When news broke towards the end of last season that Chelsea had agreed a £32M deal with Atletico for Diego Costa, my initial feelings were frustration and envy. Envy that Chelsea signed him and frustration that we could not compete with them for his signature.
Many people said he would flop in England, which I found cringeworthy at the time, and really it sounded like people just being bitter over Chelsea signing a world class striker. But, is he really world class? Or is he just a one season wonder. His record at international level is dreadful, and I can't remember the last time he scored a goal for Chelsea. I read a stat last night saying Giroud, who has missed half the season with a broken leg, has scored just 4 goals less than him, which shocked me because I've never really rated Giroud. So I decided to do some research...
Olivier Giroud
Minutes played - 1357
Duels won/lost - 72/61
Tackles won/lost - 18/9
Interceptions - 7
Clearances - 15
Shots/Crosses/Passes Blocked - 0/3/13
Offsides - 8
Failed to control ball - 30
Dispossessed - 28
Pass Success - 65%
Goals - 13
Assists - 3
Shots per goal - 4.46
Minutes per chance created - 59
Minutes per goal - 104.38
Minutes per assist - 452.34
Percentage of goals vs Top 6 - 38.46%
Diego Costa
Minutes played - 2653
Duels won/lost - 33/88
Tackles won/lost - 15/12
Interceptions - 8
Clearances - 23
Shots/Crosses/Passes Blocked - 1/0/11
Offsides - 29
Failed to control ball - 64
Dispossessed - 77
Pass Success - 76.4%
Goals - 17
Assists - 4
Shots per goal - 5.29
Minutes per chance created - 66.33
Minutes per goal - 156.06
Minutes per assist - 663.25
Percentage of goals vs Top 6 - 17.64%
The above would indicate that not only is Giroud more prolific, clinical and creative in front of goal than Costa, it also indicates that Costa is a bit of a flat track bully. He failed to score a single goal in Europe this season, even Yaya Sanogo has outscored him on that front. Giroud's defensive contribution far outweighs Costa's, and he is involved in less turnovers that Costa, too, although his pass success is far inferior to Costa's. Giroud also partakes in and wins far more duels and tackles than Costa (I thought Costa is meant to love these?).
So the question is, is Costa really all he is cracked up to be? At £32M, have Chelsea signed a dud? Because even Giroud is outperforming him at the moment.
Olivier Giroud vs Diego Costa
posted on 12/3/15
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 1 hour, 32 minutes ago
In my view it is difficult to compare Giroud to any other striker in the PL anyway.
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True. Let's compare him to Benzema!
posted on 12/3/15
I think it very unwise comparing players and 'gloating' on what another has done or not done this season.
Giroud has limitations just like Diego Costa has limitations. Keep in mind one has just come to this country whilst scoring 27 league goals in 35 apps. Was it a flash in the pan one season wonder? Maybe. But a lot has to do with Mourinho as well.
posted on 12/3/15
I think we can no longer play the injury excuse card MoPo. Everybody has them, but the increased occurrence of injuries, first and foremost muscular, hanstring and similar, at Arsenal, suggests that there is something wrong with the training process or the medical staff, or both.
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I think we can play the injury excuse no matter what kind of injuries we had that limited to have 6-8 first teamers out at one time.
Surely it hindered us to compete about the title.
posted on 12/3/15
Giroud can be at times predictable and technically average.
posted on 12/3/15
Top article Bats was planning to do a similar one, there's no way on Earth Costa is a world class striker. He'll score a lot of tap ins and scuffed shots with his desire and instincts and Giroud is much more technical and scores great goals. I'd put them both on a similar level but everyone went way over the top with Costa after his purple patch, he doesn't have the natural ability to be world class.
posted on 13/3/15
Giroud will be off to a club with some ambition once he hits any sort of firm
posted on 13/3/15
posted on 13/3/15
And before you laugh at us, remember your outfit was trashed, at home, by not even the best club in France
posted on 13/3/15
Wow, still hurting are you. Only thing I'm laughing at is the suggestion Giroud could do better than us. But I suppose Costa did con you lot into spending £32M on him
posted on 14/3/15
comment by Don't Click (U14639)
posted 19 hours, 45 minutes ago
Giroud will be off to a club with some ambition once he hits any sort of firm
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He didnt sign a new contract yet.....