Jose Mourinho reveals Costa wasn’t fit to start in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Schalke

After Didier Drogba was given the nod in the Chelsea attack to face Schalke in yesterday's Champions League match, while putting in a below par display and ultimately being subbed for Diego Costa, questions were asked of manager Jose Mourinho why the Ivorian played ahead of Chelsea’s in-form striker.

18 September 2014, 2:36pm

1 min read

Jose Mourinho

By Crippy Cooke

Mourinho revealed the 25-year-old, who signed from Atletico Madrid this summer, wasn’t fit to play tonight due to his participation for Spain in their international game against France.

"He went to the national team and after the game against France he came back to us injured. He came to us (from Atletico) and he was completely fine. He had a problem again in the national team, not with us,” said Mourinho.

“Today he was not in condition to play. Sunday we believe he is. Next week against Bolton (in the Capital One Cup) for sure he isn't. We have to manage the situation until the moment he's completely fine. If today he starts the game, for sure he cannot play on Sunday. We have to go step by step."

Costa has been in fine form this season, scoring seven goals in four Premier League games. The Spanish international won’t have been happy not to be playing, considering he put in a sterling display in his last league game against Swansea City on the 13th of September, bagging a hat-trick.

Drogba’s performance against Schalke certainly didn’t justify the decision either.

For more articles and the latest soccer news, check out FTBpro.com