Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Analysing Diego Costa’s statistical improvement for Chelsea under Antonio Conte
Diego Costa has been scoring goals all his Chelsea career, but this season he seems to have refound the same level he played at during his first term at the Blues. When he joined in the summer of 2014, everyone knew about the quality Costa possessed, but questions were raised as to whether he’d be able to perform in the Premier League.
38 league games later, of which Costa played 26 of them, the Spaniard had fired Chelsea to the title after scoring 20 goals. The Blue’s main man had stunned the Premier League with his ruthless finishing and aggressive play-style.
Many thought Costa would have a solid second season also, but he and the rest of his teammates went off the boil in what was a disastrous campaign for everyone associated.
Costa only managed 12 league goals last season as Jose Mourinho, the man who had guided Costa through a superb first season, was sacked after losing to eventual title winners Leicester. In 13 games, Costa had only found the net three times and a dressing room fallout, the Spaniard’s lack of goals were one of the main reasons for Mourinho’s exit.
Guus Hiddink took over until the end of the season and revitalised Costa, who managed to find the back of the net nine times from December until the final game of the season. Costa ended last season as Chelsea’s top scorer, however, this was always expected due to his lack of competition for the striker spot in the Chelsea side.
The form Costa showed over the second half of last season led many to believe Hiddink may get a longer contract, yet, after a great EURO 2016 with Italy, Antonio Conte got given the manager role at Chelsea.
Having signed Michy Batshuayi, doubts were raised over Costa’s future speculation of his return to Athletico Madrid. Many wondered if Conte would favour a player who has surrounding his behaviour. However, the Italian manager seems to have found the best way of motivating the Spanish striker and memories of his poor campaign last season are a thing of the past.
Costa has already found the back of the net more times than he did last season, having scored 15 goals in 23 appearances. Yet, it isn’t just goals the Spaniard is bringing to this impressive 3-4-3 system Conte operates. Costa is winning more duels than he did last season, having won 41% on average, compared to his 37% average last year.
The Spaniard has been a driving force for Chelsea as they push towards the Premier League title. The striker is drawing more fouls than last term while also completing more take-ons. Costa has beaten his man 41% of the time, as oppose to his 37% success rate last season.
The Spaniard, after his to China, will be looking to end the season strongly and repeat his first season feats by firing the Blues to the Premier League title.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by .