Diego Costa is off the mark for Wolves after he scored against Brentford – and it would be no surprise if Julen Lopetegui has already been in talks with the board about handing him a new contract at the club.
Costa opened the scoring on Saturday, converting after a good cross from Toti Gomes.
There was an element of fortune about the finish in that the ball was hit against him.
But he was in there making his own luck, and it was no less than he has deserved.
Costa not scoring up until yesterday will have been frustrating for him. And some Wolves fans would have expected a slightly greater haul.
MORE WOLVES STORIES
But the fact of the matter is – Costa has still made significant contributions for Wolves since he signed.
He is obviously not the Chelsea Diego Costa. But he is someone who comes into the team and battles.
He still has that same fighting spirit he always had with the Blues and is, at the very least, a real handful to play against.
In recent weeks, Wolves have been dragged back into the relegation battle. And the 34-year-old has been exactly what Wanderers have needed.
He’s been a leader in the trenches.
The £50,000-a-week star’s effort level alone has been infectious, and the team have looked better as a collective with him on the field.
Seeing him score his first goal for the club against Brentford was brilliant. There has been no Wolves player more deserving of a goal than him.
And Lopetegui made his feelings about Costa very clear after the game.
The Spaniard said (via Express & Star): “He has had a very good match in all facets of play, with the ball and without it.
“When Diego came here, he came with the intention to help the team, help the club, help his team-mates and help the coach.
“He’s doing this, sometimes on the pitch and sometimes off it – and sometimes out of the squad.
“He has a big heart and is a very competitive player.
“In the bad moments he has continued working, because he has spirit. You either have it or you don’t, you can’t buy this spirit.”
These are the comments of a manager who clearly values everything Costa brings to the table.
Lopetegui might well have already spoken to the Wolves board about a new contract for Diego Costa
Earlier this year, it was reported that Costa was unlikely to stay with Wolves beyond the current season.
The deal he signed in September takes him to the end of the season.
Lopetegui’s post-match comments feel significant. He clearly is a massive fan of Costa for he brings both on and off the pitch.
The veteran is hugely popular in the dressing room and has had many of his teammates praise him since he came to the club.
The manager will surely be reluctant to just let someone like that go.
Obviously Costa is no spring chicken. But surely he is worth another one-year deal.