Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink has insisted that he likes the fact that striker Diego Costa plays with a fiery temper after another controversial night.
The Spaniard was at the centre of a number of incidents during the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Having already been booked for a rash challenge on Craig Gardner, the former Atletico Madrid striker was involved in several heated confrontations with the likes of Jonas Olsson and Boaz Myhill at the full time whistle.
It isn’t the first time that Costa’s temperament has been brought into question, and it remains to be seen whether or not he proves to be costly for his team in the coming weeks and months.
However, Hiddink has no issue with it and believes that his personality plays a crucial part in what makes him the top class player that he is.
“If you have watched closely and carefully, they were a bit provoking and it was mutual. Those clashes, I didn’t see any bad things in this,” he told the media in his post-game press conference, as noted by Sky Sports.
After reports that Costa had kicked in the wall in the Stamford Bridge tunnel, Hiddink was similarly dismissive. “Well we can repair that easily, that’s not a big problem. He’s an emotional guy and I like that very much.”
Costa has now picked up six yellow cards in the Premier League this season, the biggest tally of any forward in the English top flight.