Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has said he expects striker Diego Costa to “come back strongly” after being dropped to the bench for Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Tottenham.
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“If he wants to hurt me, it’s not with a bib. I have a good relationship with him”.
Ivanovic, Chelsea’s captain in the injury-enforced absence of John Terry, believes Costa will react to his omission from the team in a positive way.
“It’s always hard to play at Tottenham”.
However, despite desire from supporters to see him play behind the centre-forward, which is normally Diego Costa, Mourinho remains reluctant.
The Portuguese pointed out that all the first-team players have been left out at some stage this season and that Costa has been the last to be dropped despite scoring just four goals in all competitions. It’s all about the team.
“Like everyone else I would have liked us to sneak all three points and if it wasn’t for a great save by Hugo Lloris from Hazard it would have happened, but in reality it is a decent point most seasons and it was the right result on the day”.
Hazard is one of few players Mourinho has singled out that he requires better performances from. Top players are not happy on the bench so his behaviour is normal and he was ready to play when we he went to warm up. Playing the way we played, I would not be surprised if we don’t lose one of the next 10 games. “I know to give my all wherever I am on the pitch”.
“We try to take game after game and win game after game”.
“The next game is important and every week is a massive challenge”.
Yet a home game against the joint-worst defence in the Premier League – Eddie Howe’s side have conceded 30 goals already – would appear an obvious opportunity to boost the confidence of a player who has scored only seven club goals since January.
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“Maybe in the past it was different, more people were sure of their spots, but at the moment everyone is capable of playing and that is something I hope will make everyone focus, including myself”.
