Diego Costa

Diego Costa replaced on Spain roster, faces fitness concern with Chelsea

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:33 p.m. ET

Alex Dowd

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been replaced in Spain's squad for the current international break due to injury. The striker will miss Spain's upcoming friendlies against Macedonia and England, but the bigger concern is for the Blues.

Details on the injury are murky, but it's suspected that Costa is suffering from a groin or thigh injury and will return to Chelsea's training facilities for evaluation. Costa has been integral to Chelsea's recent dominant form in the Premier League, where the Blues have won five consecutive matches.

During that stretch, Chelsea have slotted home 16 goals while conceding none. Now, the Premier League title hopefuls could be without league's current leading scorer if the injury forces Costa to miss time with the club. The good news for Chelsea is their next match is on Nov. 20, so Costa will have ample time to rest the injury. They'll also square off against Middlesbrough, who currently sit 15th in the EPL table.

Following that match, Chelsea host Spurs in a crucial London Derby. The injury would have to be quite significant to Costa to miss that match, but, given his shaky injury history, it's certainly worth keeping an eye on.

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Diego Costa

English Premier League