Costa must not change his aggressive style; Hiddink

Interim Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink insists Diego Costa
must not change his aggressive style, as he prefers his
players to be passionate.

Spain international Costa is certain to be at the centre of the
action again when Chelsea visit rivals Arsenal on Sunday,
with the 27-year-old banned for three matches for violent
conduct after the previous clash between the teams in
September.

But Hiddink maintains he has no problem with Costa's
behaviour on the pitch, and has also lauded the forward's
attitude off the pitch.

"I'd prefer to have players who, sometimes, you have to
control or tell them 'a little bit less' than have to push them,"
he said.

"Sometimes you are misjudged by images. Off the pitch,
they seem to be the most vulnerable figures. He shows a lot
of joy to everyone.

"I observe the players when they are in the canteen, dealing
with people who prepare the pitches, not snobby or arrogant
- that's good to see.

"They're different characters off the pitch. On the pitch they
have that desperate will to win, almost at any cost. That's a
slight change in character and behaviour."

Costa has scored seven Premier League goals this season
as Chelsea sit 14th in the table after 22 games, and Hiddink
believes a win over the Gunners could kick-start their
campaign.

"This club is used to thinking about being top three or four in
England," the Dutchman said.

"Winning these games might bring confidence to the club
and the team to ask, ‘hey, where do we belong?’ And think
about why this team has fallen so deeply in the recent
period."