EPL 2016/17: Chelsea stars Diego Costa and Eden Hazard injured on international duty
Chelsea may be rocking in the Premier League but injury concerns over Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are sure to affect the mood at Stamford Bridge. The duo, currently on international duty with their respective national teams, Spain and Belgium, have reportedly been injured.
Reports in the British newspaper, Metro, have revealed that Diego Costa’s involvement in the upcoming games against Lithuania and England are in doubt having arrived at Spain’s training camp with a groin injury.
Chelsea attacker, Eden Hazard, according to the same paper, limped away after the draw against Netherlands, which is a cause for concern. The Belgian was subjected to a strong challenge and was forced off towards the end of the game.
Dazzling form
The duo has been in sparkling form this season and has become an integral to the team’s success. Against, Everton at the weekend both of them were on the score-sheet in a 5-0 humbling by Chelsea. Hazard managed a brace while Costa helped himself to his 9th goal in 13 appearances so far this term.
Costa’s injury woes have been a constant cause of concern for Spanish boss, Julen Lopetegui, as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for the 2018 World Cup. However, the naturalised Spaniard’s groyne injuries have been well documented and instead of sending the forward back to London, Lopetegui has decided that the forward can continue his recovery at Spain’s training base.
Also read: Alvaro Morata says he gets along with Diego Costa better than Karim Benzema
The Belgian, Hazard, on the other hand, was handed the armband in the match against Netherlands. The 25-year-old was handed the armband in place of Vincent Kompany and was a constant source of inspiration for his team-mates on the night.
The match also saw the younger Hazard (Thorgan Hazard) in action. For the first time, both brothers played alongside each other. At the end of the game, the Chelsea winger was seen grimacing with pain as he picked himself up from a challenge which had sent him tumbling over.
Belgium next faces Estonia and it will be interesting to note whether, Roberto Martinez, takes a punt on his star asset or if he decides to keep the forward under wraps.
Carrasco scored for the visitors, as Belgium played out a 1-1 draw in Amsterdam. Martinez was pleased with his team’s efforts as his side grabbed an equaliser in the dying stages of the game.
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