Costa: Players Are To Blame  (Sky Sports)

Diego Costa says Chelsea's players have been too "relaxed" and must take the blame for their slow start to the Premier League season.

Jose Mourinho's side won the Premier League by eight points last season, but are in 12th place after nine games of the current campaign having lost four times already.

And in an exclusive chat with Soccer AM's Tubes, to be aired on Saturday morning, striker Costa insisted the players must all look at themselves.

"I think we are to blame, the players," he said.

"Like I've been saying we came back too relaxed and thinking we were going to win it again like last season.

"I think the other teams got stronger and we have to take a further step in terms of quality and effort as a group."

Costa was hit with a three-match ban earlier this season after being found guilty of violent conduct during a 2-0 win over Arsenal in September.

But when asked if he played better when he is angry, he insisted he thrives when he feels the adoration of his own supporters, as much as the wrath of the opposition.

"I think I have been playing for a few years, with supporters and the opposition against me," Costa added.

"I think that makes me get better each day. I think this is part of the game, this is football, when we play at home with the Chelsea supporters calling my name, this is something that always gives me a lift.

"Every player needs this support, when you have supporters that are cheering and pushing the team forward, you can feel the energy."

Don't miss Soccer AM from 10am on Saturday morning when Diego Costa tells Tubes more about dealing with the language barrier and his favourite Chelsea song.