Chelsea FC’s Diego Costa Wants To Improve For Spain
Chelsea FC striker Diego Costa has fit in seamlessly at Stamford Bridge. He has quickly become a fan favorite and last season was scoring goals with ease against Premier League defenses. His style has fit the way Jose Mourinho likes his teams to play and he has become the ideal target man for the Chelsea attack.
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Unfortunately the same cannot be said about Diego Costa’s place in the Spain squad. The striker, despite being born and raised in Brazil, made the controversial decision to represent his adopted homeland of Spain. This even after he had made his debut for Brazil in a friendly against Italy.
Even the most casual of football fans could see that he would have a hard time fitting in with the tiki-taka possession style of Spain. He is a more traditional target man than former Spain strikers David Villa or Fernando Torres. Costa relies on physicality and strength rather than a smooth first touch or speed to run on to through balls from midfield.
The striker knows that he is not an ideal fit for Spain’s style but he also knows that scoring goals will solve any of those issues. He spoke at length, as quoted by Goal.com, about needing to score and adapting to the style of his teammates.
"“I think what’s missing is that I need to score goals. Every game, I’m getting better physically. I know I can give a lot more to the team and hopefully that will start right now. Strikers need to score goals; that’s what I’ve been lacking here.“When I score, my confidence will be higher and everything will come together. We have very skilful players and I don’t have any excuses; I have to do things better.“I’m getting to know my team-mates better and, although the style is different for me, there are great players here. I need confidence. Adapting to this style is easy.“I feel that I owe the team, I haven’t done anything yet. I have to repay the faith that has been placed in me. Maybe I have been a bit nervous but that’s why it’s important to play well now.”"
We all know what Diego Costa is capable of when he is on form. He scored 20 goals in the Premier League last season despite missing what was essentially the final three months of the campaign through injury. He is a truly world-class striker when he is healthy and in tune with his teammates which he has managed at Chelsea but not quite yet with Spain.
The striker is in a bit of goal-drought however as he has scored just four goals in 20 matches for club and country. He won a penalty for Spain against a tough Slovakia side and scored a vital goal against West Bromwich Albion but if Chelsea FC hope to bring home any silverware this season and Spain hope to win Euro 2016 he will have to get back to his best.
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