GUUS HIDDINK has revealed that he has had to rein in Diego Costa for his own good.
Costa has been pivotal to Chelsea’s resurgence under Hiddink, netting 10 goals and contributing six assists in his last 14 appearances.
His performances have helped Chelsea go from surprise strugglers to potential Champions League contenders – Hiddink’s men are eight points adrift of the top four with 10 games left to play.
Before Jose Mourinho’s dismissal in December, the Spanish striker had struggled to match the form he showed last year which saw him amass 20 Premier League goals.
However, since Hiddink’s arrival, Costa has ten goals in all competitions and looks close to his very best.
But the Dutch manager knows that the former Atletico Madrid hitman, who has already played 13 games since the turn of the year, must not burn himself out.
“He is in perfect physical shape, but we also must be careful not to overload him in games,” Hiddink said.
“We monitor them with the data of the medical team and I can make some conclusions from that.
“We are living in an emotional world but sometimes you have to be rational as well.
“I talk with him about his physical state, which is superb.
“There is always a danger of him doing too much, and if I share the figures with him he can be rational as well.
“We must let him go but sometimes I must put him on a leash.”
After a 2-1 win over Norwich on Tuesday in which Costa’s strike proved to be the winner, there had been some suggestions that Hiddink would rest him ahead of next week’s crucial Champions League second leg against Paris Saint- Germain.
But Hiddink confirmed that Costa will at least play some part in Chelsea’s clash with Stoke tomorrow at Stamford Bridge (3pm).
“He wants to play every game,” Hiddink added.
“It’s difficult to put a brake on him.
“Tomorrow he will start but maybe he will not play the full game.”
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