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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is worried about his striker Diego Costa’s fitness as he has revealed that his recurring hamstring injuries are becoming a concern for the club.
The 26-year-old had a spectacular start to his tenure at the Stamford Bridge scoring goals in almost every game during the first half of the season. However, hamstring problems re-emerged for the former Atletico Madrid man as he endured an inconsistent spell during the business end of the campaign managing only seven league starts, although he ended up scoring 20 goals which were crucial in Chelsea’s march towards their fourth title in the Premier League era.
And the story during this campaign’s pre-season has been somewhat similar to the last 18 months as the striker was forced off during Chelsea’s friendly win against FC Barcelona. This caused him to eventually sit out their Community Shield match against Arsenal which Chelsea lost 1-0 and he also missed the friendly fixture against Serie A outfit Fiorentina.
Mourinho won’t risk his reputation by commenting on the Costa situation
While Chelsea’s £32m star man’s injury woes seem to persist, concerns have grown inside the Blues camp and Mourinho certainly is concerned especially after the medical staff have n’t been able to determine the extent of the injury on the scan results, meaning the club have no idea when he will be 100 percent again.
"Costa is not ready. It is not a good feeling for him, it is not a good feeling for me," Mourinho told reporters. "I have to be honest and say that it is a bit of a concern. A player that didn't finish the season and [then] doesn't start the season obviously doesn't make me happy."The boy is trying hard but he has a problem against Barcelona [last Tuesday]. The scans show there is no injury so next day he trains, but the next day he is not comfortable. Then, 24 hours before the [Community Shield], we don't know if he plays or doesn't play.The former Real Madrid manager added, "I won’t risk my reputation again. You asked me before last weekend and I told you he was ready to play. He wasn’t. I don’t know. I don’t risk saying yes, and I don’t risk saying no. On Friday at the next press conference I think I will tell you again that I don’t know."
Chelsea begin their 2014/15 Premier League season against Swansea at home. Even without Costa, Mourinho has Loic Remy and new recruit from Manchester United Radamel Falcao at his disposal.
