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While it made sense for Diego Costa to finally get a rest this weekend, after 13 straight starts and with crucial games coming up this week in the Champions League and the FA Cup, his absence from the starting lineup and even the substitutes bench was surprising. Guus Hiddink, after all, was very clear that Costa wanted to play and all but wrote him into the starting lineup already for Saturday's game against Stoke City. So what happened?
Guus Hiddink reports Diego Costa is missing today due to a minor tendon injury. #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 5, 2016
A conveniently timed injury? Another concerning turn of events? The proverbial leash to force Diego to take the day off? Mind games out of PSG manager Laurent Blanc's books?
Am told the resting of Diego Costa is due to a tendon injury. More precautionary, ahead of PSG, than a major issue.
— Dan Levene (@danlevene) March 5, 2016
After the match, manager Guus Hiddink wasn't concerned. Just a precaution.
Hiddink on Costa: "I think he will be OK on Wednesday." Says he was left out today as a precaution, due to a tight tendon.
— Dan Levene (@danlevene) March 5, 2016
So that's good news. Unfortunately, things are looking less positive for John Terry, whose hamstring injury is expected to continue keeping him sidelined.
"John Terry, I don't think he will be ready to be play, but the rest are fit to play I think."
-Guus Hiddink; source: Sky via Goal
Prior to the match, the story was that Terry would undergo some sort of fitness test to determine his availability for PSG. Now, it sounds like Hiddink is far less optimistic. Hopefully our defense manages to cope with Zlatan Ibrahimovic better than with Mame Biram Diouf, who should've hat a hat-trick on Saturday. Hush, let me hope.