Avram Grant: How I would handle Chelsea striker Diego Costa

In the spotlight: Diego Costa has hit the headlines for his reaction to not playing against Tottenham
(Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Vaishali Bhardwaj2 December 2015

Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant has admitted he did not like Diego Costa's reaction to not being played against Tottenham at the weekend, and revealed he would respond by telling the striker to improve his form.

Costa was an unused substitute in Chelsea's match at White Hart Lane - which ended goalless - just days after he was seen arguing with Jose Mourinho during the club's Champions League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The Portuguese tactician insisted he has no problems with Costa, but called on the Spain international to start reading the game properly.

But Mourinho made the decision to leave Costa on the bench against Spurs and, upon realising he would not be brought on as a substitute late on, the striker reacted by tossing his bib seemingly towards the Chelsea manager.

The 27-year-old's reaction has been criticised by former player Jamie Redknapp and ex-Chelsea boss Ruud Gullit and Grant admitted he too did not like Costa's response - saying if the striker had done that under him, he would tell him to start playing better.

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When asked about Costa, Grant told Sky Sports: "It has not been an easy season for Diego Costa. But I did not like his reaction.

"On the one hand you want the players to be passionate and want to play, but imagine if all the players took off their shirts and threw them off. I don't think it would be good for the team.

"Publicly, I would not say anything but I would tell him face-to-face what I think of his behaviour and what he needs to do better to play."

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