Mourinho Admits Injury Concern As Chelsea Star Faces Spell On The Sidelines

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has admitted concern over Diego Costa’s fitness after the striker suffered another hamstring problem during Sunday’s 3-2 win at Hull City.

Costa was among the goals again yesterday as his fine strike gave Chelsea a 2-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes at the KC Stadium.

However, the 26-year-old was forced off with 15 minutes remaining and was seen holding his left hamstring as he went straight down the tunnel with one of the clubs medical team.

The BBC claim he will undergo a scan today to determine the full extent of the injury but he’s now a major doubt to take part in Spain’s upcoming internationals with the former World Champions facing Ukraine in their Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday before playing Holland in a friendly next week.

Costa has been plagued by hamstring problems over the past 12 months and Jose Mourinho has admitted that the striker has a weakness in that area. The Blues boss also cast doubt over whether his 20-goal striker will be fit to face Stoke City in two weeks time but is confident they have enough depth in attack to cope with his absence.

Speaking after Sunday’s win over Hull, Mourinho is quoted as saying by the BBC:

“If he cannot play in the next game against Stoke in 15 days, we have Remy, we have Didier Drogba.”

“We know his hamstring is not a strong one. He works hard in the week to compensate for the weakness he has there but the injury can come.”

“He tried to play the Champions League final for Atletico Madrid [last season] and was injured again and again and again. He has this fragility.”

Costa’s replacement yesterday was Lois Remy and the Frenchman grabbed a vital winner to secure a 3-2 victory just seconds after coming on, and he’ll be hoping for more game-time if the Spaniard is ruled out for any period of time.

Chelsea’s latest win sees them restore a six point lead over Manchester City with a game in hand so they are firmly in the driving seat to reclaim the Premier League title this campaign.

However, should Costa’s hamstring injury turn out to be serious, then his absence could yet open the door for the likes of Man City, and possibly even Arsenal and United, as we approach the business end of the season.