Sky Pundit Likens Newcastle Attacker to Prolific Spain Striker Following Recent Performances

Former Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell has compared Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to ex-Chelsea hitman Diego Costa following the Serbian's performances

Former Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell has compared Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to ex-Chelsea hitman Diego Costa following the Serbian's performances since joining the Cottagers on loan.

Mitrovic moved to Newcastle from Anderlecht in 2015 and despite showing signs of stardom, he failed to live up to expectations, especially after falling afoul of manager Rafa Benitez.

Man of the Match - @FulhamFC's Aleksandar Mitrovic

Goals:1
Attempts: 4 (joint-most in game)
On target: 3 (most in game)
Touches in opp. box: 6 (2nd most in game)

Scored 2 goals in last 2 games - his 1st club goals since August. pic.twitter.com/mevt70g3Np

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) February 24, 2018

Having joined Fulham on loan at the beginning of February, Mitrovic has certainly shown the wits of someone heading in the right direction. He's scored twice in as many matches for his new club and is even drawing comparisons to a world-class striker who fired Chelsea to two Premier League titles in three years.

The 23-year-old was on target for Fulham as they comfortably stole a 2-0 win over Championship leaders Wolverhampton on Saturday, scoring the second goal of the match. And Sidwell, speaking on Sky Sports Football’s Live EFL programme, was on hand to outline the striker's qualities.

🎥 Aleksandar Mitrović spoke to fulhamfctv following the 2-0 victory over top of the table Wolverhampton Wanderers at Craven Cottage on Saturday evening. Full interview ➡️ https://t.co/FSVrsFUv2L ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/zG4NlfqX4c

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 24, 2018

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“He offers that focal point at the top of the play, if you look at his style, it’s very similar to Diego Costa," he remarked.

“He’s very bullish, strong and you don’t want to take that away from him because if you do you lose the player that he is.

Michael Regan/GettyImages

“What you’ve seen is classic Mitrovic, he wants to feel defenders, wants them to be touch tight, roll them and get his shot away.”

The Cottagers sit in the 5th spot on the Championship table, yet there is still a chance for a return to the big time, albeit a very slim one.

If Mitrovic remains true to form, however,  then there could be something real to celebrate at the end of what has been a long campaign.