Mourinho: Costa has to be careful

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes Diego Costa does not need to change his ways but must be wary of how opponents react to his combative approach.

Mourinho, who will have Costa leading the attack when the Blues face Tottenham in Sunday’s Capital One Cup final at Wembley, said: “He has to be careful, but not with his behaviour.

“He has to be careful because of the way other players and, as a consequence of that, the way referees look at him – not how he has played since he arrived in England. He is doing very well.”

Costa has scored 17 goals in 20 Premier League appearances this season, but is yet to find the net in nine games in the three cup competitions.

Chelsea are without John Mikel Obi, who is still sidelined with a knee problem, while fellow midfielder Nemanja Matic starts a two-match suspension following his controversial sending off against Burnley.

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