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Diego Costa, not Eden Hazard, is the key to Chelsea’s season

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates after he scores to make it 0-1 during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates after he scores to make it 0-1 during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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No matter what you think about Chelsea forward Diego Costa’s tactics, you can’t deny his results over the last five matches

Forward Diego Costa holds the key to reviving Chelsea’s season. Blame Jose Mourinho or credit Guus Hiddink, but there’s no doubt that Chelsea striker Diego Costa’s form has picked up over the last five matches. The Spanish striker has reverted the form that made him unplayable, and Chelsea champions last season.

It’s not just the six goals and two assists that Costa has recorded over the last five Premier League matches that show he his back to his old ways. It’s the way that he’s conducted himself out on the pitch. He’s once again found the perfect balance between instigator and goal scorer that make him such a nightmare for opposing defenders.

His much discussed run in the Arsenal match which ended with a Per Mertesacker red card is a perfect example of what Costa does best. He is the ultimate Premier League villain. All he needs is to wear a black hat on the pitch to complete the outfit.

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What he did in drawing that red card wasn’t against the rules or even immoral. It straddled the line between clever and dirty as only Costa can. It’s just the type of move that makes opposing fans detest him but the Chelsea faithful fall in love.

As much as Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic feels that Eden Hazard must regain his form to save Chelsea’s season, it’s actually Costa whose performance matters much more for the Blues. Hiddink’s club just doesn’t have quality options behind their villainous striker.

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In contrast, Hazard’s absence can be overcome by outstanding play by Chelsea’s other wide attackers like Pedro, Willian or Oscar. If Costa is out of form, Chelsea has to turn to the likes of Loic Remy for support. There’s no comparison in the replacement options for Costa and Hazard.

That’s why Costa’s form is so important to Chelsea. Despite his excellent play over the last five matches, fans at Stamford Bridge have reason to be concerned. Those five performances can’t completely plaster over what had been a disappointing season for Costa beforehand.

The key to Chelsea’s season will lie in whether or not Costa can maintain his level of play from the past five games. If he can, it opens up a world of possibilities for the club. Perhaps they can even get hot enough to mount a challenge for a top four spot. That’s a huge hill to climb, but an in-form striker can do wonders for a team’s performance.

In order to stay in form, Costa has to manage both the emotional and physical aspects of his game. He simply must continue to balance his confrontations and contributions for his side. He can’t get too carried away with agitating his opponents. When he becomes too focused on that aspect of his game, his ability to find the back of the net tends to elude him.

The importance of Eden Hazard’s play to the remainder of Chelsea’s season certainly is important. He has world-class ability that can greatly aid his side’s attack. However, it’s the form of hulking striker Diego Costa that will determine Chelsea’s ability to salvage something from their nightmare campaign.

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