Ex-Arsenal forward: Diego Costa NOT world class

Chelsea hitman Diego Costa is not among the world’s elite strikers, according to former Arsenal forward Charlie Nicholas.

The Brazil-born Spain international has netted 17 Premier League goals in his first season at Stamford Bridge following a £32 million summer switch from Atletico Madrid.

However, Costa has struggled to take his talismanic form into other competitions and failed to score in any of his seven Champions League appearances before the Blues’ elimination in midweek.

Furthermore, the 26-year-old has not found the net in any of his last six games in all competitions, and Nicholas believes that there is plenty of room for improvement.

Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday program, the Scottish pundit said: “He’s a top player, but not a really top player.

“The best guys who handle the situation are the guys who expose you through talent. If you’re asking him to change, he’s going to lose a percentage of his game.”

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