The Chelsea FC manager was able to speak publicly about the Diego Costa ban for the first time, and did so after his Blues side swept away Walsall 4-1 in the third round of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday
Spain international Diego Costa was charged by the F.A. for violent conduct for his altercation with Arsenal FC centre-back Laurent Koscielny, earning him a three-match suspension — the first of which he served in Wednesday’s win over Walsall.
Chelsea FC manager Jos Mourinho vowed to keep his counsel regarding the matter, saying that the last thing his side needed was to lose their manager after losing such an important player in Diego Costa.
Mourinho believes the team is hurt by Costa ban
Predictably, the Blues’ manager was asked for his comments on the Diego Costa ban subsequent to his team’s 4-1 win over League One outfit Walsall in the third round of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday.
Mourinho said (via chelseafc.com): “I dona t comment. If I comment, bring examples, go deep and bring feelings into the discussion, a big suspension will be waiting for me. I dona t want that, the team doesna t need that.
“The team lost an important player for three matches and they dona t need to lose their manager, so I prefer to keep calm and quiet.
“Every time we lose a player ita s not good for the team. I think ita s easier to accept an injury. An injury is part of the game and we have to be mentally ready for it. This situation goes deeper in feelings. Obviously the team is hurt but as I was saying although I dona t play, score goals, and tackle, my communication on the pitch is positive for the team, so I prefer to be quiet.”
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Opportunity for R my to stake a first-team claim
France international LoA?c R my made his first start of the season last week in the UEFA Champions League against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, and followed that up with a goal in his second start in the Capital One Cup. The former Newcastle United man looked sharp throughout, and worked very hard off the ball in his right-wing position, something that would undoubtedly have pleased his manager Jos Mourinho.
The suspension of first-choice striker Diego Costa combined with the awful performance of Radamel Falcao on Wednesday against Walsall means that the Frenchman is likely to be the Blues’ first-choice striker for the next few games.
R my made an impression for Chelsea FC last season, but that largely came during the second half, with Diego Costa and the team on fire in the first half. However, this season the 28-year-old has an early opportunity to prove his worth to Mourinho, and could begin showing it when the Blues take on his old team Newcastle United on Saturday.