Chelsea striker Diego Costa has hit back at criticism of manager Jose Mourinho following the Blues' poor start to the new term and admitted he returned "overweight" for pre-season training.
The defending Premier League champions have won only twice in eight matches in 2015-16 and currently lie 16th in the English top flight, which has led to Mourinho's methods being questioned, per Tony Banks in the Express.
However, Costa believes Mourinho is being unfairly blamed for Chelsea's woes and suggested the Portuguese manager's directness invites unfounded criticism, per Darren Lewis in the Mirror:
When things don’t go the way that everyone expects, people—the supporters as well—always look for someone to blame.