Diego Costa

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

He's now an EU citizen, he doesn't even need a work permit. It's not a passport of convenience (which is something else all together), he was granted citizenship of Spain.

[Barrington Womble]

I actually don't mind paying a bit extra for good players to insure we get them. I'm just thinking that £22m is only a little bit under what Spurs paid for Soldado. He seems a bit like a plan b. Then' date=' Coutinho was a plan b.[/quote']

 

I think it's fine to do that when its a position the manager thinks we need to strengthen, in fact it can be crucial. It's all about what his value to us is rather than what his market value is. Also, when you're playin catch up as we are, you sometimes need to bite the bullet or you won't move forward. We need to add at least 10 points or more to last seasons total and the way to do that in this league is to score goals.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

I think it's fine to do that when its a position the manager thinks we need to strengthen, in fact it can be crucial. It's all about what his value to us is rather than what his market value is. Also, when you're playin catch up as we are, you sometimes need to bite the bullet or you won't move forward. We need to add at least 10 points or more to last seasons total and the way to do that in this league is to score goals.

 

Yep, fair points.

 

 

It's a gamble, but one that Brendan is paid to get right.

 

If he's good, we can all thank the committee for overriding the manager's desire to get somebody from Swansea. If he's shit, we can all deride the manager for single handedly choosing the player.

[dickie mint]

I actually don't mind paying a bit extra for good players to insure we get them. I'm just thinking that £22m is only a little bit under what Spurs paid for Soldado. He seems a bit like a plan b. Then, Coutinho was a plan b.

 

 

Gary lineker was saying yesterday that Saldado was to expensive as he was not one of the elite strikers and he's more proven than this lad.

[CWD82]

Costa is strong, quick and aggressive but doesn't lead the line like Carroll, he's more of a run into channels type player and was a perfect foil for Falcao who liked to get into the box.

 

He's got some Drogba qualities about him I think, loads of movement, roughs defenders up and brings others into play.

 

We're getting him at the right age and that's why his fee will be high. I think when people see the money they expect 20 goals a season but he's not going to be like that, he's going to be part of a game plan and people will be a bit disappointed.

 

I'm confident he could get 15 goals a season for us but we're obviously looking for a physical presence and that's what we're paying the money for.

[Jose Jones]

Costa is strong, quick and aggressive but doesn't lead the line like Carroll, he's more of a run into channels type player and was a perfect foil for Falcao who liked to get into the box.

 

He's got some Drogba qualities about him I think, loads of movement, roughs defenders up and brings others into play.

 

We're getting him at the right age and that's why his fee will be high. I think when people see the money they expect 20 goals a season but he's not going to be like that, he's going to be part of a game plan and people will be a bit disappointed.

 

I'm confident he could get 15 goals a season for us but we're obviously looking for a physical presence and that's what we're paying the money for.

 

Where would you play him if you also had Sturridge, Suarez and Coutinho?

[Innova]

 

Where would you play him if you also had Sturridge' date=' Suarez and Coutinho?[/quote']

 

I could certainly see him in the AM role.

 

Aspas/sturridge/suarez/borini

 

Downing/ibe/cou Suarez/costa/cou Ibe/sterl

 

And that's assuming assaidi & downing would be solely squad players and won't be given starts, as they can provide a 80 min speed burst down the flank when all else goes wrong.

[CWD82]

Where would you play him if you also had Sturridge, Suarez and Coutinho?

 

I don't think you could play all four at once to be honest but if you were going to maybe have Costa down the middle with Suarez and Sturridge left and right and Coutinho behind.

 

I think the thing with Diego Costa is he could play with either Sturridge or Suarez really well as he would make a lot of space for either of them. So it would be a tactical decision to play 2 out of the 3 against the right opposition.

 

The Coutinho question is going to be next years moan I think. I can see Coutinho playing wider but everyone wanting him to play central.

[Barrington Womble]

 

I don't think you could play all four at once to be honest but if you were going to maybe have Costa down the middle with Suarez and Sturridge left and right and Coutinho behind.

 

I think the thing with Diego Costa is he could play with either Sturridge or Suarez really well as he would make a lot of space for either of them. So it would be a tactical decision to play 2 out of the 3 against the right opposition.

 

The Coutinho question is going to be next years moan I think. I can see Coutinho playing wider but everyone wanting him to play central.

 

I can see him playing as the most advanced of the 3 in midfield.

[Major Tom]

I think it's fine to do that when its a position the manager thinks we need to strengthen, in fact it can be crucial. It's all about what his value to us is rather than what his market value is.

 

Agree entirely, Barry; if the player is right, the price is right.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Where would you play him if you also had Sturridge, Suarez and Coutinho?

 

I suspect we'll have a very fluid front four. It's no accident that Rodgers has targeted players who can play anywhere across the front line. My guess, though, is that he'll start from the left like he has been doing for Atleti. Maybe from the right or behind, but probably from the left. He definitely isn't a number 10. I'd be very surprised if Coutinho isn't the man behind the striker.

 

---Suarez----Coutinho----Diego Costa

---------------Sturridge----------------

 

Actually, if it's a 4-3-3 with a 'double pivot' - whatever - I think it'll be more like this...

 

 

----Lucas------------Gerrard----

------------Coutinho

 

--Suarez---Sturridge----Costa--

[Barrington Womble]

 

I suspect we'll have a very fluid front four. It's no accident that Rodgers has targeted players who can play anywhere across the front line. My guess' date=' though, is that he'll start from the left like he has been doing for Atleti. Maybe from the right or behind, but probably from the left.[/quote']

 

Can he play through the middle? Seems to me for the start of the season we might struggle there with Suarez suspended and sturridge still getting over his injury. I don't fancy starting the season with borini there and I'm not sure about Aspas.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Can he play through the middle? Seems to me for the start of the season we might struggle there with Suarez suspended and sturridge still getting over his injury. I don't fancy starting the season with borini there and I'm not sure about Aspas.

 

He can play there as a striker who drops deep. We certainly shouldn't think of him as a number 10, though. He's not an Ortega type. With Suarez and Sturridge out, I'd think we'll see this.

 

 

----Lucas------------Gerrard----

------------Coutinho

 

--Aspas-----Costa----Borini--

 

We shouldn't think of those players as left wing, right wing and striker. More three strikers, starting from that position.

[Jose Jones]

Can he play through the middle? Seems to me for the start of the season we might struggle there with Suarez suspended and sturridge still getting over his injury. I don't fancy starting the season with borini there and I'm not sure about Aspas.

 

Aspas will be good I reckon. Defo a central player though for me.

[Jose Jones]

I don't think you could play all four at once to be honest but if you were going to maybe have Costa down the middle with Suarez and Sturridge left and right and Coutinho behind.

 

I think the thing with Diego Costa is he could play with either Sturridge or Suarez really well as he would make a lot of space for either of them. So it would be a tactical decision to play 2 out of the 3 against the right opposition.

 

The Coutinho question is going to be next years moan I think. I can see Coutinho playing wider but everyone wanting him to play central.

 

Cheers. I think it makes sense to play Coutinho where he can get most space. Against a team with 4 in midfield he should play the 10. Against good teams with a specialist defensive midfielder maybe starting on the left and drifting in he would cause more problems.

[Phoenix]

Sturridge is going to end up on he right.

 

 

Costa - Suarez - Sturridge

 

---------Coutinho----------

 

 

Fuck it why not, just play all four.

[CWD82]

Can he play through the middle? Seems to me for the start of the season we might struggle there with Suarez suspended and sturridge still getting over his injury. I don't fancy starting the season with borini there and I'm not sure about Aspas.

 

Played loads of games up top with Falcao last season and then floated round everywhere supporting him when Atletico played 442 with Arda and Adrian/Rodriguez playing wide.

 

He's an all rounder really in that he can go deep, run wide, work the channels, win headers, run in behind on the break. He just isn't exceptional at any of them.

 

I agree with the point by NV that he would work well as a wide forward.

[king7]

Apparently he played mostly on the left for AM last season, 10 goals isn't a bad retur then. A lot of money, but around 20m seems to be the going rate for any decent attacker these days.

 

Don't think he's signed as Luis replacement, but him and Aspas may very well end up as replacements in the end.

[king7]

I saw he wore pink boots in a videoclip though. Pink boots! Good thing Carra's retired.

[Barrington Womble]

The areas people are talking about him playing makes me think if Henry, is that fair? (Not saying he's that good)

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

The areas people are talking about him playing makes me think if Henry, is that fair? (Not saying he's that good)

 

Nope, not like him at all really.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Apparently he played mostly on the left for AM last season, 10 goals isn't a bad retur then. A lot of money, but around 20m seems to be the going rate for any decent attacker these days.

 

Don't think he's signed as Luis replacement, but him and Aspas may very well end up as replacements in the end.

 

In all comps it's 20 goals and 12 assists. I'd be quite happy with 10 and 10.

[The Golden Eel]

So why would this guy want to leave AM for us? Is this unrealistic?

[TheHitman]

When Thiago and the new Xabi's buyout clauses were met by Bayern and Real as they were hostile bids ie the clubs didn't want to sell it was reported they had to pay Vat on the buyout clauses.

 

Anyone know if that was true and will this be the case for this one.

[spider-neil]

So why would this guy want to leave AM for us? Is this unrealistic?

 

Flicking bogies in the prem appeals to him.