Who would have thought a season of playing like a drain could have repercussions?
Surely Diego Costa looked at his Chelsea disappearing double act Eden Hazard being named Belgium captain and reckoned his Euro 2016 hopes had not been exterminated by a shocking season of underperformance.
Despite having a nightmarish World Cup campaign in Brazil a couple of summers ago, Spain will be one of the favourites to win their third successive European crown in France this summer.
As has been the case in recent years, the Spanish are spoiled for choice. But Costa, who has had a hamstring problem in recent weeks, has been left out of the squad.
Manchester United’s Juan Mata and Atletico Madrid’s Fernando Torres also miss out on the squad (featured below) but its the omission of the Chelsea star that will cause the most surprise.
OFICIAL | Lista provisional de 25 jugadores para la #EURO2016 / Provisional 25-man call up for the #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/wyMJ77Fyhe
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) May 17, 2016
Costa hasn’t hit the same heights in Chelsea blue this term that he did in his first year in the Premier League and has seemed more interested in being a grumpy sod at times than actually trying to score goals.
It’s unclear at this point if the decision to leave him out is down to his lack of form or injury. Knowing what the man’s like if it’s the latter, we’re sure he’ll take it really well and be thoroughly understanding about it.
