In-form Chelsea have been handed an injury blow in their bid for the Premier League title with the news that star forward Diego Costa has withdrawn from the Spain squad through injury.
The former Atletico Madrid star will miss the games against Macedonia and England. The full nature of the injury has not yet been reported, but it is believed to be a groin injury that the striker was carrying during the 5-0 hammering of Everton last time out in the Premier League.
Spain have called up Celta Vigo star Iago Aspas as Costa’s replacement for their upcoming games. Losing Costa for any period of time would be a blow for Chelsea, as the fiery striker has been in top scoring form this season. Costa is top scorer in the Premier League this season with nine goals.
The 28-year-old has played a crucial part in the Blues recent five-game winning run in the English top-flight. Everybody connected with the south-west London club will be hoping that the injury is not too serious and that he will be fit to feature in next weekend’s Premier League game against Middlesbrough.
Chelsea’s only senior striking cover is Belgian international Michy Batshuayi, who has struggled for minutes on the pitch in the top-flight because of Costa’s strong form this season. The ex-Marseille star has made eight top-flight appearances this season, but all eight have come from the substitute’s bench.
The 23-year-old is unlikely to be match fitness considering that he has spent the majority of the campaign warming the Blues bench. He also does not possess the same attacking threat of Costa.
Chelsea have looked unstoppable in attack in recent games, with Eden Hazard and Diego Costa at their devastating best going forward. The Blues recent revival would no doubt be dented by Costa’s absence from their team.