Perhaps it’s wrong to write about a transfer barely days after the end of the transfer window but to be frank wrong sums up Sheffield United’s season as a whole. Wrong signings, wrong departures, wrong end of the score lines, wrong end of the table, Sheffield have truly experienced second season syndrome.
This is a massive disappointment. After a promising first season, you would have thought Sheffield United might capitalize on a chaotic league. To put it in context, if Sheffield had built on their success by just 5 points, after matchday 22 Sheffield would have 37 points, a total that in the current season, would see them in 5th just 2 points of a CL place.
But, is there still hope? As of February 2nd, 2021, Sheffield United have collected 6 points out of a potential 9 which included feats such as breaking down an Allardyce West Brom, giving City a run for their money, and most impressively of all, bringing home all 3 points against title rivals Man United. Sheffield United have found form and it is crucial that they capitalize on it. But how?
The problem with Sheffield United is clear. Despite sporting a young, error-prone keeper Sheffield United have managed to keep games tight, having only conceded 3 or more goals on 4 occasions, better than European challengers West Ham and equal to title challengers Manchester United and Leicester City. The squad is filled to the brim with passion merchants ready to risk it all for the badge. However, Sheffield United have the 2nd lowest goals scored this season, only behind Burnley who have 2 games in hand.
Sheffield United need a clinical forward. A forward who can be a role model for the rest of the team, and get the goals to keep Wilder’s men up. This man is Diego Costa.
A free agent after his contract was terminated, Costa is exclusively a center forward, sporting a glamorous career featuring stints at Chelsea and Atletico Madrid. In his last full Premier League campaign, Costa played an integral role in Chelsea’s title win, scoring 20 goals and bagging 7 assists. Costa also has experience playing in a fluid back 3 system whilst at Chelsea, and a front 2 partnership whilst at Atletico Madrid.
Of course, this is only one side of the story. Diego Costa to Sheffield United is a great move for Sheffield but is it so much for Costa? The answer is yes.
At 32, Costa is no spring chicken, and his next move will likely be to either be a backup at a big club, play for a big club in a smaller league (Benfica, Porto, etc.), or maybe even move to a league out of Europe like China or the MLS.
However, he can still do all of this in 3 years. There isn’t much of a difference between scoring goals against weak defenses in the MLS at age 32 when compared to scoring goals against weak defenses in the MLS at age 35. So why not take one last hurrah playing first-team football in the Prem? Costa could sign a short term 6-month contract and see where it takes him. If he can keep Sheffield up, maybe he could renew his contract and try to help capitalize on chaotic seasons to come? The future is bright for Costa if he moves to Sheffield.
To conclude, Sheffield needs a hero. Costa needs a club. All that’s left is the contract.