Sunday 6 December 2015 12:38, UK
Jamie Redknapp believes Jose Mourinho had to make a statement by leaving Diego Costa on the bench again against Bournemouth after his "disrespectful" behaviour at Tottenham.
Chelsea dropped to their eighth league defeat of the season on Saturday night as Costa, who came on as a half-time substitute, was part of a Blues attack that failed to break down the Premier League's joint-worst defence.
Mourinho left the striker on the bench for the second consecutive match, and speaking before the game on Saturday Night Football, Redknapp said Costa "disrespected" the manager by throwing a bib in his direction at White Hart Lane, and had to pay the price.
"When you think of Jose Mourinho teams, you think of Didier Drogba, you think of Costa last season," Redknapp said. "If someone had said Costa would be out of the team, falling out with the manager, you would have never believed it.
"He's a volatile character, but I think the manager has almost made a statement. You cannot behave like that, I don't care who you are, it's so disrespectful to the manager and it sets the wrong example to all those players on the bench. It's disgusting behaviour.
"I'm a big fan of him as a player, but at times like this he really lets himself down. No one likes to be sub, it's not great, but you get on with it."
Glenn Murray's 82nd minute header secured Bournemouth's third win of the season, and their second clean sheet, and the result leaves Chelsea 14 points off a top four spot.
Redknapp would not be surprised if Costa returned to the team for Chelsea's Champions League match against Porto on Wednesday, and believes the Blues have struggled to cope as the issues, both on and off the field, have mounted.
"That's been the problem with Chelsea this season, it's been like a soap opera," said Redknapp, also prior to kick-off.
"Week in, week out there's been problems. Problems with the captain, problems with Costa, but you feel this statement [is one] he had to make. Quietly he will be very upset with him, but I wouldn't be surprised if he unleashes him against Porto because he is a quality player."
Defeat by the Cherries also marked the first time Chelsea have failed to score at home in the league since May 2014, and speaking after the game, Redknapp pointed to their upcoming Monday Night Football match against top of the table Leicester City as an example of just how unpredictable the league has been this season.
"It's actually hard to put your finger on it now, we've seen so many problems with Chelsea," Redknapp continued. "They looked so sharp last year, it looks to me like so many of their players are running in quicksand, that sharpness isn't there.
"Is it confidence? They've lost eight games, they are 21 points worse off than at this time last season. It's dramatic what has happened there.
"It sums up how crazy this league is, though, they are going to play Leicester next week, who are winning the league, and it should be the other way around. To get in the top four? It will take an incredible run of form."
