Spain boss: No World Cup for Costa if…
Chelsea outcast Diego Costa has been warned his World Cup hopes could be dashed if he does not sort out his club problems.
A move to Atletico Madrid was on the cards but the Spanish club received a transfer ban and a deal could not be made. It leaves the Chelsea star in limbo and he is currently refusing to train and staying in his Brazilian hometown Lagarto.
And now his international career is hanging by a thread, too, after he was dropped for Spain’s qualifiers against Italy and Liechtenstein.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, national coach Julen Lopetegui is worried about Costa’s situation and said he must start playing or he won’t be selected for next summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Despite being dropped from Chelsea’s Champions League squad, he was included in the club’s Premier League squad list.
A return to first-team action seems unlikely anytime soon, but peace talks have been planned and the door is not slammed completely shut.
The relationship between club and player is at an all-time low with Chelsea considering legal action after ordering the 28-year-old to return to the club, get fit and make himself available of selection. Costa was considering legal action too but his lawyers have said there are no grounds to sue.
