Gary Cahill: Diego Costa’s goal drought whole team’s fault

Chelsea’s vice-captain Gary Cahill has insisted that Diego Costa is not to be blamed for his poor goal-scoring record in the last three league games, as if the whole team played a little bit better, the Spaniard would as well.

Costa was the subject of a huge media scandal following a bust-up with Antonio Conte over an injury last month, but scored on his comeback to the Blues line-up against Hull City three weeks ago.

Diego Costa drew another blank against Burnley yesterday.

However, he hasn’t been able to produce a goal for the side since then – in 329 minutes of play – and many have started to question the importance of his goals in Chelsea’s title charge this season.

Yesterday Chelsea had a chance to go 12 points clear on the top of the Premier League table, but failed to clinch the victory that they so craved for at Turf Moor’s wet and cold conditions.

Costa failed to record a single shot on target in the 1-1 draw, as Burnley’s defence knew who they had to mark better than the rest, but Cahill talked after the match defending the former Atletico striker and his poor run of games.

“The lack of goals did not even cross my mind to be honest, it’s a team thing. I think we could have played a lot better than that and if we had played a lot better, then Diego gets a few more opportunities – it goes hand-in-hand.

I think we dug in when we had to. It wasn’t the prettiest, it wasn’t a nice sunny afternoon at Stamford Bridge, where we can just zip the ball about. It was tough but we dug in, got the point, we wanted three, but it wasn’t to be. But we have it in our make-up now, don’t lose.

It’s not hard if you want to achieve what we want. We have done so much hard work this season, to get us in this position, to almost to see the finish line. With 13 games now, it’s important that we chalk the games off with the right results.

It’s a time to press on, yes. The motivation to try and finish the job should be there for everyone. There is a light at the end of the tunnel now and it’s just important we keep working, keep focussed, keep doing what we have been doing for 95 per cent of the season.”

– Gary Cahill, Goal

Chelsea will return to Premier League action in two weeks’ time with a home game against Swansea City, as they’ll be visiting Wolverhampton Wanderers next Saturday for a crucial FA Cup tie.

Chelsea News