A change in the winds is at hand. Reports indicate that Chelsea has acquired Diego Costa for a whopping $53 million dollars from Atletico Madrid. The move is a transcendent one that will have huge implications in the world of soccer.

Costa is coming off a massive season in which he put up a stunning 27 goals in 35 Spanish League matches; his previous career-high had been 10 during the 2012-13 season. But Costa also put up eight goals in the Champions League this season and had been the ideal replacement for previous star striker Radamel Falcao. Costa's edgy style of play puts him at risk of injury but it is also the key to playing in the far more physical environment of the Premier League in England.

Speaking of which, the team most benefitted by this move is obviously Chelsea. To say the Blues have been starving for a forward of Costa's caliber is a massive understatement. The last time Chelsea had a 30-goal scorer was back in 2009-10 when Didier Drogba put up 37 goals in all competitions for Chelsea; he had 29 Premier League tallies that year. Since then, the team has relied on the inconsistent play of Fernando Torres who came over in 2010-11. Since arriving at Stamford Bridge, the striker has never topped 22 goals in a season for Chelsea (2012-13); in fact he only scored eight goals in the Premier League during that season but managed nine goals in European competition. So to state that Fernando Torres has been underwhelming is in itself an understatement as well.

During the 2013-14 season, Chelsea relied heavily on the goal scoring of Eden Hazard, but the Belgian topped off at 17 goals this year despite a terrific season; 14 of those tallies came in the Premier League. Hazard is a major offensive force, but his responsibility is to create chances, not necessarily score them. That he led the team with 17 goals this year tells you a few things. The first thing it indicates is that the team's forwards were not getting the job done. And the second thing it implies is that Chelsea's offense was a major sore point in the team's trophiless season. And that is absolutely correct on both counts. A look at the Premier League table for the 2013-14 season shows that top side Manchester City put up 102 goals while conceding 37. Second place Liverpool scored 101 while conceding 50. Chelsea finished third and had the best defensive record in the league; however the team only managed 71 goals in the entire season. Just think about that. In 38 games, 71 goals; not even an average of two per game. While defense served Chelsea well, conceding a goal in any game was a potential deathblow for Jose Mourinho's squad. Chelsea needed goals. And its forwards had none to give.

Torres put up a very telling five goals in 28 Premier League games; he scored five goals in European competition this year. Samuel Eto'o was Chelsea's most reliable striker but he only managed nine goals in 21 Premier League appearances; he maxed out at 12 goals overall. Demba Ba rounded out the trio with five goals in 19 games for the Blues. Just to put that into perspective; Chelsea's three forwards -- whose job it is to score goals -- combined for 19 goals while their top scorer managed 14 throughout the entire season.

So there is certainly some celebrating going on at Stamford Bridge at the news that Costa will be joining the side. Torres' best season prior to his move to Chelsea had included a 24-goal campaign for Liverpool back in 2007-08; he was 24 at the time. He would never reproduce that season. Costa is 25 and is coming off an even bigger season for his club and as noted earlier, his style should suit the Premier League far better. With Costa at the top of his prowess, Chelsea will now be a more formidable force offensively in the Premier League and will now be even more competent contenders for the crown.

Atletico Madrid obviously loses its star striker, but the team has seemingly been able to adjust accordingly in the past. After Falcao left in the summer of 2013, many questioned how the team would replace him offensively. Costa proved to be the answer. The money from the transfer plus any money won from the Spanish League title and deep Champions League run should give Los Colchoneros some leverage moving forward. It is also likely that the team makes more sales this summer (Koke is rumored for a Barcelona transfer) so that would mean more money to spend on transfers. There are rumors that the team is looking at Alvaro Negredo or even Brazilian Leandro Damiao as potential replacements. Obviously the risk is that neither pans out and that the team does not find a suitable alternative from within. If they fail to do so, then the 2013-14 season could turn out to be a flash in the pan for the organization.