Sport
Controlling Costa key to Chelsea’s hopes
Controlling Costa key to Chelsea’s hopes
Antonio Conte has a real job on his hands at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have managed to win both of their opening fixtures but the Blues have struggled to inspire confidence on the terraces. Two late goals from Diego Costa have helped to preserve their unbeaten record but Chelsea supporters know how different these results could have been on another day.
The Spain international has already picked up two yellow cards and could easily have been sent off in both clashes. Costa’s temperament has always been a major issue but, with the Premier League looking to enforce stricter rules relating to dissent offences, he must be very wary of his actions throughout the campaign.
Sometimes a liability
Costa isn’t flawless; in fact, he has plenty of weaknesses. His disciplinary record is far from perfect and Conte’s main task is to keep the 26 year old focused on his football. If Costa can avoid picking up cautions and suspensions, Chelsea will reap rewards from his continued presence on the pitch – that much is obvious.
And to be fair, he is lethal when presented with an opportunity. After two fixtures, Costa has scored two very well taken goals and his special affinity with the Chelsea supporters is returning after last season’s struggles. While he regained his form under Guus Hiddink, many fans wanted the Spanish striker to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign.
On his day, Costa’s skillset has next to no boundaries. The sky is the limit. The Chelsea striker is widely regarded as one of the top frontmen in the Premier League and he is incredibly difficult to stop when he gets going. He isn’t Sergio Aguero or Zlatan Ibrahimović but he is a matchwinner; and Conte knows it.
Keep the faith in Costa
The Italian should build around the Chelsea striker and Conte may try to use his aggression and physicality to fuel his desire to succeed. Both men are natural winners and the Conte Costa partnership is almost a match made in heaven. You can already see a clear bond between the two and Chelsea fans will be licking their lips at the thought of challenging for the title again.
Costa cannot afford to get drawn into petty, off the ball arguments with opposing players – unfortunately, his reputation will act against him. He isn’t a saint by any means but Costa’s history could hinder his chance of retribution. Everybody deserves the opportunity to change and Conte may be the right man to get the most out of him in a positive way.
With Conte’s help, the Chelsea frontman could well regain his 2014/15 form and that bodes ill for the rest of the Premier League. Costa was immense that season and his goals were a big reason for Chelsea’s title triumph. After two victories despite producing a less than convincing performance, the Blues might be destined for something special this season.
Chelsea aren’t going to run away with the title like they did back then but Conte and Costa will have a big say in the destiny of the Premier League crown. If the Italian can calm his talented striker down, the title may be set to return to Stamford Bridge.
Write Diego Costa and Chelsea off at your peril…
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