Why Diogo Costa is the perfect successor to David de Gea

Stuart Telford

• 17 Mar 2023 16:13 CDT
• 3 min read

Manchester United have scouted Porto's Diogo Costa as a potential replacement for David de Gea, and for good reason!

De Gea has been a loyal club servant for more than a decade, and for much of his time at Old Trafford one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.

The Spaniard has also impressed this season, keeping 11 clean sheets and earning plaudits from manager Erik ten Hag on the way to helping United up to third in the table.

READ: Man Utd put brutal clause in new De Gea contract

He has been offered fresh terms on a contract which expires in June, but he will have to take a 50 per cent pay cut to extend his stay in Manchester beyond this season.

United want Costa, Portugal's No.1 who has a release clause of €75 million having signed a new contract with Porto in November - he could be worth every penny.

Statistical fit

De Gea remains a fine shot-stopper, one who has made 71 saves this season, but he is significantly better with his hand than his feet - that is to say that out of possession he is an asset; in it, a potential liability.

READ: Man Utd quoted €75 million for De Gea replacement

Ten Hag won most of his trophies with Ajax with Andre Onana, now of Inter Milan, in goal. The Cameroonian spends much of his game off his line, sweeping up dangers and getting involved in play.

And it is in this area where Costa far exceeds De Gea. Costa attempts twice as many passes as De Gea per 90 minutes, yet his wasted possession stats are almost identical, which showcases the quality of his distribution.

Costa may cost just shy of the world record €80 million Chelsea paid Athletic Bilbao for Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2018, but he is a goalkeeper in Ten Hag's image, and United should give their new leader the perfect successor to an old one.