Chelsea's Diego Costa named in Spain squad

  • Published
Diego Costa, Cesar Azpilicueta and Cesc FabregasImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Chelsea trio Diego Costa, Cesar Azpilicueta and Cesc Fabregas (all pictured) have all been selected for the Spain squad

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been named in the Spain squad despite Blues boss Jose Mourinho saying he hoped the striker would not be called up.

Mourinho says Costa is barely training because of hamstring problems, despite scoring eight goals following his summer switch from Atletico Madrid.

But he has been named in Vicente Del Bosque's squad for Euro 2016 qualifiers with Slovakia and Luxembourg.

Del Bosque says Spain will not risk Costa if he is not fit.

He said: "When we call up someone it's because we believe he's fit to play.

"He's been playing in all the [Chelsea] games and if he comes and isn't in condition to play, we won't force him.

"We always take into account the physical state of the players. We've never obliged anybody to play. The medical team will decide on these things."

Media caption,

Jose Mourinho will take 'risk' on Costa

Brazil-born Costa, who has won five caps for Spain, struggled with hamstring problems towards the end of last season and came off early on in both the Spanish title decider and Champions League final.

He then had a disappointing World Cup as his adopted country went out in the group stages.

Last week, Mourinho said: "If he doesn't go to the national team and if he stays here for 15 days just on treatment, he has the perfect chance to be top for Chelsea and top for the national team.

"If he doesn't have this period, it will be always, plays one game, the other is in trouble, the muscle is tight, the muscle is in danger of rupture."

Casillas (Real Madrid), De Gea (Manchester United), Casilla (Espanyol); Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Ramos, Carvajal (both Real Madrid), Bernat (Bayern Munich), Alba (Barcelona), Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Albiol (Napoli), Pique (Barcelona); Silva (Manchester City), Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro (all Barcelona), Fabregas (Chelsea), Cazorla (Arsenal), Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), Koke, Raul Garcia (both Atletico Madrid); Rodrigo, Alcacer (both Valencia), Costa (Chelsea).

Around the BBC

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.