Costa a doubt for Crystal Palace clash
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has indicated that Diego Costa is a doubt for Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace.
He has been nursing a hamstring problem for some time and Mourinho expressed concern about the striker’s fitness before he linked up with the Spain squad last week.
Costa featured in Euro 2016 qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg and may therefore be unable to start the derby at Selhurst Park.
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That would be a blow for the Blues as he has made a huge impact since his summer arrival from Atletico Madrid, scoring seven goals in his first nine Premier League matches.
Mourinho has hinted that Costa, 26, reported back to the club earlier than he otherwise would have so that he could undergo treatment in an attempt to get fit.
And Chelsea have other concerns – Ramires and Didier Drogba are still struggling with hip and ankle injuries respectively and John Mikel Obi is also carrying an injury.
Andre Schurrle, meanwhile, had to withdraw from the Germany squad because of illness and is also a doubt for this weekend’s game.
“I still want to wait until tomorrow but we have some problems, yes,” Mourinho said.
“The Spanish team played Luxembourg on Sunday and I gave Diego, Cesc Fabregas and Cesar Azpilicueta two days off.
“So they had to report for training on Wednesday at 3pm. Diego was here on Monday at 9am so you can imagine how strong he was.”
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