Watch out Premier League defenders – Diego Costa is the stuff of your nightmares.
That is the message from Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta who says he is more than glad he doesn't have to face the Spaniard this season.
Costa continued a rip-roaring start to his Blues career on Saturday, scoring twice in the pulsating 6-3 win over Everton at Goodison Park.
That took his Chelsea total to four in his first three Premier League matches with Blues sitting top the table.
And Azpilicueta says the start to the campaign has been made so much easier by having Costa in the side.
"It's true that last season we had to play very well to score goals and now it looks easier,” he said.
“Diego has scored a lot of goals, but we have a very good squad. We have played three games and have three wins and it's always important to start well.
"Maybe we are scoring more goals, but also we are conceding more goals than last year. For me, a defender, I don't like to concede. I'm happy because we are scoring goals and playing better football.
"This is the way to progress and to keep improving in every game."
Asked if he was glad he didn't have to face Costa himself, as he did in Chelsea's 3-1 Champions League semi-final defeat least season, the full-back said: "I played against him last season and I knew he is a good striker. We are happy to have him in our team.
"He's a competitive guy, who always tries his best for the team. He's a nightmare for defenders."
