Spanish international also set to lead the line against Arsenal this weekend as well.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has admitted that he will be starting star striker Diego Costa against both Sporting Lisbon and Arsenal this week amid fitness concerns over the player, the Daily Mail reports.
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Costa’s participation is ever shrouded in doubt as he nurses tight hamstrings but with Didier Drogba left behind in London with an ankle injury Mourinho has decided to risk his eight-goal striker rather than play Loic Remy at centre-forward.
“In this moment, if Diego can play, I play Diego,” said the Chelsea boss.
“The team had a pre-season with him. The team worked with him a lot of times. He’s playing with us every match in the Premier League. So the team at this moment is more made to play with Diego.
“I think Remy is learning how to play with us. His pace is good, his movement is good, he can get behind defenders, he’s not bad in the air. He has some similarities with Diego and if he has to play, no problem. But I prefer to play Diego.
“There is a risk, yes. But we assume the risk and he plays. I don’t rest people. I make decisions. I don’t think about Arsenal on Sunday. I think about Sporting. I’m going to start with the team I think is the best team.”
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