Stats showing Diego Costa deserves a place on the bench

The form of Chelsea star striker is increasingly becoming a thing of concern for Chelsea fans and it could determine how the London club end the 2016-17 season.

Diego Costa was instrumental to everything Chelsea has achieved so far this season, he has contributed 17 goals and 5 assists as Conte men continue their push for silverware this season, but the striker poor showing in the last three month could erase the previous excellent performances.

The 28-year-old has failed to find the back of the net in the last 6 games for Chelsea in all competition with his last goal being in the 2-1 victory over Westham United.

Costa’s understanding of Conte’s 3-4-2 formation, his link-up play and ‘deadliness’ in front of goal prompted many pundits to conclude as long as he remains a blue and on the pitch, Chelsea would win the league. But that seemed to have changed since his triple figure rumoured move to China collapsed.

Since January, Diego Costa has only found the back of the net four times in as many as sixteen games played within that period. There is no doubting he could be out of form or jaded but for a player of his caliber the return is not good enough and it could cost Chelsea the title.

Diego Costa’s last 5 Premier League games:

19 fouls committed
3 yellow cards
3 shots on target
0 chances created
0 assists
0 goals pic.twitter.com/LRlsyYt0Nj

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 16, 2017

Chelsea could lose out on the title if Conte doesn’t act fast, Costa has repeatedly flirted with other clubs and looked uninterested sometimes on the pitch, the writings are on the wall, he needs to be benched.

CHELSEA REMAINING FIXTURES

Tottenham – FA Cup (N)  – Sat 22 Apr
Southampton (H) – Tue 25 Apr
Everton (A) – Sun 30 Apr
Middlesbrough (H) – Mon 8 May
West Brom (A) – Fri 12 May
West Brom (A) – Mon 15 May
Sunderland (H) – Sun 21 May

Conte shouldn’t risk the title because of his reluctance to send Costa to the bench. The Spanish striker in the last five Premier League games: 19 fouls committed 3 yellow cards 3 shots on target 0 chances created 0 assists 0 goals. Clearly not good enough for Chelsea ending the season on high.

Hazard could be used as a false nine or try Michy Batshuayi if he is dropped.