Julen Lopetegui: 'Chelsea did not force Diego Costa withdrawal'

Spain manager Julen Lopetegui has insisted that Chelsea did not play any part in Diego Costa's withdrawal from the squad through injury.

The in-form 28-year-old pulled out of the matches against Macedonia and England on Thursday after sustaining muscle injuries during Chelsea's 5-0 victory over Everton last weekend.

Reports had suggested that Chelsea wrote a letter of warning to Spain over Costa's fitness, but Lopetegui insists that it was Spain who made the decision to send him home.

"No, no, not at all, the clubs do not pressure, we make the decision. We always give priority to our conversation with the player," Lopetegui told Cadena Ser.

"The clubs, in this case Chelsea, inform us of a situation but then logically we are the ones who monitor the evolution.

"After the game [with Everton, Chelsea doctors] told us about the problem. At first it seemed a minor issue but there are times that muscular injuries don't have a good evolution, as has been the case."

Former Liverpool striker Iago Aspas replaced Costa in the squad.