‘Would win the title for Man City’ – Micah Richards urges Guardiola to snap up Diego Costa

Former Blues defender Micah Richards urges Pep Guardiola to snap up former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.

The former Spain and Chelsea striker’s contract was terminated by Atletico Madrid last month due to personal reasons, six months before it was scheduled. Prior to that, Diego endured a tough spell at Los Rojiblancos, scoring just 19 goals in the last three years in all competitions.

Considering Manchester City’s crisis upfront and With Costa in the market as a free agent, English pundit Micah Richards is now urging the club to bring the the £10m rated striker in on a short-term deal.

“Manchester City are already on a ridiculously good run of form but if they signed Diego Costa now, he would win them the Premier League – I am sure of it,” Richards said on BBC

“Why not get him (Costa) in until the end of the season? He would do more than just ruffle a few feathers and be a pain in the backside for opposition defences – he is a proven finisher who would offer Pep Guardiola’s side a proper plan B.”

“Yes, you would have to cover Costa’s wages, but the massive difference he could make to City’s season would make that worthwhile.

“I like Jesus a lot, and he is far more than just a grafter, but when I watch him he is not always looking to get on the end of balls into the box like he did against Cheltenham in the FA Cup on Saturday – he is often lurking deeper or on the left, linking play.

“It means City sometimes don’t have a focal point. If they had someone who constantly wanted to run in behind defences then, with their creative players looking for them, I honestly think they would be frightening. They would clean up, no matter how teams tried to stop them.

“Costa could be that striker and not only would he finish the chances that City are making, his presence would increase the opportunities for his team-mates too.”

Costa arrived at Atletico in 2006 at the age of 17, going on to play 215 matches over two spells (2010-14 and then 2018-20) either side of three seasons at Chelsea, scoring 83 goals and providing 36 assists.

The 32-year-old Brazilian-born forward, who has been capped 24 times by Spain has scored 19 goals in 81 appearances in all competitions for Atletico after moving back to the club from Chelsea.

City are currently second, two points off bitter rivals Manchester United with a game in hand in the Premier League. The Cityzens, who have the division’s best defensive record, have scored the fewest in the top five. Signing Costa could definitely be a boost in the attacking department.