Chelsea News: Major injury boost, dressing room revelation, Diego Costa warning

Thibaut Courtois could be back for Chelsea this weekend

NEWS NEWS BLOG SPORT brings you the latest news from Stamford Bridge.

 

Thibaut Courtois is set to regain his place as Chelsea's number one against Bournemouth on Saturday after recovering from knee injury.

The big Belgian injured himself on international duty in September and Asmir Begovic has deputised in his place over the last three months.

But the Guardian claims the Bosnian will drop to the bench provided Courtois proves his fitness after returning to full training.

Branislav Ivanovic has given an insight into the Chelsea dressing room after their difficult start to the season.

The Blues have steadied the ship in recent matches but still lie in 14th place in the Premier League.

 

"The period before and after a match is completely different to any other time because we are under pressure from the game and we feel things changing inside ourselves – we are completely different people," Ivanovic told the club's website.

"Inside the dressing room, we motivate each other and are really different than we are on normal days.

"That atmosphere we create before the game is a big influence on every big result we get.

"We all celebrate differently when we win, but in that period immediately after the game you can see how important a win is to us and how much it means to the team.

"This is an expression of how we are all feeling and it’s important to have this passion within the team.

 

"All of us have different routines but in the end, when you look at it, the motivation is very similar in all of us."

Paul Merson has warned Jose Mourinho that he can't afford to leave Diego Costa out of the starting line-up against Bournemouth.

The Spaniard was dropped to the bench of the goalless draw against Tottenham last weekend and reacted to being snubbed by throwing his bib in Jose Mourinho’s direction.

“Diego Costa has to play for Chelsea. If he doesn't I think Bournemouth could get something,” Merson told Sky Sports.

 

“Eddie Howe could set them up to squash the play and force Chelsea into playing it long.

“If they are forced to go long Eden Hazard, Pedro, Willian, and Oscar are not going to win any balls.

“Bournemouth will be buoyed by the late goal they got against Everton. It was a big goal and something they can build on but it's not ideal for them to have to travel to Stamford Bridge straight away.

“If Howe can get his tactics right and press Chelsea they will cause Jose Mourinho's side a few problems. 

“If they don't it will be a comfortable win for the home side.”