Diego Costa has not given up hope of handing Chelsea a Premier League opening-day fitness boost. He still thinks he could play, despite the hamstring injuries that have been nagging him for months. He only played in 26 of 38 Premier League games last year, and Chelsea were still able to run away with the league title.
Costa missed most of his time in mid to late October last season; being out of commission for 19 days and 4 games October 12th-31st. Jose Mourinho said today that if Diego Costa can’t go tomorrow versus Swansea, then either Radamel Falcao or Loic Remy will get the starting nod. That’s obviously a tremendous step down. Chelsea itself has not looked quite right this preseason, and the issues were most present at the striker position. Remy and Falcao have just one goal between the two of them during all the summer friendlies.
Of course, again, it is just preseason.
Diego Costa enjoyed a bright start to his first season in the Premier League following a £32 million move from Atletico Madrid, netting seven goals in his opening four games, including a hat-trick against Swansea; tomorrow’s opponents.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country.
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