Diego Costa Emerging as Chelsea Legend to Rival Didier Drogba After Final Win

WEMBLEY STADIUM, LONDON—In the Wembley tunnel on Sunday there was a sign that read: "Wembley was made for heroes."

If he didn't already hold such status in west London, Diego Costa has elevated himself to Chelsea hero after winning his team the Capital One Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur.

John Terry's first-half goal had given Chelsea the lead shortly before half-time, but it was Costa's strike that did the one thing all great strikers do—make sure of the victory for his team as Chelsea won the game 2-0.

Indeed, on the bench at Wembley for Jose Mourinho's side was the significant figure of Didier Drogba.

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The Ivorian is a player who has written his name in folklore; not just at Chelsea, but in the wider aspects of football.

Nine finals Drogba played for Chelsea in his first spell with the club, and nine goals he scored.

He helped Chelsea win the League Cup in 2005 and 2007, and the FA Cup in the latter year, as well as 2009, 2010 and 2012.

Then came the icing on a considerably sized cake with his equalizer against Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League final, followed by him scoring the winning penalty in the shoot-out.

Maybe not so much now, but in his pomp, Drogba was the man for the big occasion. He was the man for Chelsea.

He's back at Stamford Bridge for what must surely be his final season in elite football. Rather than serve as a reminder of what was, his presence at Chelsea shows us what will be.

Why? Because of Costa.

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Drogba was everything to Chelsea's success this past decade, and now he's passed the mantle to a similarly talented star.

Given his form these past few weeks—something not helped by a three-game suspension—Wembley was asking big questions of Costa on Sunday.

Could he rise to the occasion? Did he have what it takes to score vital goals? Can he cut it on the biggest stage? Can he deliver Chelsea trophies?

Everything he has achieved at Chelsea thus far had been a mere audition: the Capital One Cup final, the big show.

And boy did Costa turn up.

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Chelsea were not at their fluent best against Tottenham. After a bright start, it was Spurs who had had the better of the play before Terry snatched his goal on 45 minutes.

Costa made a real nuisance of himself, though. He was drawing players in, picking up fouls and showed all his experience to nip in front of Eric Dier at one point, taking the ball and the challenge that meant the young defender was booked for his efforts.

Costa worked the line in a way that was reminiscent of all that Drogba has achieved in Chelsea colours.

His performance was one for the team.

And when Costa got his one opportunity in front of goal, he made sure that he buried it on 56 minutes.

There was an air of fortune as it deflected in off Kyle Walker—some debating as to whether or not it should be given an own goal—yet Costa's one of those players who makes his own luck.

It's quite simple, really; he has this knack for being in the right place at the right time.

Drogba had a habit of doing that himself, impressively so when it came to cup finals and winning Chelsea trophies.

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His time at the top is nearing an end and Costa's is just beginning. The future is in more than capable hands.

It was rather fitting we saw a great forward performance from Costa on Sunday given it was nine years to the day that Chelsea legend Peter Osgood passed away.

Ossie was a player of exceptional means and were he present at Wembley, he would have applauded everything Costa did.

Chelsea have a long history of exceptional frontmen and Costa's carving his name alongside them.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes.