3. Diego Costa will be walking a thin line this season
Second match and a second late winner from Costa. Not only that, but another yellow card and a controversy as to whether the Spanish striker should have been on the pitch.
The Premier League is tightening their approach to dissent this season. Disrespectful actions, such as confronting the referee aggressively, will be punished with a yellow card.
Costa fell foul of the rules in the first game and he again surrounded himself in controversy on Saturday. Many argued that he should have received a second yellow card for a blatant dive.
Diego Costa is an angry man and we are often treated to his random outbursts against defenders and referees. Such antics are a part of the player.
He is not only about goals. Costa is the complete package who winds up defenders and draws them to commit mistakes while urging referees to give decisions.
This new ruling is a restrictive policy which means Costa has to restrain himself, a word which the Chelsea forward doesn’t relate to.
Times are changing and Costa has to adapt to the alterations or risk getting a red card. The fans are excited when he enters the pitch but are also equally scared of being reduced to ten men.
Chelsea have started well enough and are on course for a good season, but Costa is a threat to the cause. He should act with caution. At the moment, he is indeed walking on a very thin line.
Next: 4. Why 4-1-4-1 when 4-2-4/4-4-2 is better?