Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says his relationship with striker Diego Costa is still very solid.
Advertisement
However, Costa was omitted from the starting line-up for the trip to White Hart Lane and, having not participated fully in the warm-up, later threw his bib toward the manager when Ruben Loftus-Cheek was brought on as the final substitute in second-half stoppage time.
Following a clash with Jose Mourinho during the Champions League win at Maccabi Tel Aviv last week, the Spaniard was dropped for Sunday’s match and was seen throwing his bib in the manager’s direction in the closing stages of the 0-0 draw. Everyone else has been: the captain (John Terry), (Branislav) Ivanovic, (Gary) Cahill, the vice-captain of England, (Cesc) Fabregas, Pedro, (Eden) Hazard, player of the season, Oscar; everyone was on the bench. “I think playing the way we played, I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t lose one in the next 10 matches”.
The decision to drop Costa was purely tactical as Mourinho confirmed that “physically Diego is fine” and that he felt dropping him was “the best strategy” heading into the game against Tottenham, but with his side unable to score, some may argue whether or not that was accurate.
“I expect him to come back strongly”.
He scored against Norwich – the winning goal. It’s all about the team.
Hazard believes there would be no discussion at all if he was showing the kind of form that saw him pick up both the PFA and Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year awards last season. A top player on the bench will not be happy.
“Chelsea had only one shot on target and it was a good save from Hugo Lloris”, said the Argentine.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino also did not get the result he wanted as his side extended their unbeaten run to 13 games, their only Premier League defeat this term coming on the opening day at Manchester United.
Champions Chelsea have made a dismal start to their title defence, losing seven of their first 12 league games to sit five points above the relegation zone, and Mourinho said it had been a learning experience. We’re happy with the decision and with the performance of the players. “Liverpool have improved markedly under Jurgen Klopp and most people feel that the majority of the improvement can be put down to the hard work put in by every man in red on the pitch”.
Advertisement
“This weekend we will be enemies because we both want to win the game”.
