Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho defended Diego Costa from critics who are questioning the striker's commitment to Spain's national soccer team.

Costa along with club teammate Cesc Fabregas did not play for Spain in their recent international matches, but both were able to play for Chelsea in their 2-0 defeat to West Brom on Saturday.

Spain defender Sergio Ramos recently took a swipe at Costa and Fabregas, saying that he is hoping that both players will show equal commitment to their club and the national team.

When asked about Ramos' comment, Mourinho said that Costa took a break because of hamstring and groin issues, while Fabregas sat out because of a minor thigh tear.

"I know Sergio Ramos is a fantastic football player, but he is not a doctor," Mourinho said via ESPN FC. "He is not a doctor and I am the same. I do my job the best I can but I am not a doctor. My doctor and the doctor of the Spanish national team, they had the scans and they decided that the player was not in the condition to play."

Mourinho felt that critics have been singling Costa out, pointing out that Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany did not play for Belgium as well. Kompany then played for Manchester City against Swansea, but there has been no questions about his commitment to his national team.

"Kompany didn't play for Belgium against Wales and he played on Saturday," Mourinho said. "Has he a compromise with his national team? I think he has. He is the captain of Belgium. Did he, how do you say, 'cheat' by not playing against Wales to play today? I don't think he did. So we all accept that he was injured."

Mourinho pointed out that the decision to skip the recent international matches worked well for Costa, saying that it gave the 26-year-old striker to fully recover from his injury.

Costa, who moved from Atletico Madrid to Chelsea in the offseason, has been on a tear for the Blues this season, scoring 11 goals in 10 Barclays Premier League matches.

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