Diego Costa believes he’s being unfairly targeted by match officials, but is he the only one…
Chelsea striker Diego Costa believes he’s being targeted by Premier League officials following his clash with Liverpool defender Emre Can, which earned the Brazilian-born Spanish international a three-match suspension.
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Costa, who was speaking in the build-up to Sunday’s Capital One Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, promised not to change his style of play, despite the criticism, and insisted that he knows no other way of how to play.
The 26-year-old, who was quoted by the Daily Express, said: “I’m not going to change my way of playing. I know I have to be a little bit more careful because it’s not the same when I do something, and when someone else does it.
“Something I do, it’s talked about much more than another player. I have to be extra careful, but I’m never going to change the way I play. That’s what got me here, that’s the way I play.”
Below, we count down the ten players that have clearly developed a ‘reputation’ for acting out, and decide whether they too deserve to feel hard done by this season:
10) Muhamed Besic (Everton)
Still young and inexperienced at Premier League level, his youthful exuberance shouldn’t have him building up a reputation quite yet.
Premier League Bad-Boy, Or Just Misunderstood? – Misunderstood
9) Calum Chambers (Arsenal)
Another youngster who’s found his name taken more often than he might have liked so far this season, but it’s hard to describe him as ‘dirty’.
Premier League Bad-Boy, Or Just Misunderstood? – Misunderstood
8) Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City)
This one just never learns. He’s been warned a number of times over his conduct, but seems seconds away from losing his head and lashing out.
Premier League Bad-Boy, Or Just Misunderstood? – Bad-Boy
7) Gareth Barry (Everton)
Recently became the Premier League’s most booked player ever, but that should surely be put-down to his many years in the division and his role as a holding midfielder.
Premier League Bad-Boy, Or Just Misunderstood? – Misunderstood
6) Jack Colback (Newcastle United)
The most booked player in the Premier League so far this season. Despite the cards, he’s been doing a very good job for Newcastle, with his performances earning England recognition earlier in the campaign.
Premier League Bad-Boy, Or Just Misunderstood? – Misunderstood
5) Joey Barton (Queens Park Rangers)
You don’t receive a card in nine consecutive matches for no reason. Whatever the reasons behind Barton’s attitude issues, he’s still easily wound up and continues to let down his employers.
Premier League Bad-Boy, Or Just Misunderstood? – Bad-Boy
4) Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
The Spaniard has picked up eight yellow cards this season, despite few of us associating him with being a tough-tackling midfielder. Hard to explain this one really.
Premier League Bad-Boy, Or Just Misunderstood? – Misunderstood
3) Lee Cattermole (Sunderland)
He’s always there of there about, at the bottom of the Premier League discipline ratings. It’s such a shame as well, because if he just toned down that part of his game he could have reached the very top.
Premier League Bad-Boy, Or Just Misunderstood? – Bad-Boy
2) Mario Balotelli (Liverpool)
Why always Mario? Whether it’s off the pitch, or on it, he always seems to be minutes away from doing something foolish. It must be hard, always being a target for opposition defenders, but it’s easy to see when it’s getting to him.
Premier League Bad-Boy, Or Just Misunderstood? – Bad-Boy
1) Diego Costa (Chelsea)
A physical, in many ways old-fashioned centre forward that the English game has grown unaccustomed to. He takes no prisoners in his quest to help his team, and that continues to be held against him.
Premier League Bad-Boy, Or Just Misunderstood? – Misunderstood