Despite his assertion this week that losing to Arsenal on Sunday would not really mean all that much to Chelsea or have a say on their ability to retain the Premier League trophy they won at a canter last season, not many Arsenal fans or anyone who knows much about football really believes Jose Mourinho.
And his decision to play the Spanish international centre forward Diego Costa at Wembley tomorrow just reinforces our feeling and makes Mourinho’s words seem as hypocritical as ever. Actions speak louder than words they say and to play their star striker in what is supposedly a fairly meaningless game just a week before the Premier League begins and just after Costa suffered a twinge to his dodgy hamstring in their last pre-season game, speaks volumes to me.
Of course Chelsea and Mourinho want to win, we know that and it is no surprise, but risking Costa tells me that Jose is desperate to preserve his unbeaten record against Arsene Wenger. And not just for the bragging rights, although he does so love to brag, but because it may well remove a key stumbling block for Arsenal and our own ability to keep improving and take the title away from Stamford Bridge this season.
Do not forget that Costa missed a great deal of the second half of last season. The last time Mourinho took a risk with him, and admitted that he had, was bringing him on at halftime when they were drawing with Stoke. The striker limped off after just 10 minutes so you would think Mourinho would be extra careful.
Is Jose really ready to take such a risk because he is worried about what would happen if Arsenal beat him in the Community Shield or am I reading too much into it all?
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