Jose Mourinho: My Chelsea players ‘needed’ to party - it’s good for team morale

Night out: Diego Costa was seen leaving Libertine nightclub at 3.15am on Thursday morning
Splash News
Vaishali Bhardwaj4 December 2015

Jose Mourinho has revealed Diego Costa, Ramires, Kenedy and the rest of the Chelsea players needed a night out in London this week to lift their spirits - but insisted the team had consulted him about their party.

Standard Sport reported on Thursday that Chelsea were aware of their players' plans, and no club curfews were broken, which has now been confirmed by Mourinho.

The Portuguese coach said that Costa, Ramires and Kenedy travelled into London for their night out with the full blessing of the club, and revealed the trio had been joined by the rest of their teammates - despite the fact they were not photographed leaving the nightclub.

"There were 25 players inside. The ones that come out before Diego weren't pictured. I don't think he [the photographer] did a good job because he got three [players]," Mourinho said on Friday.

Chelsea players leaving Libertines Club

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"It was a free night for them and we know that and we choose a week without three matches, a week where everything was calm and no accumulation of matches.

"They consulted me about when to do it and I said a bit far before Christmas because it will be busy. The next morning in training, everyone was really good.

"They needed that and I'm happy. They need that [team spirit]. Half of them live in London, half of them live outside. They told me that dinner was good and after dinner was even better. It's good for them."

Mourinho opted to drop Costa for Chelsea's game away to Tottenham on Sunday, choosing to instead start Eden Hazard up front.

Costa was asked to warm up late on, but then reacted to not being brought on by tossing his bib seemingly in the direction of Mourinho.

The Chelsea boss did not confirm whether the Spain international would play against Bournemouth on Saturday, but said he was still happy with Costa's effort in training this week.

When asked whether the 27-year-old would regain his place in Chelsea's starting line-up, Mourinho said: "I don't know, but he's selected. I cannot say better than that because normally he trains very well.

"I didn't ask him [about being dropped]. The only thing that matters for me is that he trained very well.

"He's always played and has been on the bench for one match, which is more than natural. No problems.

"He always tried to give his best. Sometimes [he's] phenomenal, sometimes not. But he always tried. I need him to be what he always is and try hard."

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