Diego Costa: I decide if I'm fit to play for Spain, not Mourinho

Posted Tuesday, October 07, 2014 by Goal.com

The forward joins up with Vicente Del Bosque's side with a long-term hamstring issue but insists he will be the one who has the final say on his fitness

Diego Costa insists he decides when he is fit to play, not Jose Mourinho, and the striker says the Chelsea manager did not urge him to snub his call-up to the Spain squad.

The former Atletico Madrid forward, who has scored nine goals in seven Premier League appearances this term, has struggled with a hamstring problem since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

Costa has been named in Spain's squad ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifiers with Slovakia and Luxembourg, and while Mourinho believes the 25-year-old should be rested by Vicente Del Bosque, the striker maintains he will be the one who has the final say on his fitness.

"I don't want to be in the middle [of Spain and Chelsea]," he told Marca. "Mourinho has not told me anything.

"One has to take into account that many times I am the one that makes the decision depending on how I feel. Here I have the confidence of the coach, the technical team, and if there is a problem I tell them.

"If I'm here and I'm injured then I don't play because it would be worse."

And while Costa admits he is not prepared to aggravate his injury, the forward insists he is keen to play a part in Spain's upcoming matches.

"I'm here ready to play. I've had some problems but it's getting better," said Costa.

"I've already played three games in a week and the coach [Del Bosque] knows that I carry some problems, but I will treat them during the week."