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LONDON. – Chelsea striker Diego Costa will miss his side’s top-of-the-table English Premier League clash against Manchester City today after losing his appeal against a charge of violent conduct, the English Football Association said yesterday.

The Brazilian-born Spain striker has been banned for three matches after treading down on Liverpool’s Emre Can in the first half of the League Cup semi-final, second leg at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Chelsea, who are five points clear at the top of the table, will be without Costa for tonight’s clash against Manchester City as well as games at Aston Villa and home to Everton.

Costa, who signed from Atletico Madrid last year, has scored 17 league goals for Chelsea with his combative approach ideally suited to the high tempo of English football.

But the 26-year-old’s physicality has ruffled a few feathers and he is not one to back down from confrontation with opponents.

After Chelsea booked their place in the League Cup final thanks to a 2-1 aggregate victory over Liverpool, boss Jose Mourinho was adamant that Costa’s reputation was being tarnished by TV pundits.

“I don’t know what you understand by stamp. I think you are already influenced by — there is a campaign by a certain pundit that talks about Diego Costa’s crimes,” Mourinho told reporters.

“What (broadcaster) Sky calls crime, it’s absolutely accidental.

“When you are there and you are paid and you are very well paid – these guys they have a very good seat, they are always right and they always win but they should be honest.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea have agreed a transfer deal for Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado that could see him play today against Manchester City, Sky sources say.

It is understood the contracts are being drafted between Chelsea and Serie A club Fiorentina for the Colombia international.

The fee is £23.33m plus a bonus that amounts to Cuadrado’s £26.34m release clause and in return, Fiorentina are very interested in taking Mohamed Salah on an 18-month long free loan.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is keen to have Cuadrado on board for today’s top-of-the-table mach against City at Stamford Bridge.

Cuadrado is seen by Chelsea as a replacement for forward Andre Schurrle, who has been linked with a move back to Germany and has agreed personal terms with Wolfsburg.

The fee for the World Cup winner, which is expected to be more than £20m, would cover what Chelsea are spending on Cuadrado, who has scored 20 goals in 85 games since arriving in Florence from Udinese. – AFP.