Mourinho happy with Chelsea’s preparations, coy on Costa

With Diego Costa still a doubt for Saturday’s Premier League opener against Swansea City, Falcao or Loic Remy could be left to lead the line for a side looking well out of practice.

The Blues were passing the ball well but numerous efforts were blocked before reaching Sepe in the Fiorentina goals. It is not my way to be complaining about players who do not play.

Mourinho also played down fears surrounding Eden Hazard after the Belgian playmaker appeared to be limping after coming on as a second-half substitute, and also said that Victor Moses was fine despite being brought off with an apparent eye problem.

In an interview with talkSPORT, Mourinho stated that he’d hoped a summer free of football would allow Costa the rest he so badly needed and in turn, his hamstring would have sufficient time to properly heal.

“The transfer window is over, you know what I mean?” he said.

A solitary strike from Gonzalo Rodriguez was enough to hand Fiorentina a narrow 1-0 victory over Chelsea in an global Champions Cup encounter at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening.

The Blues host the Swans in the late kick off on Saturday but they could be without the Spain global when they start their title defence. I took him off in his best moment when he was in his best moment in the game.

That clamour will surely be on the increase now and Chelsea will certainly have to raise their game if they are to become the first team since Manchester United in 2009 to successfully defend their title. That’s seven outfield players missing only 10 games between them. The Frenchman, seemingly oblivious to his own size, clattered into the midfielder in something that would be certainly worthy of a red card during the regular season.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina looked to catch Chelsea on the break. Instead he chose to emphasise that there is a “long season” ahead.

In the aftermath, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was happy for one last tune-up before the Premier League kicks off on the weekend and wasn’t concerned with the result. We’ll soon find out.