Manchester United forward Juan Mata has backed under-performing Chelsea striker Diego Costa to rediscover his goal scoring form again.
Mata said to the press ahead of Spain’s friendly match with England:
“Right now we’re in the same team, Spain, and we want him to score goals. He’s not in the best moment right now as he’s not scoring as many as last season but I’m sure he’ll soon start to score for Chelsea and for us as he’s not forgotten how to.”
Costa, who reportedly earns £185k-per-week at Chelsea, has struggled badly this season, failing to replicate his last season’s goal scoring form.
At this point last season, Costa had already scored 11 goals in the Premier League for Chelsea. This season, he has cut a sorrow figure and has struggled for consistency.
The 27-year-old striker has found the net twice in the league in 10 appearances, and scored once in the Champions League, taking his goal tally to four in 14 games this season in all competitions.
Vicente Del Bosque was asked to comment on Costa’s poor form for Chelsea as well. Let us take a look at what he said, courtesy The Mirror:
I think when a team isn’t playing well it’s not down to a single element and with Chelsea not playing well this season all of their elements are being affected by it.
On Costa’s character:
We all know his character and we don’t feel we pick him because we owe him anything. He was picked because we believe in him, it is a question of confidence. Maybe he should smooth out his character and his behaviour but we believe in him.
Mata has also showered heaps of praise on his club skipper Wayne Rooney, saying he is “very proud” to be playing alongside the England skipper.
“When we speak about Rooney we speak about the captain of my team and of England. He’s scored more than anyone in the England team’s history and has shown that he can play many positions.
“At the end, his managers can decided and he will continue to score goals as he has done for England and Manchester United.”
Mata has been in great form for Manchester United this season, netting six already in all competitions and further registering four assists to his name.
The Spaniard impressed his Spain team-mates when he nutmegged Raul Albiol in training on Wednesday. Ahead of the preparation for Spain’s friendly match with England on Friday, Mata produced a sublime skill, much to the delight of his Spain teammates. Watch the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=13&v=TyuOWpfFVhw
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