We loaned him with an option to buy. Of course we want him to be a star here. As with any player that we decide to spend a significant amount of money on (or have a buy option worth a significant amount).
While I don't think he is much better than Cuadrado, he does work better with a goal scorer like Higuain. He's better at playing with his teammates in attack, linking with them, assisting, creating chances for others. Cuadrado is highly skilled and I like him, but he's too erratic in attack, and far too individualistic at times and poor with making the right decision.
Costa improves these things and should help Higuain get more service in the box. Just how much more depends on how consistent he can be. If he plays like he did against us in the CL while providing multiple assists over the two legs and creating numerous chances, I'll be ecstatic. My guess is periods of blazing hot form where he looks world class and periods of very poor form. It's Allegri's job to try to make him more consistent.
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Currently it's not "cautious pessimists", it's "delusional pessimists". Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Of course if you bash every single transfer the club makes and predict doom each and every summer, eventually summers will come where you are right, babe.
So you will celebrate and laugh when we eventually have a bad season?