Jimmy Bullard did not mince his words when it came to Diego Costa, with the former midfielder blasting the Chelsea forward for his actions in the London Derby against Arsenal in the English Premier League last weekend.
The former Wigan Athletic and Fulham player went on to call the Brazil-born Spain international a "lemon", and if that was not all, Bullard urged Costa to pick a fight with UFC interim featherweight champion Conor McGregor.
The Irish McGregor, who weighs in at 145 pounds, is currently one of the superstars of the UFC, and he goes head-to-head with UFC featherweight champion of the world Jose Aldo in the main event of UFC 194 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on 12 December.
But prior to that, Bullard, 36, feels that McGregor might need a warm-up fight with Costa, as the former Chelsea forward needs a "good kick up" before he makes his return after suspension.
"Go and fight Conor McGregor and show us what you've really got. The bloke's a lemon. He needs a good kick up the a***," the Englishman blasted the Spain International in his column for the Daily Star.
"In my day we had Big Duncan Ferguson [Everton legend] and he was a hardman , simple as that. He wasn't trying to be something he wasn't.
"Costa is going round picking fights and trying to bully young kids. I don't like all that. I go and watch football to see football, not fights."
Costa appeared to strike Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny on two occasions just prior to halftime in the London Derby last Saturday, and that prompted Gabriel to step in. And an altercation followed.
Gabriel was, eventually, given the marching orders by referee Mike Dean, while Costa stayed on the pitch, receiving only a yellow card.
However, the Football Association (FA) handed out a three-match ban to the former Atletico Madrid man just days later, finding him guilty of violent conduct during the game. This happened after the FA's Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.
"I thought Costa had more ability than that to be honest. I want to see him drift past a player and curl one into the top bracket, but he spends too much time getting into arguments," Bullard continued.
"That ain't football, Diego. I think he's got the ability to beat players, in his locker. It's a shame if he has to resort to this."
Meanwhile, Bullard also showed support for Gabriel. "I felt for the Brazilian lad Gabriel. I'd have backed Gabriel to have him, anyway. He was ready to go. I could see it in his eyes," Bullard said.
"He was thinking: 'Don't boy me off pal, I'll have ya!'"
