Competition from Loic Remy Will Spur Diego Costa on to Score More Goals

Chelsea supporters had the opportunity to see their two newest strikers square off against each other when France faced Spain in an international friendly on Thursday night.

Loic Remy scored the only goal of the game from the bench as France beat Diego Costa’s Spain, and his strike could be seen as a statement of intent for the season to come at Stamford Bridge.

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Delicious team goal from France last night. https://t.co/HPEusnzvP7

— By The River (@ffcbytheriver) September 5, 2014"

When Costa signed for Chelsea in July, he knew that he would be the first-choice striker. Having watched his compatriot Fernando Torres struggle for the past three years at Stamford Bridge, and with Didier Drogba at the ripe old age of 36, it was clear that he would not face any real challenge for his role leading the line.

Any player who knows that he is guaranteed a start every week is in danger of growing complacent—why bother using up energy in training when you know that you are head and shoulders above your closest competitor?

Remy’s signing has ensured that that will not happen to Costa. His attitude is far more competitive than Torres’, who cited Costa’s arrival and the inevitable lack of playing time as the reason for his departure to Milan, per Sky Sports. The Frenchman plans to fight for his place in the side, telling Chelsea TV in August:

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I feel very happy and very proud to have signed for Chelsea. They are one of the best clubs in the world and I can’t wait to get started, training and playing with my new team-mates, when I get back from international duty with France.

I’m a striker but the thing is I can adapt myself for any situation. It’s up to the manager where he decides to put me. We have two great strikers here already and I don’t have a choice if I want to be in the team - I have to play at a very high level.

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Despite the gulf in the transfer fees commanded for both players —Remy cost £22 million less than Costa, per BBC Sport— there is little to choose between them statistically. Costa still comes out on top in everything other than shots per game, but Remy is only fractionally behind him, per the Squawka comparison matrix.

The four goals that Costa has scored in three games so far will enable him to keep his starting place for now. However, he will know that if Chelsea are chasing the game and he is struggling to score, Remy is likely to replace him. His determination to win at all costs should spur him on to become even better to ensure that he keeps his place.

As much as the competition will keep Costa sharp, it will also make sure that he does not become overwhelmed with the responsibility to stay fit and keep scoring. The weight of expectation on his shoulders has not affected him so far, but he will be relieved to know that if he sustains an injury he will not be leaving his team-mates in the lurch, and can allow himself to recover properly.

Having already suffered a scare with a flare-up of his hamstring problem, this could prove to be a decisive factor in Chelsea’s success this season.

Whether Remy could dislodge Costa without any help from the injury Gods remains to be seen, but having him available can only improve Costa individually, and the Chelsea squad as a whole.

Follow @agirlintheshed