Diego Costa dropped but Chelsea still toothless in goalless draw with Tottenham
Former Atletico Madrid striker Costa was involved in a half-time bust up with Mourinho during the Blues’ Champions League win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv last week.
Costa reacted angrily by tossing his substitute’s bib at Mourinho, his second open altercation with the Portuguese born manager in the last five days. “Playing the way we played, I wouldn’t be surprised if in the next 10 matches we don’t lose one”.
“It was a very good performance by Chelsea, a real Jose Mourinho display”.
The player was dropped to the bench before being an unused substitute in the 0-0 draw at Tottenham over the weekend.
“The little forward line of Eden Hazard backed up by Willian, Oscar and Pedro were incessant in their scurrying and closing down”, Nevin added.
Jose Mourinho’s relationship with Diego Costa came under renewed scrutiny after the Chelsea manager dropped the striker for the 0-0 draw at Tottenham in the English Premier League.
It would be interesting to see whether these turn of events leads the Spain worldwide to work harder and regain his form, or whether it leads to his exit from Stamford Bridge. “A top player on the bench will not be happy”, Mourinho is quoted as saying by the BBC.
Mourinho was quick to point out that other senior players have spent time on the bench this season, “I think Diego is very privileged”, he said.
“At 0-0 I still thought we could score a goal so why change if I felt we could not improve? I know to give my all wherever I am on the pitch”, Hazard told Chelsea TV. I don’t think Tottenham were happy when they saw how we were playing today.
“You aren’t going to make any difference with him, the next time you leave him out he’ll be exactly the same when he’s sitting on the bench – he’s one of those fellas”. It was a petulant reaction but you’d think from the reaction on social media that he had walked up to Mourinho and punched him in the face.
“We try to take game after game and win game after game, ‘ he said”.
“This is a good thing (that we are disappointed)”, said the Argentine, whose side remain fifth in the table.
“I’m convinced that, by the end of December, we’ll be in a different position to now and we’ll have shortened the difference to the top teams”. It is a good result, we didn’t have many good chances but Lloris made a good save from me.