Diego Costa has been by far and away Chelsea’s most important player this season when it comes to goals.

The Spanish forward has scored six and assisted two of the Blues’ 12 league goals.

That means he has been directly involved in two thirds of them, far more than any other player.

Eden Hazard, Michy Batshuayi, Nemanja Matic and Willian have all been directly involved in just two each, 17 per cent of Chelsea’s total.

Costa’s record means that he is the division’s joint second most influential player this season when it comes to goals.

Sharp: Diego Costa has a shot blocked by Arsenal's Petr Cech

The most influential player in the Premier League this season has been a Belgian, but probably not the one you’re thinking of.

Burnley bite

Steven Defour was an £8m summer signing from Anderlecht by Burnley and one who seems to have been well worth the money.

He’s so far scored one and assisted three of the Clarets’ five league goals this season.

That means he has had a hand in 80 per cent of them.

That’s a larger percentage than any other player in the division has managed, meaning that Defour has been more pivotal in his team’s goals than any other Premier League player.

Diego Costa and Jermain Defoe have the next best records with both having either scored or assisted two thirds of their respective teams’ league goals.

Battle of the Belge: Steven Defour (R) and Thibaut Courtois at World Cup 2014

Diego and Defoe

Costa has scored six and set up two of Chelsea’s eight goals, while Defoe has scored four of Sunderland’s six.

Five of West Ham’s eight goals have been scored by Michail Antonio (63%), while five of West Brom’s eight have involved Nacer Chadli (two assists and three goals).

Romelu Lukaku has been directly involved in 55 per cent of Everton’s goals so far this season. The Belgian forward has scored five and assisted one of the 11 scored by the Toffees.

poll loading

Does Diego Costa's bad-boy reputation cost him in matches?