Spaniard missed out against Palace and won’t be available to face Maribor.
It seems that the often mooted hamstring problems of Chelsea striker Diego Costa are becoming a reality, with Blues manager Jose Mourinho hitting out at the Spanish national side, according to the Mail, after Costa missed out on the matchday squad for the Blues’ narrow victory at Crystal Palace today.
SEE MORE:
Out of contract XI
Former Tottenham manager slates Soldado
Palace fans banner targets Abramovich
Chelsea were able to win the game at Selhurst Park without their top goalscorer, but Mourinho was clearly disappointed by the loss of Costa to injury after the match and delivered a scathing, sarcastic volley in the direction of the Spanish national side:
“After Arsenal he went to the national team, played two big matches and has come back in a condition where he can’t play.”
“I think he’ll be in great condition in mid-November to be back for the national team. We’ll take good care of him.”
Despite his stunning goalscoring record over the last couple of years, Costa has always had problems with his hamstrings, something that reared its head towards the end of Atletico Madrid’s stunning 2013/14 season, with Costa limping out of both the climax of the La Liga season and the Champions League season.
Mourinho is clearly keen to ensure that they tread carefully with Costa’s fitness, but his absence was clear today despite the Chelsea victory.