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Your support makes all the difference.Guus Hiddink has vowed to protect Diego Costa from the kind of criticism that drove Luis Suarez out of English football.
Although the Chelsea striker will not face charges after Everton midfielder Gareth Barry confirmed Costa had not bitten him during the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday, he may still face disciplinary action. The Football Association confirmed it would be investigating Costa’s refusal to leave the pitch after being ordered off by referee Michael Oliver for a second yellow card following the altercation with Barry.
Hiddink argued that there should be a pause for reflection before the player is condemned as former Liverpool striker Suarez was. “It is easy to attack someone you don’t know, although he has committed errors,” said the Chelsea manager. “It is too easy when people gather and start punching someone figuratively. I will analyse what he has done and then try to protect the individual.”
Hiddink said Costa was particularly vulnerable to being wound up by the opposition and sometimes lost control when not properly fit.
“Fitness is a problem for him because it frustrates him and he wants to play,” he said. “We should have said that playing in the Champions League and FA Cup was difficult because of little injuries. But he was desperate to play.
“When the opponent knows you are vulnerable, there is big theatre.”
For the full match report from Chelsea vs Everton, click here.
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