Player Focus: Why Costa & Spain Could be the Right Blend

Atleti can't do without him, and now Vicente del Bosque thinks he may be the answer for the Spanish national team. As much as it may detest some to admit it, everyone right now would like a piece of Diego Costa. The striker has 8 goals in 7 games this term, 12 goals in his last 13, and he’s only failed to score in three of those.

“He’s playing well. He is one of the architects of Atleti’s good form at the moment” said Del Bosque recently, when quizzed about the possibility of a player who has already featured for Brazil, albeit in friendlies, getting a call-up for Spain. Eight of Atlético Madrid’s 19 goals in La Liga this season have been scored by Costa – a 42% contribution - and he shares the top scorer accolade in Spain right now in the prestigious company of Lionel Messi.

These are new heights for the forward; a player who admitted at one point nothing was further from his mind than becoming a footballer. Some would debate if he even is now, preferring to slander and insult a player that goes out of his way to rub opponents up the wrong way. Before it may have been through his rough tactics, now Costa’s goalscoring and all-round play are garnering the attention.

This season he’s received just the 1 yellow card and is going the right way about reducing the 11 he received last year, despite committing 2.1 fouls per game thus far. His attitude and demeanour are clearly mechanisms used to motivate himself, as opposed to provoking reactions from opponents. If he does wish to feature for Spain, he’d be advised to keep it clean – for many that was where Roberto Soldado fell foul of Del Bosque, with his haranguing of referees and general dissent on the field. In fact, of strikers in La Liga in the last 4 seasons only Soldado, with 39 yellows, has picked up more bookings than Costa, who has 35.

The disciplinary issue is not the only aspect of Costa’s game that appears to be improving. In the latter stages of last season, he made himself the most important player at Atleti despite what certain people may tell you about a certain Colombian now showcasing his talents at Monaco. The 24-year-old’s sacrifice for the good of the team was highly commendable, with a work ethic and intelligence creeping into his game that was difficult to contain. 10 goals in 24 starts last season plus 7 assists wasn’t a bad haul by any means, especially as Costa was only shooting, on average, 1.6 times per game and making 1.2 key passes per game.

The movement and nous he showed off the ball was his main contribution to the team, creating gaps for Falcao to move into and for the likes of Arda to exploit from deeper. Costa, situated on the right side of the attack as a winger/second striker was a work in progress, learning every game. He has touched on a lack of footballing education before, only rendered with spells at the likes of Rayo Vallecano and others. Last season, however, was his graduation of sorts, and Costa passed with flying colours.

Even with such success, he might not have expected to take on the role and responsibility he has this season. Costa has been flung into an out and out striking role, with all the aspects of his former game prevalent too. He’s shooting more often now, at 3 times per game, which is eighth overall in La Liga. Meanwhile he’s dribbling the most at Atleti, with 1.4 successful attempts per game, and is making 1.7 key passes on average - the second most at Atleti.

In the air he’s a threat too, and over the past 2 seasons in La Liga only Ronaldo, with 13, and Falcao, with 10, have scored more headed goals than Costa, on 9. Ask any Atleti fan what Costa had to work on other than his temperament and they’d say finishing, and it’s in this regard that he’s perhaps improved most. Costa is now clinical in front of goal. His direct and physical nature always made him a threat for centre-backs, but his improved eye for goal increases an already considerable threat. His already respectable 20% conversion rate from last season is up to an admittedly unsustainable 38.1% this time around.

Now the next step in the journey that has taken him from the streets of Brazil, where he fought tooth and nail to create himself any semblance of a future, brings him to the fore of International football. Do Spain really need Costa though, should the paperwork that the RFEF and FIFA are processing finally come through? Despite the answer to the striking issue from some being Álvaro Negredo, Roberto Soldado, Fernando Torres or even Michu, the definitive one is that Spain do indeed need Costa.

Why would they turn down a player in such a state of brilliance? Spain, and Del Bosque, don’t have a striker quite like him. They don’t have someone who is such an abrasive, unorthodox threat to defences. Someone quite so willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of the team when chances are limited, but also on call to score goals when required.

Costa is now a goalscorer, and in this moment only Negredo can claim to be that. Michu is seen as an attacking midfield option in Del Bosque’s eyes, so we can rule the Swansea City man out. Costa has an ability to associate with play even outside of attacking phases, an ability to step back and perform defensive duties with his pressing and hustle. That much is such a key aspect of Spain’s football, and something it has been suggested is diminishing. Costa would revitalise a Spain team in need of a new fix and a new dimension.

“He’s a player with no ceiling, he can go all the way” said the man responsible for turning Costa into the beast that prowls in La Liga stadiums these days. At Atleti, they know this, it’s time for Spain to realise it too and capitalise on any hesitancy or mistake Brazil are making in not selecting him.

Should Diego Gosta be called up to the Spain squad? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below