Sky
Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has questioned whether Diego Costa's temper
makes him a better player.
The Chelsea forward was handed a three-match ban for violent conduct after
an incident with Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny last weekend.
And Nicholas believes the former Atletico Madrid player's attitude on the
pitch is having a negative effect on his game.
"When Costa was in Spain - becoming a star when Falcao left - yes he would
stop and have an argument and have a row with some players, but he was never
like this." Nicholas said on Soccer Saturday.
Costa has scored twice in seven appearances for Chelsea so far this season.
Last season, the Spain international scored seven goals in his first four
games and Nicholas thinks the 26-year-old's current strike rate may improve
if the he could control his temper.
"He's scored two goals this season, is he a better player now because of
what happened last season? Last season, he had six or seven goals by now. I
think he's taking something away from the game," Nicholas said.
"You watch him last season against Arsenal, Arsenal were petrified because
he was running behind them. He didn't really upset Arsenal [this season]
until he got physical with them.
"If Jose and Chelsea think that was how they were happy to get it [the
result] then fair enough, that's modern day football.
"He is not changing to make himself a better player."
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