With Oscar’s less than impressive form of recent, capping it all up with a poor display against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night, reports have emerged of Douglas Costa’s move to Stamford Bridge. The Brazilian who has not hidden his administration for Chelsea and Jose Mourinho, is desperate to join up with fellow Brazilians at the Bridge.
“I’d be really interested in moving to Chelsea – not only because everything Willian tells me about the club, but because I think that I’d be able to achieve everything I want having someone like Jose Mourinho by my side,” Costa told FourFourTwo.
“Since I left Brazil, I have worked with a marvellous coach [Mircea Lucescu] and got an idea of how much influence such a good professional can have in your football. Now I think it’s time to try a new philosophy and I’m sure that Mourinho’s is the best around. He’s always fighting for trophies.
“Besides that, I’d have the chance to play in the Premier League, the best league in the world. What really impresses me is that you never know which team will win – that’s a factor that always keeps athletes motivated.”
Before Chelsea opted to sign Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina in January, the blues were heavily linked with Costa. But despite Chelsea being unable to reach an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk for his services, the 24-year old is still hopefully for a move to London. The Brazilian who has a €50 million release clause in his contract, joined Shakhtar Donetsk from Brazilian club, Greimo in 2010, and has since improved drastically.
With Jose Mourinho obsessed with perfection and consistency, he might start to look the way of Douglas Costa, with the Portuguese tactician obviously disappointed with Oscar’s poor performance against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.
Costa has proved since 2010 he has enough quality to play in Europe’s elite competitions, with Champions League experience and League success with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Douglas Costa is an attacking midfielder who mainly plays on the left of a three man attack, but with that position already sealed by Hazard, he would have to move behind the striker or on the right side, positions he is familiar with. He has explosive pace and can create chances as well as score goals. His only clear weakness, based on his statistics, is probably his defensive work rate off the ball, something he needs to address should he want to play for Jose Mourinho.
He loves to get into dangerous positions and isn’t afraid to shoot, proven by his shots on target record in the Champions League last season and this season. It is a surprise that he has not been picked up sooner by a Premier League club because he has all the ability to flourish in England.
His performances last season in the Champions League show that he can hack it at the top level and it is only a matter of time before he graces English grounds with his talent. Costa would add another dimension to the Chelsea attack, as his tricks, pace and explosiveness would benefit from the grace and vision of Cesc Fabregas, something the likes of Hazard,Costa and William can confirm.
Douglas Costa who made his debut for the Brazilian National team in 2014, has just been capped twice by the seleção.