Chelsea striker Diego Costa is set to miss Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace, and may miss the rest of the season should the Blues clinch the title with victory this weekend.
Costa has been struggling with a recurring hamstring problem this season and Jose Mourinho has said the Spain international “isn’t worth the risk” for this weekend, due to Chelsea’s form over the last month.
“In this process, over the last month, if we lost a game and we didn’t want to lose a second, he would be back immediately.
“Because the results in the last month were always victories and a draw, we don’t need to rush. We are trying to give him maximum stability for him to be stronger and stronger. Remy is fit, definitely back.
“If we win Sunday, I don’t think he (Costa) will play against Liverpool. If we don’t win and we need points against Liverpool, I would say he plays. It is about result after result, need after needs.”
Loic Remy, however, is fit to face Palace in this weekends title decider, following a spell on the sidelines since 4th April, the same time Costa picked his injury up.
The French striker scored two crucial winning goals against Hull and Stoke before picking up a knock at the beginning of April.
Mourinho also mentioned the importance of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, in the absence of Costa and Remy.
Asked whether he was expecting Drogba to make such an impact, Mourinho said: “Yes, I was expecting it. Important goals he’s scored in the Capital One Cup. Important goals, not a huge amount, in the Premier League.
“The three strikers will always have time and matches. Rotation, form, performance, cards, injuries, different competitions, there would always be space and time for all of them.”
Chelsea will be hoping to win their first league title in five years this weekend.
