Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is happy with his side’s preparations ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener, although he did reveal his concerns over the ongoing fitness problems of striker Diego Costa.
Chelsea lost their final game of pre-season, going down 1-0 to Serie A side Fiorentina, Gonzalo Rodriguez scoring the only goal in the 35th minute.
Chelsea, who start their Premier League title defence at home against Swansea City, won two of their four pre-season friendlies, both on penalties, and also lost the Community Shield match against London rivals Arsenal.
“We have the real football on Saturday and today we couldn’t face this game in another way,” Mourinho told Chelsea’s website.
“We got competitive minutes against a good team who played for a result and gave us a very good training session.
“It’s a long season with 10 months of competition, and I’m happy with where we are.”
Striker Costa missed the game against Fiorentina after failing to recover from the hamstring injury that also kept him out of the match against FA Cup champions Arsenal.
It is the same injury that limited his debut Chelsea season to 24 league games, and Mourinho admitted he is worried about the Spain international’s fitness.
“I have to be honest and say that it is a bit of a concern,” Mourinho said. “A player that didn’t finish the season and doesn’t start the season obviously doesn’t make me happy.
“It was a surprise for me he did not play on the weekend. I don’t risk my reputation again. Before the last weekend I told you he’s ready to play. He wasn’t. I don’t know. I don’t risk to say yes but I also don’t risk to say no.
“The boy is trying hard but he has a problem against Barcelona, the next day the scans show there is no injury so the next day he trains but the next day he is not comfortable and 24 hours before the game we don’t know if he plays or doesn’t play.
“It is not a good feeling for him, it is not a good feeling for me.
“You have a minimum of five title contenders and the other teams get stronger and stronger. I think nobody can complain because everyone is investing – you go to Watford, you go to Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Stoke, every club.”
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