Vicente del Bosque has reflected on why Diego Costa is being considered for Spain, but says he is not guaranteed a place at the World Cup.
La Roja are seen as prepared to call up the in-form Atletico Madrid man for this month’s World Cup qualifiers at home to Belarus and Georgia.
This is after the Spanish Football Federation requested in writing confirmation from FIFA that they can select the 24-year-old Brazilian-born striker, in spite of his having appeared for his native country twice earlier this year.
For Spain’s head Coach, if clearance comes through, he will be treating the player no differently to anyone else up for consideration.
“To consider Diego Costa is a sporting decision. It has still not been confirmed that we can call him,” reflected Del Bosque on Cuatro programme Tiki-Taka this week.
“The requirements are there – he is nationalised, since the age of 18 he has spent five years in Spain, i.e. he has formed here, he has not played official games with Brazil…
“For what has happened, no-one has spoken with him. If we call him up, we are not obliged to then bring him to the World Cup. We must have security, he is still inexperienced.
“I have to say that there have been many foreign players to have been called up by the national team. Senna, Donato…many, many.
“It is an occurrence that we are already used to. There are some who see this as an attack. This player has formed here from the age of 18.
“He is playing well and is one of the architects of Atletico Madrid’s great moment. He is a different player.
“I have seen that he is also not used only as a centre-forward, one week he played out on the wing…at Atletico he has played in various positions and almost never as a centre-forward.”
Costa notably has an aggressive temperament on the football field.
“I like the good ones and if they have the energy. What has happened on the pitch to him can happen to anyone. I do not know him, but I have the impression that he is a noble guy.
“Another thing is what is out there on the pitch, but I am sure that he is a good boy. That’s no problem.
“He has a great spirit and a great motivation and whilst we are seasoned people, through our successes that can fall by the wayside.
“Gradually we will need new people, people who will revive us, new blood.”
