England
rugby union boss Eddie Jones has revealed he is an admirer of "big mongrel"
Diego Costa.
The Chelsea striker, who has an infamously stroppy and snarling demeanour on
the pitch, has been firing in the goals to help propel the Blues to the top
of the Premier League table this season.
The term 'mongrel' has a specific connotation to Australians in a sporting
context - it is an aggressive and determined quality which is much admired
and sought-after Down Under.
And Jones, whose England team won all their matches in his first year in
charge, picked out Costa and his Chelsea team-mate Cesc Fabregas as two
footballers he is enjoying watching.
"I love Diego Costa, he's a big mongrel," he told The Sun. "Hard and
skilful, he's a bit like [England No 8] Billy Vunipola.
"I like the little guy Cesc Fabregas too - he's got great vision and reminds
me of [England fly-half] George Ford.
"I just love all the sport here, I love the Premier League. I love the
drama, the twists and turns, the interaction between managers. It's great to
watch."
Jones spent time observing Pep Guardiola when the Manchester City boss was
at Bayern Munich and the Australian is a huge admirer of his coaching
ability.
One footballing crossover he is yet to make - so far at least - is copying
the infamous 'hairdryer treatment' of former Manchester United boss Sir Alex
Ferguson.
And Jones says he doubts that modern players would respond as positively as
those in Fergie's era.
Jones said: "I haven't had to use the hairdryer - yet. But it's still in my
back pocket and I can get it out if I need to.
"You don't use it as much now. In the old days you could come in and get
people to respond to it. Young kids don't respond to it any more, they just
turn off. You have to engage them emotionally now. Their whole life is
different."
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