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Costa can do 'almost nothing' in training, says Mourinho

Diego Costa has scored eight league goals for Chelsea so far this season © Getty Images

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Jose Mourinho has admitted leading goalscorer Diego Costa can do "almost nothing" during training as Chelsea's medical team struggle to get him fit for consecutive matches.

Costa, who joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in a £32 million deal this summer, is the Premier League's leading scorer, having found the net on eight occasions so far.

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He was on the scoresheet as Chelsea sealed a regulation 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Mourinho however, said Costa would find it difficult to maintain his rich vein of goalscoring form with injuries plaguing his training regime.

"He is doing almost nothing," said Mourinho. "He's just resting and recovering from the tight muscle he has every time he accumulates fatigue. I hope he goes home after this game and sleeps until tomorrow morning.

"He cannot be at the top of his game but even so, scoring a goal is good for his confidence, especially for a player who isn't training as he should because we are protecting him."

Chelsea would like Spain to leave Costa out of their squad for the upcoming internationals, but Mourinho has ruled out an official request to head coach Vincente del Bosque to rest the player.

"If he doesn't go to the national team, and stays here 15 days on treatment, recovering and making the muscle and the areas around muscle stronger, he has the perfect chance to be top for Chelsea and top for national team," Mourinho said.

"If he doesn't have this period, he will be always play one game and then be in trouble for the next one. The muscle is tight and the muscle is in danger to have a rupture.

"We can't do anything. I can't speak to Spain manager. It's not something I should do. From moment they are selected for national team the players belong to them. Everything is in their hands and you have to respect the decisions."

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