Diego Costa: Rejuvenated Chelsea striker is like a new signing for Guus Hiddink

Back to his best? Costa is back on the goal trail under Hiddink
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Simon Johnson13 January 2016

Many clubs are looking for a new striker this month, but Chelsea must feel they have already found one from within their own ranks in Diego Costa.

The Spain international is beginning to play again like the forward who made such an impact on his debut season in England following his £32 million transfer from Atletico Madrid in 2014.

Costa’s revival has coincided with the departure of Jose Mourinho as manager and the arrival of Guus Hiddink as his replacement. It is hard to argue against there being a connection. After all, Costa has already scored as many goals — four — in his three appearances under the Dutchman as he managed in 20 under Mourinho this term.

There was plenty of evidence that Costa and Mourinho were not on the best of terms by the end of the Special One’s reign. Anyone who witnessed their angry exchange at half-time during the Champions League match at Maccabi Tel Aviv could see the relationship was under strain. Five days later, Costa threw a bib in Mourinho’s direction after being an unused substitute at Tottenham.

Mourinho denied anything was untoward, but Costa’s speed of movement was often reserved for getting changed and boarding the team bus, rather than on the pitch. Some cracks had started to show in the second half of last season as Mourinho grew frustrated over Costa’s persistent hamstring issues. After struggling to settle in London, Costa also longed for a return to Atletico Madrid in the summer, and reported back for pre-season training overweight.

That was not Mourinho’s fault, nor were a number of other factors that made Costa less effective. Whereas he began last season focused on hurting teams by scoring goals, this time he seemed more intent on hurting opponents — just ask Laurent Koscielny. Slapping the Arsenal defender in September earned him a second retrospective three-match ban from the Football Association in just eight months. Rightly or wrongly, Costa felt persecuted by the governing body and the media, which made him long for La Liga even more.

Significantly, the forward stopped making the runs behind defenders that made him such a threat. Instead, he dropped short or hid on the wing. That was not part of some tactical tweak by Mourinho, who made a point of reminding him where he could cause the most damage. But like any couple going through a rough patch, their ability to communicate with each other was on the wane.

The club’s fans did not have a problem getting their message across loud and clear against Sunderland last month. Costa was booed during the game for his role in Mourinho’s premature departure. Perhaps that played a part in shocking Costa out of his lethargy. However, Hiddink certainly seems to be getting through to him in a way that his predecessor could not.

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Costa is not only finding the net again; his positional play is back to where it should be, and it’s giving his team-mates a much better target to aim for up front. The 27-year-old’s smile has returned, replacing the frown that was cemented on his face for months.

Costa’s clash with Oscar in training last week showed his fiery nature is still there, but Hiddink’s more relaxed man-management style is paying dividends. Explaining the secret behind his early success, Hiddink said: “The players get proper attention and it’s all an individual approach. One needs a lash, another one needs an arm. Another one needs to be pinched a bit.

“In Diego’s case, if you work on a bull and put this thing between their shoulders he is just going to get more angry. Instead, you have small conversations where you should aim for them to hear their qualities. But I wouldn’t say I have literally put my arm around him because I’m cautious!”

It’s understandable why Hiddink can poke fun at Costa’s temperament after taking Chelsea on a five-game unbeaten run. Victory over West Brom tonight, followed by another three points at home to Everton on Saturday, will have everyone at Stamford Bridge believing that things have truly begun to turn around at the club.

They have a better chance of going places with a rejuvenated Costa in the line-up, and he could prove a priceless “addition” to the squad come May.

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