Diego Costa: Chelsea striker gets Spain recall

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been recalled by Spain for two friendlies, at home to England on 13 November and away to Belgium four days later.

Midfielders Andres Iniesta and Koke return after injury absences but Manchester City playmaker David Silva remains absent due to the ankle problem he sustained against Luxembourg.

Del Bosque said of Costa at a press conference: “He’s well, playing with his team as a starter, playing all the games”.

“He had a small impact on a rib, but it seems that is not of great importance and can be with us”, said the veteran coach before listing a number of strong forward options that failed to make his squad.

Del Bosque said he was not happy with Costa’s suspension in England for putting his hands in the face of another player, but said at the time that he still planned to count on the striker. They’re candidate to win Euros.

He added of the friendlies against England and Belgium: “They are two top-level teams”.

Vicente del Bosque may look like a grumpy man but we would still love to sit down and have a pint with him. “He has been playing a lot of minutes with his team”.

Although Ramos missed Spain’s last games with a shoulder problem, he has since featured in his club’s bigger games after taking a pain-killing injection, and Del Bosque said he saw no reason why the defender would not be available for both next week’s games.

We’re sure that most English fans will take his comments with a powerful pinch of salt.

“We need to recognize that these are very important games for us”, Del Bosque said of the friendlies.

“We have a list of 23 or 24 players, but nobody is outside or marginalised”, he said.