Today, amid the celebrations of Diego Costa’s goal which spotted Chelsea a 2-0 lead over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, Sky Sports announcer Martin Tyler asked the question: “Have you seen a foreign player adapt so quickly to the Premier League?”

Of course, the long-time commentator was adding his own verbal ‘flavor’ to Costa’s splendid finish which saw the striker gently flick the ball over the head of Gunners’ goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny.

But this season, there is another foreign player who has made the switch from Spain to England and adjusted as well as Costa has – and that player is Angel Di Maria.

Costa and Di Maria’s adaptation to the pace and power of the Premier League has been immediate and impactful to their respective clubs. Both players came to the English top flight after performing to their personal best in the Spanish Primera Division last season. And there has been absolutely no drop off in their productivity.

Jose Mourinho targeted Diego Costa as the striker Chelsea desperately needed in order to fight off the rest of the Premier League’s title contenders. The Spain international was coming off the best season of his career as he lead Atletico Madrid to a La Liga title and a Champions League final appearance.

During the 2013-14 season, Costa poured in 36 goals in all competitions and established himself as one of the best strikers in the world. His fierce competitiveness, rugged play, skill and finishing seemed to make him the ideal player to make the switch from the Spanish league to the English top flight – and Costa wasted no time announcing himself to opponents.

The goals started coming for the Brazilian-born striker the second he touched the pitch during Chelsea’s pre-season (it actually took him fifty-five minutes to score in his debut against Olimpija Ljubljana) and they haven’t stopped since the 2014-15 Premier League campaign kicked off in August.

Including today’s victory of Arsenal, Costa now has nine goals in his first seven Premier League matches. And it’s not just his goals that are benefiting Jose Mourinho’s side. Costa’s vocal leadership and physical presence has been adapted by his Chelsea teammates. The London club are playing with a swagger and aggression that has been missing over the past few seasons.

The former Atletico Madrid striker was named the Barclays Premier League Player of the Month in August and has spurred Chelsea to the top of the league table.

Angel di Maria arrived at Manchester United shortly before the summer transfer window closed. His departure from Real Madrid left many around his former club upset, and questions were asked of the Spanish giant’s decision to sell the attacking midfielder who had sparked the club’s Copa del Rey and Champions League title-winning season.

Regardless, Di Maria arrived at United, who were in desperate need of a world class attacking option. The Argentina international was a major reason behind’s Real Madrid’s domestic and European success during the 2013-14 season, and – if he had been healthy – was a match away from perhaps bringing home a World Cup title for his country.

Di Maria tallied 13 goals and a jaw-dropping 24 assists in all competitions for club and country last season. He signed with Manchester United in August for a British transfer record £59.7 million and has spent little time justifying his enormous fee.

Prior to the Argentinian’s arrival, United had been looking for a spark – either from the transfer market or on the pitch.

Di Maria has provided both.

His first five matches with United have seen the former Real Madrid midfielder notch three goals and three assists. After drawing with Burnley in his Premier League debut, Di Maria has directed United to three wins in four matches, and scored one of the goals of the early season when he flicked the ball over Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel during their week five encounter.

The versatile midfielder’s pace, skill and creativity with the ball has brought an attacking presence to United which has been lacking at the club since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in 2009.

Although other players have worn the number 7 jersey at United since the Portuguese forward left the club, when it was confirmed that Di Maria would wear the iconic number, there weren’t many people who questioned the decision.

While they have yet to face any of the league’s title contenders, United now sit fourth place on the Premier League table – despite injuries and suspensions – and have the majority of the season in front of them. The Argentine’s arrival has given the club’s supporters hope that United’s absence from European competition won’t be a long one.

Di Maria and Costa have wasted no time adjusting to England after spending the past few seasons in Spain. Other players have come into the Premier League and performed well. But these two world class players have made an immediate and profound impact on their individual clubs and the league.