Monday 30 November 2015 17:11, UK
Tony Cascarino says Jose Mourinho was right to drop Diego Costa against Tottenham - but has backed him to return and score for Chelsea on Saturday Night Football.
The striker was left on the bench for Sunday's 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane after scoring just three Premier League goals this season and only four in all competitions.
Costa has been widely criticised for his performances and behaviour so far this term while by this point last season, the Spanish international had struck 11 times in the league leading Chelsea to a blistering start on their way to the Premier League title.
Mourinho maintains there is no issue with the former Atletico Madrid forward, even though there have been suggestions of a rift between the two, highlighted when Costa appeared to toss his bib over his shoulder towards the Blues boss after returning to the dugout while warming up during the game.
Cascarino has played that incident down and expects Costa to feature against Bournemouth on Saturday. He told Sky Sports Now: "These sorts of instances are more childish than anything.
"He's probably quite fortunate it didn't land on Jose because I think there might have been a different reaction from him.
"He (Mourinho) has dropped numerous Chelsea players this season and he's trying to find results. Could Diego complain? No.
"He's been indifferent this year. He's reached nowhere near the level of last season but I guarantee he'll be in the team against Bournemouth this weekend.
"I wouldn't be surprise if he scored. I'd be shocked if Jose didn't get him back in the side and give him a bit of a slap on the wrists. He hasn't played as well.
"What do you want to get from a player? You want a reaction and that's what he'll hope to get from him.
"That's what he got from Eden Hazard. He left him out and told him the reasons why and Hazard was Chelsea's best player on Sunday."
Costa's indifferent form in recent months has prompted speculation about whether he has a long-term future at Chelsea.
Cascarino believes he can improve again and play a key part. He added: "If he plays like he did in the early part of last season then yes. He scored a lot of goals, 22 last year.
"They need him to get back to that. He can find his form again and if you want to win titles and cups, you have to reach a level Costa was at in the first four or five months of last season.
"He had an okay end to the season but this season has been very, very poor. We all know what he's capable of and he not moving anywhere near as much.
"Off the ball and trying to get chances, he is getting involved in too many fights with individuals. Long term, I think Chelsea are better with Diego in the side but the Diego Costa of last season."
