Chelsea Transfer News: Douglas Costa Is the Wrong Player for Blues Midfield

Chelsea have started the season truly in the style of a typical Jose Mourinho team: working hard as a collective, with a venom in the penalty area that all but guarantees trophies. 

And with the January transfer window edging its way towards closing, it is no surprise the Special One is assessing his options and looking to make additions to his imperious squad.

Vaishali Bhardwaj of the Metro reports Mourinho will now move for prodigious Brazilian talent Douglas Costa as the Blues look for a cheaper alternative to Juan Cuadrado.

Bhardwaj says Chelsea have made a £16 million bid for the 24-year-old magician, which falls well short of Shakhtar Donetsk's £30 million valuation.

But she also says the Blues are likely to increase their offer and are hoping to get a deal done before February. 

Sports editor for the Guardian Ed Aarons confirmed Mourinho's pursuit of the player, claiming Chelsea have had a further bid of £20 million turned down:

Jon Super/Associated Press

The key detail in Aarons' comment is that Costa wants to leave the Ukraine—something the midfielder recently confirmed when speaking to the press from his own country.

Costa said to Globo Esporte that he would love to move to London and wear the colours of the Stamford Bridge club, per Bhardwaj:

"

It would be a dream to go to Chelsea and is a unique chance for me. I have been at Shakhtar for five years and think it’s time [to leave]. I will try to negotiate.

"

Efrem Lukatsky/Associated Press

It is unsurprising that Costa wants to test himself at the highest level at this point of his career, and the jump to the Premier League is perfect for him as he enters his prime years as a footballer.

But it is questionable whether Chelsea really need him when you consider their current stock of diminutive playmakers.

Costa has proved since 2010 he has enough quality to play in Europe's elite competitions, with six appearances in the Champions League this term, scoring once, per WhoScored.com.

Dolores Ochoa/Associated Press

But Chelsea's current needs are not creative, and the depth of the squad dictates Costa may spend a significant time on the bench—as Mohamed Salah has.

Salah is a good comparison to Costa. He is a flair player who was ready to play in England's toughest competition, but he simply could not get significant playing time and now seems to be on his way, per Manuele Baiocchini of Goal.com.

Costa will not come to London on the cheap, and Mourinho would do better by bringing in a defender or a striker. 

Diego Costa has been a sensation this season, but there is a fear that if the Spain international suffers yet more injury, Chelsea's strike force might become toothless, even with Didier Drogba on the bench.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Costa will be a luxury signing for Chelsea, and he will struggle to find himself above Eden Hazard or Oscar in Mourinho's pecking order.

Both Hazard and Oscar have improved this season with Cesc Fabregas pulling the strings behind, and though Costa would also benefit in this kind of set-up, the bench is a more likely option for the Brazilian.

Costa is ready to come to England, but the Premier League leaders are not a good fit for him. He needs to play in a well-balanced team that needs his flair and skill to add a potent threat, and then he can become one of the league's top stars.