The crisis in Ukraine has put a number of talented footballers in a difficult position. They may be on a lucrative contract and the level of football may not be all that challenging, but with their safety at stake, there’s every reason for concern.
In fact, six Shakhtar Donetsk stars are rumoured to be refusing to return back to the Ukraine for the new season. According to The Mirror, Fred, Dentinho, Ale Teixiera, Ismaily, Facundo Ferreyra and Douglas Costa are all on the hunt for new homes. Premier League clubs could profit as a result.
As it happens, The Mirror also claims that Spurs are in the running to sign the exciting Brazilian talent, Douglas Costa.
Costa recently took to Instagram (how very modern of him!) to explain his situation. He said that players in Ukraine “all run a deadly risk if we are in the region. I like the club, the people, the city, but I’m afraid. We want to stay at the club, but we must have risk-free working conditions.”
That seems very honest and forthcoming. There’s a suggestion that these players could be provided an opportunity to train in Switzerland, but the situation is far from ideal.
The players concerns could well play on his club’s mind, were Spurs to make a bid for the player. Last season he was the Ukrainian league’s joint assist leader (with 8 assists). With Spurs looking short of goals, he could prove to be just the ticket.
Being Brazilian, Costa has bag-loads of technical ability and attacking flair. When he’s on song he can be very exciting to watch. Given that he’s only 23-years-old, there’s every reason to believe that he could blossom into a world-class footballer.
There may be some concerns over his ability to adapt to the Premier League (he does have a slight frame), but I wouldn’t be surprised if he were to take to it as quickly as his compatriot, Philippe Coutinho, has.
There’s no word as to how much Douglas Costa would cost Spurs, but I’d love to see Mauricio Pochettino make a speculative bid. Fingers crossed Tottenham can provide Costa with the escape route he seems to be after.
What’s your take? Should Spurs move in for this conflicted Shakhtar Donetsk ace?
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Don’t kbow him?