Hiddink: No stopping Costa

GUUS HIDDINK says he is struggling to keep Diego Costa on a leash, with the Chelsea striker demanding not to be dropped. Costa will start against Stoke today — his 36th appearance in all competitions this season — after Chelsea’s manager had contemplated resting him at Norwich on Tuesday. Instead he played the full 90 minutes at Carrow Road, scoring his 10th goal since Hiddink replaced Jose Mourinho in December — and it turned out to be the winner. Chelsea could still crash the Champions League party thanks to Costa, but Hiddink knows he has to try to save the striker from himself. ‘It’s difficult to put a brake on him,’ Hiddink said. ‘He’s in perfect physical shape but he must be careful not to overload. ‘He is difficult to stop. He wants to play every game. I must be careful with that but he will start against Stoke. Who am I to stop this man? I talk with him about his physical state which is superb. There is always a danger of overdoing it. We must let him go but sometimes I have to put him on a leash.’ Hiddink took over with the club just above the relegation zone, but Chelsea are fighting for European football now. They also face Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday and could still make this a successful season under their short-term manager. ‘The players responded rather well when I came,’ Hiddink said. ‘I said the question to everyone, “What was your contribution the year of the championship and in the last half year? Don’t answer me now but give me an answer in training and in games”. They responded.’