Atletico Madrid have always been particularly good when it comes to producing world-class strikers haven’t they? Just take a look at the list: Diego Forlan, Sergio Agüero , Falcao and most recently Diego Costa. That brings me to my next discussion on The Boot Room: Out of the two current Premier League players from that list ( Agüero and Costa), who’s the better of the two?
The pair are so different, but yet so similar. Perhaps the most striking similarity is that they are both very direct. Agüero, who nearly joined Chelsea in the Summer of 2011 before his £38 million move to Man City, has since proved that he is arguably Europe’s best striker.
The Argentinian will,of course, be best known for his famous last-minute goal against QPR on the final day of the 2011/12 Premier League season, snatching the title from the grasps of arch rivals Manchester United in an incredible finale to the season. However, even before his multi-million pound move to Etihad, he was already a proven striker in Europe. Agüero (26), bagged an impressive 74 league goals in 175 games for the Madrid side. To top everything off, he played a crucial part in Atletico’s Europa League success in 2010, assisting two of the goals in extra-time as they ran out 2-1 winners against English side Fulham.
Since his move to the Premier League champions, he has notched up a tally of 53 goals in 88 appearances, competing for top scorer alongside the likes of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney season after season. Agüero’s spell in England hasn’t been all so smooth having struggled with various kinds of injuries (mostly muscle relates, e.g; hamstring) on a regular basis. Yet his tigerish, ‘pacey’, aggressive approach to the game has seen him guide the blue half of Manchester to their most successful era ever.
On the other hand, Diego Costa, another former Atletico prodigy has just put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge worth £32 million as Chelsea set their sights on Premier League glory this season. Direct and menacing like Agüero, Costa offers something different. Costa is more potent than Agüero, providing more of a presence in the box. He’s even more prolific inside the 12-yard box having scored 26 of his 27 La Liga goals from inside the penalty area last season, helping secure Atletico’s first league title in eighteen years.
Agüero’s pace sees him come out on top against the Brazilian in that category, but the now Chelsea man boasts the intelligence and composure in front of the opponents defence to usually stay onside and get in behind to score the bulk his goals from close range. A proper forward.
Costa himself has struggled with injuries as of late including a hamstring injury which seen the Spanish international withdrawn after just eight minutes in last season’s penultimate Champions League final against city rivals Real Madrid. Costa (25), hasn’t had it all his own way throughout his career, having to ply his trade in the lower ranks of Spanish and Portuguese leagues before coach Diego Simeone gave him his bag opportunity with Atletico.
On the overall scheme of things, a fully fit Agüero just pips Costa to the post for me. His pace, dynamism and consistent, prolific goal scoring record wherever he goes, sees him come out on top in this specific debate. In Premier League terms, Costa’s journey has only just begun, scoring on his debut against Burnley on Monday night.
We can expect to a whole lot more from Diego Costa over the next few seasons as he certainly acquires of the capacity to be Europe’s top striker if he stays focused and fit in west London.
Who is the better striker, Chelsea’ Diego Costa or Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero? Join the discussion in the comments section below or on Twitter @TBRFootball.