Everton FC manager Roberto Martinez spoke to The Guardian and praised Chelsea FC target Diego Costa and thinks he is they key to Spain’s success at the World Cup in Brazil. The Atletico Madrid striker chose to represent Spain rather than his native country of Brazil and he is likely to be La Furia Roja’s first choice forward this summer.
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Roberto Martinez on Diego Costa being Spain’s “x-factor”:
"“They wanted to win the country’s first European Championships for years, then the first World Cup, then three tournaments in a row. Now they have the final target to be the first European team to win the World Cup in South America. The individuals are superb and the way they play is very clear so youngsters can fit in. Now they have the extra element of Diego Costa, an ex-Brazilian who you can imagine is going to bring a lot of spice. Against Brazil last summer they needed to find a way to get out of their own half and they can add that to their play now with Costa. I do feel Spain is still the team to beat.”"
Martinez also commented on the criticism of Spain’s tiki-taka style:
"“Having one way to play is not a negative. Being fantastic at what you do is a positive. Spain has always been the example of mastering what you do very well. The conditions are very different. The conditions will force Spain to find different solutions and the addition of Diego Costa can help that. As a team they will not accept changing because of what the opposition is doing on footballing terms, but I do believe the weather conditions and the South American way of playing means they will need more of an unknown quantity. Costa brings that.”"
The praise from Roberto Martinez is well deserved for Diego Costa and if he is healthy enough to play, he will make a major impact at the World Cup. Spain has lacked an in form forward since Fernando Torres became the injury plagued player that he is and none of his replacements in Alvaro Negredo, Roberto Soldado, or others have really stepped up. Costa adds another dimension to Spain’s attack and would do the same should he come to Stamford Bridge.