Diego Costa appears to be only player in this Chelsea team with a safe starting role. Antonio Conte’s lack of trust in Michy Batshuayi could create issues.
Diego Costa has been amongst the goals in recent weeks, but most Chelsea fans will agree that he has been far from the player who scored for fun in the first half of the season. However, the striker is lacking any competition from the bench, with Antonio Conte seemingly unwilling to start Michy Batshuayi in the Premier League.
This was a topic for debate on the latest episode of The Blue Lions podcast (iTunes link). Site expert at The Pride Of London, Ajitesh Rasgotra, claimed that Costa essentially knows that he will start every game even if he is underperforming.
"It is frustrating that Conte does not trust Batshuayi enough to essentially threaten Costa’s place. I think Costa understands that, no matter what, he will start every game as Conte just doesn’t want to play Batshuayi and that is where the issue is."
Adding to the discussion, fellow POL expert George Perry stated that Costa’s hot and cold contributions is the most irritating aspect of his game.
"If he is not scoring goals, he really has no impact on the game. Eden Hazard can have a game like he did against Swansea where he didn’t score, but he controlled the game…Costa doesn’t really have that. He is either scoring, or he is non-existent."
The fellas then pointed out that Costa is currently doing just enough to keep his place as well. In his last two fixtures, the striker has contributed little to the contest before popping up late with an insurance goal.
More from The Pride of London
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea player ratings: Abysmal, reckless, wasteful
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea: 3 Blues talking points
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
Given that his job is to stick the ball in the back of the net, this makes it difficult to press for his benching. However, the lack of pressure from a backup striker does not help the situation.
Meanwhile, POL contributor, Travis Tyler, pointed to light at the end of the tunnel. Costa has shown an ability to be an asset when having an off-day before.
"If you look at the Arsenal game, he didn’t score in that, but everything he was doing off the ball was great. His runs were splitting Arsenal to pieces…He hasn’t been doing that since. Without the ball, his runs aren’t causing defenders to pull away and create openings to exploit."
So what is going on? Is there a deeper-rooted attitude problem that is causing Diego Costa to be lacklustre? Or is he just going through a bit of a rough patch? It’s now over to you so sound off in the comments below!