• Premier League

Mourinho: Costa a necessary risk

Jose Mourinho admits Chelsea can't afford to leave Diego Costa out for Sunday's Premier League clash at Manchester City.

Costa, who has scored seven times in four Premier League matches this season, was only a substitute for Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Schalke in the Champions League with Mourinho claiming his striker isn't ready to play more than one game a week after a hamstring problem recurred while on international duty earlier this month.

Diego Costa has had to manage a hamstring problem this season © Getty Images

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Asked if Costa was so important to Chelsea that Mourinho had to pick him, he said "yes" before agreeing that it was a risk.

"Diego is not in the best conditions, but he will start the game," said Mourinho, who reported no other injury problems.

"He plays this game, he cannot play against Bolton [in the League Cup next Wednesday]. It's as simple as that. I know clearly that we have to try to protect him until he gets completely fit."

Only rest will resolve the problem, but Mourinho, Costa and Chelsea's medical staff have discussed the issue as they bid to find a solution during a challenging period of fixtures.

Sunday's match at City is the first of four key domestic games in Champions League weeks for Chelsea.

The trip to Sporting Lisbon is followed by a home clash with Arsenal, Manchester United away follows the Maribor home tie and a date at Liverpool is immediately after the trip to Slovenia.

"In this moment I don't have this problem," Mourinho said. "Let's hope he comes in the right direction and becomes available to play every game."

Mourinho also insisted his relationship with City boss Manuel Pellegrini is good, despite their verbal clashes last season.

"We don't spend holidays together," Mourinho said. "I respect the person and the manager. I will be on the bench. If he comes, at his house [stadium] and gives me his hand, I will be more than happy to give him mine. I don't have a problem. Far from it, no problems."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd