Mourinho relaxed over Chelsea party and Costa future

After Chelsea's team night out hit the headlines, Jose
Mourinho has had his say and backed striker Diego
Costa.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he was in favour of his
side's team night out in midweek, adding that Diego Costa's
future remains at Stamford Bridge despite speculation to the
contrary.

A number of Chelsea players, including Costa, were
pictured partying in London this week, just days after the Spain
international was dropped to the bench following an apparent
spat with Mourinho.

Costa - who has just three league goals to his name - was
spotted arguing with Mourinho during the Champions League
win over Maccabi Tel Aviv last week, before failing to fully take
part in the warm-up ahead of a goalless Premier League draw
at Tottenham and hurling a bib in Mourinho's direction on the
bench.

The incidents have seen Costa linked with an exit, but Mourinho
said on Friday: "I don't know why [there is speculation on his
future]. There are no question marks for me. He always gives
his best.

"He has always played. He was on the bench for one match,
which I think is more than natural. No problems at all. I think he
always gives his best, sometimes he is phenomenal, other times
he is not.

"He always tries but I don't have a problem that I need a
reaction from him. I just need him to be what he is and try
hard."

Victories over Norwich City and Maccabi, coupled with
Sunday's draw against Spurs, have improved morale at
Stamford Bridge after a dismal start to their campaign.

While there was plenty of attention on Chelsea's midweek
party, Mourinho claimed the press had targeted certain players.

"I think the paparazzi had a problem with their memory cards
because there were 25 players inside and they only got three,"
the Portuguese added.

"The ones that come out before Diego Costa, no-one was
with their memory cards, also the paparazzi had to go home
immediately after to have only got three guys when there are 25
there.

"It was a free night for them and we know that and choose the
week without three matches. It is a week where everything was
calm and they could train and rest with no accumulation of
matches.

"They consulted me about a moment and I told them [it needed
to be] a bit far from Christmas because Christmas will be busy
so they choose this week. I agree completely.

"The next morning in training everyone was really good. They
needed that and I'm happy, the paparazzi was not the best.

"They told me dinner was good and after dinner was even better,
so everyone is happy."