Galaxy

7 Nov 2014

Jose Mourinho delighted with Spain omitting Diego Costa from their next squad

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Diego Costa will start against Liverpool, as he thanked the Spanish federation for leaving the striker out of their next squad but insisted he did not ask for it.
Costa's fitness has provoked more discussion than any other issue at Chelsea this season, with Mourinho effectively making public pleas to Spain coach Vicente del Bosque that he allow the striker some rest but stating that he could not directly ask for it.
The Chelsea boss got his wish as Spain left the forward out of the squad to face Belarus in the Euro 2016 qualifiers and Germany in a friendly.
"I'm pleased, but I want to make it clear I did nothing to make it happen," Mourinho said. "He was protected in the Champions League match [away to Maribor] but, because the result was not good, I had to play him for 45 minutes.
"As a consequence of the work we're doing with him, we think he's ready to start tomorrow [against Liverpool] but obviously not to go with the national team. He'll have 15 days finally to rest and work properly, and that's fantastic news for us.
"Obviously, I give thanks for the decision made by the Spanish Football Federation, but I want to make it clear I did nothing to make it happen.
"He is fit to play, yes. Hopefully everything goes well, but yes he starts the game."
Mourinho also outlined Costa's programme for the next 15 days -- a period the manager says the player has needed since arriving at Chelsea to finally solve an ongoing hamstring problem.
"Immediately after the match, he'll have a period of complete rest, no training or treatment, not even another [massage] on his muscle," he said. "Just rest a few days. After that, to continue the specific work he's been doing without having a match to play even the next weekend.
"It's very good news for him and for us, and also for the national team. Normally now he has to go in the right direction. It's good for the Spanish federation to have a 'good' Diego, rather than a 'so-so' Diego."

Cristiano Ronaldo has displaced Lionel Messi to world best- Wayne Rooney


Wayne Rooney believes Cristiano Ronaldo has displaced Lionel Messi to become the finest footballer in the world and backed his former Manchester United teammate to retain the Ballon d'Or.
Ronaldo, who is Portugal's 51-goal record scorer, has struck 274 goals in 262 games for Real Madrid since joining them from United for a then world record fee of 80 million pounds in 2009.
Current Ballon d'Or holder Ronaldo heads a 23-man shortlist for this year's award and has scored 22 goals in 16 games so far this season.
Asked by MUTV if he expected Ronaldo to retain the award, Rooney replied: "I think so. I'm sure it'll be difficult to give it to anyone else."
Rooney said: "He's had an incredible two or three years and I think he has certainly overtaken Lionel Messi now as the best player in the world."

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