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| Diego Costa has been recalled to the Spain squad after being dropped for the October internationals |
DIEGO COSTA has been ordered by national team manager Vicente Del Bosque to “smooth out” his disciplinary problems after meeting up with him for the first time since his ban following his clash with Arsenal's Gabriel.
The Spain boss dropped Costa for the double-header in October in the immediate aftermath of events at Stamford Bridge but has been welcomed back to the team for tonight’s friendly in Alicante against England.
But he has been instructed to curb his excessive behaviour without losing his fighting spirit.
“We all know Costa’s character anyway,” Del Bosque said. “Maybe he should smooth out his character a little bit and change some aspects of his behaviour, but we don’t want to change him. We knew what Diego Costa was like when we brought him over and we believe in him.”
The 27-year-old has scored just three times in 17 appearances for club and country this season – a far cry from his explosive first season in the Premier League.
But Del Bosque insists he has been returned to the Spain squad on merit rather than sentiment.
“I wouldn’t say he’s obliged to come here or we’re obliged to pick him,” he said. “We bring him over as he’s a very useful player for us. We don’t bring him here because we owe him or because of a previous agreement. It’s a question of confidence.”
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