Mourinho Offers Team News Update On Costa, Cahill & Ramires + Predicted XI vs Derby

Chelsea continue to work towards a historic quadruple when they take on Derby County at Pride Park in the quarter final of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night.

Ahead of the game, Jose Mourinho has been speaking to the media and gave reporters a team news and injury update, and has promised to name a strong side for the game.

The only player who will be completely left out of the travelling squad is defender Gary Cahill, with the centre-back given a well earned rest. In his absence, Kurt Zouma will start at the back and most likely partner skipper John Terry in central defence.

Mourinho also revealed that he feels Diego Costa is finally fully-fit with the striker now running freely after recovering from his niggling hamstring problem that’s plagued him in recent months.

However, the Blues boss does still have concerns over Ramires with the midfielder still struggling to shake off a troublesome groin injury that’s seen him play a limited amount of football over the past two months.

Mourinho told reporters:

“I will pick the best possible team,”

“We have no reason to rest people, everybody goes. The only one that is not going is Cahill, but that is only because he played against Sporting Lisbon last week. So I will play Kurt Zouma.

“We are going to play against a top team in the Championship. The difference between a top team in the Championship and Premier League teams is very, very small. We played there last season and it was not easy.”

“You feel Diego played against Hull with happiness in his legs, no problems, no fears,”

“Running, chasing, looking for movement, pressing opponents.

“I think in this moment it’s the first time after his injury that we can feel what we still don’t feel about Ramires. Ramires is being a champion: a fantastic professional. Step by step, working hard and always available for the team.

“But still on the break, you can see Ramires sprint, making a movement like before, but he’s in trouble. We are giving him what time we can, 10-15 minutes off the bench, because we need him and we are waiting for him. He is not ready to start at Derby.”

Although Costa is now considered fully-fit, Mourinho may take this opportunity to give him a rest with Didier Drogba or Loic Remy handed a rare start up front.

Petr Cech is expected to continue in goal with Thibaut Courtois given more time to fully recover from a muscle injury that saw him miss Saturday’s win over Hull City.

Cesc Fabregas returns from suspension and is expected to come straight back in to the side while Cesar Azpilicueta should start after right-back after being rested at the weekend, which will give Branislav Ivanovic a breather.

Therefore, this is the side we think will start against Derby tomorrow:

What do you think of the team? What side would you put out?