Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has panned the Premier League’s refereeing standards, claiming that his star striker Diego Costa is being victimised by officials.
As a result, Mourinho believes that Costa is playing his football completely differently to how he used to, which has disappointed him and left him frustrated.
He said: “Diego Costa is having an amazing season in terms of discipline and he has seven yellow cards.
“He’s being victimised? You have any doubts? Starting on day one when he was denied a penalty and given a yellow card at Burnley. He was booked for simulation – on day one.
“He has changed dramatically from the way he played in the past. I am frustrated, he is frustrated.”
Costa has been booked seven times this season, a significant amount given that he is a striker and Chelsea have only played 16 matches this campaign.
This means that Costa picks up a booking every 1.77 games.
Costa is renowned for his battling physical style, and was key to Atletico Madrid’s style last season as a result.
His excellent form for the Spanish side, which saw him aid them in a title win and run to the Champions League final, convinced Jose Mourinho to lay out a huge £32 million to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
Costa has rewarded him by scoring 12 goals in 16 games in the league.
