Chelsea FC: Is Costa the solution?

Article by e-Chelsea Correspondent Lee Beevor

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Whilst our Champions League exit to Atlético Madrid was a painful experience, it provided an opportunity to study two potential Chelsea players at close hand. That the occasion was a European semi-final, under the very highest pressure, was a perfect audition for the challenges they would face should they join our club.

Of course technically one already is ours, as Thibaut Courtois is 3 years into a five year contract, albeit this time has been spent on loan. Having seen him on numerous occasions during his time at Atlético, I am convinced we must do whatever is necessary to retain his services. Any doubters witnessing his assured display on Wednesday night will surely have arrived at the same conclusion.

There have been rumours he was poised to sign a contract extension, with a final year’s loan preceding a return to Stamford Bridge as part of the terms. This was prior to the unfortunate injury to Petr Cech, who may yet miss the start of the 2014/15 campaign. For me this situation, coupled with the brilliance of Courtois, make his immediate recall to Chelsea a matter of urgency. Petr does not command his area as he did in the past, remaining rooted to his line on too many occasions for my comfort. By contrast our semi-final clash saw Courtois claiming everything, almost completely negating the aerial threat of JT, Cahill, Luiz, Ivanovic and latterly, Demba Ba. When we did muster an attempt on goal, the young Belgian was equal to it, making several fine saves and beaten only by a deflection.

Aside from the brilliant Courtois, my analytical eye paid close attention to the Atlético hitman, Diego Costa. Since his international debut for Spain against Italy this has been the case, as it has been widely reported he is to join us in the summer. To date, I am less enamoured with the prospect of Costa plying his trade at Stamford Bridge.

The price tag is a major issue, as in these days of Financial Fair Play (FFP), every huge fee has to be carefully considered. He is likely to be our only signing on this scale, but to go ahead with it, we must be certain he is the answer to our striking problems. On the evidence of what I have seen, he operates almost exclusively in the central area, ensuring he is always well positioned to score when the ball is played or breaks loose into dangerous areas. This I like very much, as it annoys me immensely that our forwards are forever leaving these spaces vacant. A classic example from the semi-final was an Eden Hazard cross from the left which curved menacingly at pace across the near post. Not only did Torres fail to make a run to meet it, he did not start to move until the ball had already arced harmlessly across the six yard box. With Costa I suspect this sight would be seldom seen, as he is actively seeking this type of chance.

Physically he is also perfect for the Premier League. He clearly enjoys a battle with the opponent’s centre backs, as evidenced with his entertaining tussle with our captain, both in Madrid and London. This trait would serve him well in English football, as there is less protection afforded from the “industrial” defender than in Spain. His goal output is another plus, as his 27 strikes attest. Despite these encouraging elements, I have my reservations. His first touch is terrible and having witnessed Demba attempting to control a football, I am well qualified to make this observation! Often Chelsea encounters massed defences, with almost every visiting side to the Bridge content to smother the game and take a point. With space at a premium, a poor touch usually surrenders possession. With

Mourinho’s history of operating with a target man, the ability to hold the ball up, or spread play to advancing midfielders is essential. My greatest fear however is with regard to his finishing. This may seem extremely harsh given his record, but what I have witnessed worries me all the same. Certainly he is ever willing and available to muster attempts on goal, but it seems to me too few are converted. The overall Premier League standard is higher to that of La Liga, with results such as those achieved by Sunderland of late all but impossible. My question is can he become more clinical, as he would surely need to in order to be a success at Chelsea? In conclusion, Costa is better than what we have in the current squad. But is he worth the FFP busting fee and contract that may preclude us from moving him on, should he fail to make the grade? I would personally prefer we try and tempt the unsettled Edison Cavani from PSG, as he offers the complete package. Ultimately, the decision will rest with Jose Mourinho, who retains my complete trust. Should he deem Costa to be the solution to our goal scoring problem, who am I to disagree!

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