Tony
Cascarino says Jose Mourinho was right to drop Diego Costa against Tottenham
- but has backed him to return and score for Chelsea on
Saturday Night
Football.
The striker was left on the bench for Sunday's 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane
after scoring just three Premier League goals this season and only four in
all competitions.
Costa has been widely criticised for his performances and behaviour so far
this term while by this point last season, the Spanish international had
struck 11 times in the league leading Chelsea to a blistering start on their
way to the Premier League title.
Mourinho maintains there is no issue with the former Atletico Madrid
forward, even though there have been suggestions of a rift between the two,
highlighted when Costa appeared to toss his bib over his shoulder towards
the Blues boss after returning to the dugout while warming up during the
game.
Cascarino has played that incident down and expects Costa to feature against
Bournemouth on Saturday. He told Sky Sports Now: "These sorts of instances
are more childish than anything.
"He's probably quite fortunate it didn't land on Jose because I think there
might have been a different reaction from him.
"He (Mourinho) has dropped numerous Chelsea players this season and he's
trying to find results. Could Diego complain? No.
"He's been indifferent this year. He's reached nowhere near the level of
last season but I guarantee he'll be in the team against Bournemouth this
weekend.
"I wouldn't be surprise if he scored. I'd be shocked if Jose didn't get him
back in the side and give him a bit of a slap on the wrists. He hasn't
played as well.
"What do you want to get from a player? You want a reaction and that's what
he'll hope to get from him.
"That's what he got from Eden Hazard. He left him out and told him the
reasons why and Hazard was Chelsea's best player on Sunday."
Costa's indifferent form in recent months has prompted speculation about
whether he has a long-term future at Chelsea.
Cascarino believes he can improve again and play a key part. He added: "If
he plays like he did in the early part of last season then yes. He scored a
lot of goals, 22 last year.
"They need him to get back to that. He can find his form again and if you
want to win titles and cups, you have to reach a level Costa was at in the
first four or five months of last season.
"He had an okay end to the season but this season has been very, very poor.
We all know what he's capable of and he not moving anywhere near as much.
"Off the ball and trying to get chances, he is getting involved in too many
fights with individuals. Long term, I think Chelsea are better with Diego in
the side but the Diego Costa of last season."
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