Del Bosque hails Costa’s desire to win

Vicente del Bosque has paid tribute to Diego Costa’s recent goalscoring form for Chelsea, insisting the Blues frontman is increasing his chances of playing a key role for Spain at Euro 2016.

The Brazilian-born forward has yet to win over Spanish supporters, scoring just once in 10 appearances for La Roja.

Costa was part of the Spanish side that failed miserably at the World Cup in Brazil but Del Bosque has offered encouragement that the former Atletico Madrid man will have a role to play in France this summer.

“I think that sometimes he doesn’t sit well with people. He makes people dislike him. I don’t want to think much about why,” Del Bosque told Marca.

“The reality is that he is a player who gives everything. He gives his all, he makes the effort, he leaves it all on the field. He is a fighter.”

Spain go into Euro 2016 seeking to win a third successive European Championship crown.

Del Bosque, who is expected to step aside when the tournament ends, says he has a headache when it comes to deciding who will play centre-forward.

Juventus striker Alvaro Morata, Valencia’s Paco Alcacer and Athletic Bilbao’s Aritz Aduriz are all seemingly vying with Costa for the role.

“One of the toughest decisions to make is that of the forward,” Del Bosque said.

“Morata has been almost without playing time. Alcacer the same. We thought that they were our future. Not that we have changed our minds, but they now have competition in Aduriz and Diego.”

Spain have been drawn to face Croatia, Czech Republic and Turkey in Group D at Euro 2016 and are 6.00 to win the tournament.