Diego Costa has been on a purple patch this season for Chelsea – notching 13 goals out of 17 Premier League appearances this campaign. Besides sitting at the summit of the top scorer chart, the Spaniard has also contributed 5 assists.
Last time out, the imposing striker offered the perfect early Christmas present for the club as he scored the winning goal against Crystal Palace with a deft header. Acknowledging his impressive contribution, the Londoners are interested in rewarding him with a new and improved contract.
He was signed from Atletico Madrid for £32 million back in 2014 with a five-year contract worth £150,000 a week and took the league by storm. His current deal keeps him at Stamford Bridge until 2019. According to Daily Mirror, the club is looking to offer him around £200,000 a week for a two-year extension.
Considering his current form, it’s difficult to think of a forward that is more prolific than him in England’s top flight thus sorting out his future is key for the club. Conte’s new tactics and formation have brought the best out of the 28-year-old. Also, whenever the blueprint itself seem to be all doom and gloom, Costa manages to grind out something from his sheer scoring appetite and physical dominance. Case in point is his solo strike against West Brom that came out of the blue when the match was heading to a drab goalless draw.
The Blues does ooze quality in their ranks yet his attributes are less tangible by any players as of now. Therefore, extending his commitment to the club is far more significant than bringing in new faces into the fold. Besides that, clubs from China are more than willing to pay through their nose to secure top stars and one wouldn’t know when they might turn their attention to Costa.
Even so, a slight scare occurred last season when Costa was reportedly unsettled in England and was eyeing a return to Spain. Alike Chelsea, the Spaniard had a disastrous spell previously, he looked off colours and only notched 16 goals in all competition. It does seem like a good return yet having seen his full potential the season before, it wasn’t the real Costa that defenders are afraid of. Somehow the talks of him leaving were put to bay and under his new boss, he is back with a bang. Not forgetting, Conte has also helped Costa to polish up his disciplinary act. Prior to last weekend’s encounter at Selhurst Park, he stayed out of the referee’s notepad for 10 matches.
A pointless foul on Joe Ledley saw him picking up his 5th yellow card of the campaign and he will miss the next match against Bournemouth at home on Boxing Day. Without his star striker and N’golo Kante, who also serves a one-match suspension, Conte’s tactics could be put to test.
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