Just when it seemed Liverpool couldn’t sign a more antagonising, irritating nuisance of player after they snapped up Iago Aspas, interest has emerged in Diego Costa. Despite these descriptions, both have one thing in common: they’re good players.
Costa’s status has been one of infamy in Spain for his run-ins with Sergio Ramos, first during his loan at Rayo Vallecano when taking a Ramos elbow to the chin then again on several occasions with Atletico Madrid. These run-ins, along with various other players and teams, have overshadowed the fact how much his game has improved from a footballing point of view. 59 yellow cards and 7 red cards in over 160 games since coming to Spain doesn't help.
Costa’s beginnings are fascinating. He never had any interest in football until later in his teens, instead wanting to “work, earn money, and take a girl out for a meal”. An incident when he couldn’t afford a date for a certain love interest embarrassed him badly, and stuck with him. He didn’t play in any team until he was 16, even then his background hindered him. There was no natural footballing ability in Costa, it was pure street football. “My school has been the street” he told Spanish outlet El Pais in an interview.
That this hot-headed youngster would play a part in him being spotted by a scout is perhaps no surprise. A member of Jorge Mendes’ scouting department came to watch a game that featured Costa, but it was a game he shouldn’t have even been playing in. Costa had slapped an opponent and subsequently went for the referee, earning himself a four month ban. Somehow he managed to escape the sentence, and impress the visiting scout.
A stint in Portugal with Sporting Braga was then followed by a move to Spain and Atleti, who loaned him out on various occasions, which Costa himself cites as vital and led to him meeting some important figures in his steps to becoming this now recognised striker and Liverpool target. A few professional issues have been overcome, including turning up for pre-season overweight and the odd punctuality problem.
At Atleti last season he blossomed not with grace but instead with vigour. There were many ups and downs in terms of his football, from being substituted by Diego Simeone because of his temper, poor decision-making on the ball and lack of composure when in front of goal. Costa’s lack of early football training are perhaps to blame, and what lessons others will learn when they’re 13 or 14 he’s learned at 20 or 21.
What Costa offered though was invaluable, especially to a team like Atleti built in the style of their equally fiery coach Simeone. He too was a temperamental character and has perhaps seen something of himself in Costa, and the guidance offered by the Argentinean has been extremely fruitful. Costa’s aggressive not only in the literal sense of the word but his style of play is too - he's quick, raw, powerful and generally explosive.
Costa’s not one for patience, instead he looks to hit defences directly and drive at them not with the technique or agility, but pure forcefulness, bullying them. He’s shown slight glimpses of that Samba flair but they’ve been extremely fleeting, as he prefers to focus on the natural elements to his game like strength and pace.
Off the ball he’s improved massively too, again another chink in his armour created by Simeone. He hustles and presses off the ball closing down defenders and midfielders, making sure his warm breath runs down their necks.
It’s running with intelligence and dropping deep, supporting the defensive phases, that have impressed too. His positional sense has been praised by Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Brazil coach who recently called him up to the full squad, because of the smart moves he makes and decisions taken when without possession.
Radamel Falcao also spoke glowingly of his ex-teammate with much of the Colombian’s end product the result of a Costa move pulling away a defender, or even directly assisting. Costa’s been often deployed wide right (with licence to cut in) and as a second striker, either way showing flexibility in the front line. Aspas’ traits are similar too, when it comes to positioning.
Without the lack of a natural creative player, Costa’s timely influence has been vital behind the line of attack and within it. His goal against Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey showed his versatility and striking prowess, as he timed a run and latched onto the end of a Falcao pass. Costa bent his run and made himself the focal point of the attack. A move like this was unthinkable a year before, Costa was looked upon as simply too raw.
It’s worth keeping in mind Costa has just the single season of genuine success behind him, but the potential is there with a view to making him a real force. €22m is a significant amount of money in this regard but the market these days has its way of dictating things for various players of type. The doubts about Costa's temperament are clear and obvious, but so should his talent and ability – often these parts are ignored.
