late.

At the start of the season his all round play was top class, ignoring the goals for one minute I can't think of many bad decisions he made, technically or tactically, I remember because that was the thing I was liking the most about him even before the goals.

Also his off ball movement is brilliant, case in point against Arsenal when he dragged Mertesaker wide leaving Koscielny at Hazards mercy, and we were struggling in that game, without that moment Arsenal may have done what they did at The Ethiad, us breaking Arsenal down that afternoon was by no means 'a matter of when' that people made out. Then there was his goal in that game, his first touch completely took Chesney out of the picture, you don't do that with awful technique.

He may not be the most pleasing on the eye footballer there's ever been, but he's a bloody good striker.

If you believe his overall play is top class then we have different definition and recognition of what a top class general play is. One or two examples means absolutely nothing as even old washed up version of torres and chicharito have had moments or a few games where their overall play was really good but it's the consistency that separates the agueros from the costas in this regard. He has a great off the ball movement but so do poachers like chicharito.

And this has nothing to do with his game not "being easy on the eyes" prime drogba wasn't necessarily easy on the eye either but had a top class all round game.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

He was decisive in second goal vs spurs, I dont care if it was confirmed as own goal...without Costa, that wouldnt be a goal anyway. This is getting ridiculous btw, every player hits lack of form, the key is to regain it and Costa can do it, Im sure. Its his first season here and he is doing amazing job so far. And for the record, its not just Costa. Take a look at our performances overall, Cesc form, how many goals we scored,...in comparison with first six months. So its not just Costa, but whole team that is underperforming in 2015. If not for defenders, our results would be quite bad now.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Naaa just stating the facts you could argue apart from that Liverpool goal none of the other were in theory decisive goals. Still got lots of time to correct that though starting with PSG.

Okay I've seen enough... to the ignore list with you.

[Polo7 3,496]

If you believe his overall play is top class then we have different definition and recognition of what a top class general play is. One or two examples means absolutely nothing as even old washed up version of torres and chicharito have had moments or a few games where their overall play was really good but it's the consistency that separates the agueros from the costas in this regard. He has a great off the ball movement but so do poachers like chicharito.

And this has nothing to do with his game not "being easy on the eyes" prime drogba wasn't necessarily easy on the eye either but had a top class all round game.

I can guarantee you moaned about Drogba when he won the golden boot aswell. Its just in your DNA, you moan more than a woman getting pleasured.

[Jase 43,479]

Sometimes when you read the posts on TalkChelsea, it's hard not to think that there are some genuine wind up merchants around. There seems to be a silly obsession that our players have to score in every big game. Drogba didn't exactly do that over the years now, did he? Arsenal were the only side he consistently scored against. Barely scored against United and he only managed one here and there against Liverpool.

But there wasn't a big fuss then. Why? Because Drogba offered so much more than just his goals to our play and that's exactly Costa is doing for the team. The fact that we actually have a PROPER striker who ensures defenders pay attention to him right now, allows players like Hazard, Fabregas etc to shine and it's a huge shift from the dark days of having Flopres as our No.1 striker! If people aren't happy with the current situation, then maybe you guys should start a petition to bring Flopres back!

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

I worry more about his abysmal technique and all round play more than his little goal drought tbh. He offers nothing when he doesn't score.

For the love of fuck do you actually watch Chelsea play? He offers nothing? He offers everything.

He moves off the ball even if he doesn't get the ball creating space for others, he holds the ball up, he basically initiates the pressing when we do press because he is the first one to do it or he will drop in a bit deeper help out if we are sitting really deep.

Then you can talk about his passion when he plays, Torres would sulk about do fuck all, not even the basics of what you'd expect a 50M player to do but if Costa doesn't score you know your playing him because hes constantly there in your face no matter what, if he doesn't score you will always hear something about him, be it for apparently elbowing or stamping or pushing or whatever but hes always getting stuck in and doing his bit for the team. Some fans love players that graft like fuck and I am the same, Azpi, Costa, Ramires, Ivanovic, JT... all top players to me firstly because of their attitude and willingness to do what they have to topped off with their ability and quality in each position.

Jose said we needed players with balls after Palace beat us last year and he went and got one of the ballsiest player out there but no everyone is unhappy because if he don't score he does nothing. Its quite similar with Willian, he can play well but not score or assist but what he does is vital and that's also why Cuadrado has also struggled to get in the team despite many saying he was superior to Willian (as well as the fact hes not done much yet but that will come in time hopefully).

We are a different team this year mostly because of this man as well as Cesc and Courtois. Na still complain like fuck though wont we.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Hey Lionsden is entitled to his opinion

Is Aguero better technically - yes

But does Aguero have the same physical presence - no

It just depends on what you want to see in a striker. I'm not sure Aguero would work here, like I'm not sure Costa would cut it at City, although their move for Bony, could be argued as a step towards a physical striker...

We can't all have the same opinion - having somebody question your belief is not a bad thing, don't cheapen it by resorting to insults - analyse their arguments and construct a suitable response. That's what I'm going to try to do

[lionsden 4,689]

Hey Lionsden is entitled to his opinion

Is Aguero better technically - yes

But does Aguero have the same physical presence - no

It just depends on what you want to see in a striker. I'm not sure Aguero would work here, like I'm not sure Costa would cut it at City, although their move for Bony, could be argued as a step towards a physical striker...

We can't all have the same opinion - having somebody question your belief is not a bad thing, don't cheapen it by resorting to insults - analyse their arguments and construct a suitable response. That's what I'm going to try to do

Im used to it. They will cry and scream like a petulant kid because they can't handle a difference of opinion but that has never stopped me from expressing my views and im not about to stop now either

I just ignore those who counter my post with insult and emotional gargon as I always do.

That's why I absolutely respect posters like skipper, Tomo et al. they always present their views without ever resorting to insults.

[Madmax 9,219]

you could argue apart from that Liverpool goal none of the other were in theory decisive goals.

I don't know what you expect when you say 'decisive' because going by the normal definition of the word, he's been just that - "big games" or not. How does scoring the first goal of the game against Spurs and Everton not merit bring called decisive? How does killing off the game against Arsenal not merit being called decisive? There's the Liverpool one of course. Besides, he's missed most of the 'bigger' games anyway - United away, City home, Spurs home, Everton home ... do people want him to score from the stands? I know you'll point to the games at the Etihad, the Cup semis vs Liverpool and the Champions League - and fair enough, he was below par in some of them and could have done better but that doesn't take away from the occasions that he has contributed so stop trying to discredit him.

Apart from those, again, nearly all his goals so far have been 'decisive', as you'll see -

First goal of the game : Leicester home, West Brom home

Equalizer : Burnley away, Swansea home

Winner : Swansea home

Put the game to bed : Villa home, Hull home, West Ham home, Newcastle home