Chelsea vs Bournemouth - Jose Mourinho bemused by Diego Costa speculation but won't promise he'll start - 7M sport

Chelsea vs Bournemouth - Jose Mourinho bemused by Diego Costa speculation but won't promise he'll start



Posted Saturday, December 05, 2015 by PA

Chelsea vs Bournemouth - Jose Mourinho bemused by Diego Costa speculation but won't promise he'll start

Jose Mourinho sees no reason why Diego Costa's future is subject to speculation, but declined to say if the striker will start in Saturday's Barclays Premier League game against Bournemouth.

Costa dropped to the substitutes' bench for last week's draw at Tottenham and threw his bib in Mourinho's direction when it became apparent he would not feature at White Hart Lane.

Speculation has heightened that Chelsea are looking to recruit a new striker in January and that Costa, who has three Premier League goals this season, was nearing the end of his time at Stamford Bridge, 18 months after his B£32million move from Atletico Madrid.

Mourinho said: "I don't know why. For me no question marks. Always played, was on the bench one match, which I think is more than natural. No problems, no problems at all.

"I think he always tried to give his best, sometimes playing phenomenal, other times not so well. But he is a player that always tried.

"I didn't ask him (his reaction to last Sunday), but he trained very well. That's the only thing that matters to me.

"I cannot say better than ever, because normally he trains very well."

Mourinho declined to say if Thibaut Courtois would start in place of Asmir Begovic.

"He was our goalkeeper all last season," Mourinho added.

"We know how fundamental he was for us. It's very important that we have him back.

"To lose your number one for three months - 19 matches without the best goalkeeper in the world - was hard for us.

"Now we are again in a super situation by having the best (goalkeeper) and a very good one."

Asked if Courtois would start against the Cherries, Mourinho said: "Clearly sooner or later he will be my number one. If he doesn't play against Bournemouth, he will play against Porto (next Wednesday)."

Mourinho had hoped to have captain John Terry, Ramires and Radamel Falcao available, but the trio remain out.

Nemanja Matic is fit to play with a protective mask after sustaining two broken bones in his face against Tottenham.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is relishing the challenge of the trip to Stamford Bridge after last weekend's dramatic draw against Everton.

The Cherries twice recovered from seemingly lost causes - the second deep into stoppage time - to earn a 3-3 result against the Toffees, salvaging a vital point in their bid for Premier League survival.

And Howe believes his players have been buoyed by that performance and are ready to take on Jose Mourinho's below-par defending champions.

"It was certainly a nice feeling at the end of the game," the 38-year-old said, recalling the second of Junior Stanislas' levellers after Ross Barkley had briefly restored the visitors' lead at the Vitality Stadium.

"Those contrasting emotions in the last few minutes were so extreme.

"You hope a result like that can really boost the confidence of the players and that belief system you need to win games or get a point.

"Naturally it is a really good challenge for all of us. These are the games you want to be involved in.

"You want to be able to compete with the top (managers). He (Mourinho) has a record that is unrivalled.

"I didn't expect to be so close to them (in the table) but I think they are in a false position (14th). I am sure they will pick up points and climb.

"We are playing the champions. For me they are one of the best teams in the country.

"We are not underestimating the team. We fully respect them as a team and we are going to have to be at our very best to get anything."

Bournemouth have been struggling with injuries so far this season, with 10 of their squad unavailable for the Chelsea clash.

Howe said: "Whenever you get injuries, it is a test and a challenge for your squad to adapt and I think we have done that with the outfield positions.

"Certain people have been given opportunities that maybe would not have expected to get them, but they have grasped them in recent weeks.

"I think whoever is called upon will step up and help the team."



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