Samu Costa: Spanish coach backs ‘tactically sharp’ midfielder to transform Al Nassr balance

Al Nassr’s pursuit of Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa could give the Saudi Pro League club a major tactical boost, according to a Spanish coach who has worked closely with the Real Mallorca player.

Reports in Spain and the Gulf say Al Nassr have reached an agreement with Mallorca to sign the 23-year-old this summer in a deal worth around €9m (£7.6m). The move would add another Portuguese to a squad already led by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Spanish coach David Martinez, speaking to Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya, set out in detail why he believes Costa would fit seamlessly into the Riyadh side’s plans.

‘He will add strength and defensive balance’

“I know Samu Costa well, he plays for Real Mallorca, a club that is always competing to avoid relegation to the second division,” Martinez said, highlighting the midfielder’s experience in a team used to battling under pressure in La Liga.

“Samu Costa سيضيف الى الفريق القوة، وكذلك التوازن في الناحية الدفاعية، لانه لاعب حاد تكتيكيا، وعادة ما يقرا المباريات بشكل جيد جدا.”

Martinez stressed that Costa’s main value lies in his reading of the game and his discipline without the ball, qualities he believes Al Nassr need to complement their attacking stars.

Not a flair player – but a decision-maker

While not describing him as a technical showman, the Spanish coach underlined Costa’s intelligence in possession and his ability to control tempo from deeper areas.

He explained: “هو ليس بارعا فنيا، ولكنه يتخذ الكثير من القرارات الجيدة خلال المباريات، وعادة ما يفضل اللعب في نصف الملعب التابع لفريقه، وليس في ملعب الفريق الخصم”.

By operating predominantly in his own half, Costa focuses on protecting the defence, recycling possession and providing a platform for more advanced players to attack.

Martinez added: “هو يحافظ دوما على ايقاع المباريات، وهو ما سيساعد المهاجمين كثيرا، وبالتالي سيكون دوره اساسيا لتحقيق التوازن في دفاع الفريق”.

Fit for Postecoglou-style attacking football

Looking ahead to how Costa might be used at Al Nassr, Martinez linked the midfielder’s attributes to the aggressive, front-foot style associated with Australian coach Ange Postecoglou – whose name he cited when talking about the kind of football the Riyadh club is expected to play.

“مع (انجي) بوستيكوجلو، سيلعب النصر كرة هجومية، وسيحاول الهيمنة على المباريات من خلال التمريرات القصيرة، ونقل الكرة الى الامام للعب في ملعب الخصم”.

In such a system, Costa’s ability to hold his position, win the ball back and circulate it quickly could be crucial to sustaining pressure high up the pitch while keeping defensive stability.

Tactical versatility across midfield and defence

Martinez also emphasised Costa’s positional flexibility, something that would give Al Nassr additional options in how they build play from the back.

“سامو كوستا يمكنه اللعب في مركز الوسط او اي مركز اخر، ولكن هذا سيعتمد على من سيلعب معه، وبامكانه ايضا اللعب بين قلبي الدفاع لبناء الهجمات”.

Deploying Costa between the centre-backs in possession could allow full-backs to push higher and help Al Nassr dominate territory, mirroring trends seen in top European clubs.

Link with Cristiano Ronaldo ‘useful for the club’

With Cristiano Ronaldo the focal point of Al Nassr’s project, Martinez believes the shared nationality between the captain and the potential new signing could accelerate Costa’s adaptation on and off the pitch.

“من وجهة نظري، المدرب يريد دوما لاعبين يعرفون بعضهم البعض، لان فترة التكيف تكون قصيرة، وهذه العلاقة ستكون مفيدة للنادي”.

He concluded that the Portugal international would be welcomed in the dressing room and play a key role in giving Al Nassr a more stable structure behind their forward line.

“سامو كوستا بامكانه احداث التوازن، وانا متاكد من ان كريستيانو رونالدو سيرحب كثيرا به، وسيكون ذلك مفيدا للنصر”.

If the transfer is finalised as reported, Al Nassr will be banking on Costa’s tactical sharpness and defensive nous to underpin their star-studded attack in the coming Saudi Pro League season.