Using stats from Squakwa, we explore whether Alvaro Morata can replace Diego Costa's goals.
In order to do so we will use stats from the pair's respective league campaigns last season and will focus on per 90 minute metrics due to the big difference in minutes played between the two players last season.
Okay, let's start with the basics, Costa scored 22 goals in 42 games in all competitions for Chelsea last season, whilst Morata managed 20 in 43. These stats look very similar on the face of it but if you look closer, Morata managed his total in just 1,872 minutes on the pitch, compared to Costa's 3,490.
Indeed, Morata's goals to minutes ratio in La Liga was second only to Lionel Messi last season, with the 24-year-old averaging a goal every 89 minutes.
This is highlighted when you look at the pair's goals per 90 minutes stats, Morata averages an incredible 1.01, whilst Costa registers a still impressive 0.58.
Much has been made of Diego Costa's physicality but Morata actually records better statistics in the air, winning 50% or his aerial duels compared to Costa's 24.83%, as a result the Real Madrid man scored more headers than Costa last season, three times as many to be precise, notching up 6 to Costa's 2.
Despite this aerial prowess, Morata was equally impressive on the deck, managing to beat his man more often in open play with a successful take on percentage of 53.66 to Costa's 41.22.
Morata also claimed the crown as the best sharpshooter of the two, with a shot accuracy percentage of 63 to Costa's 53.
There was little in it in terms of pass completion percentage but Morata just edged it 78% to 75%.
However, Costa did come up trumps on the creativity front, creating 1.23 chances per game to Morata's 1.14
So, the stats would appear to suggest that Morata is more than capable of replacing Costa, but as we know stats never quite manage to tell the whole story in football.