Diego Costa is not the most popular player outside of Chelsea, but Wayne Rooney is a big fan of the controversial Blues and Spain striker. Costa has earned a reputation as something of a wind-up merchant due to his attempts to get under defenders' skin.Arsenal defender Gabriel was sent off earlier this season for clashing with the 27-year-old and he tried to provoke Ryan Shawcross during Chelsea's defeat to Stoke last weekend by grabbing the centre-back's jaw before telling him rather impolitely that he had bad body odour.
Rooney admits there is something to admire about the Brazil-born forward's antics, however.Ahead of England's game against Spain in Alicante, Rooney revealed he thought Costa was the best player in the Premier League last season.
"I actually voted for him as player of the year last season because I think he was a huge player for Chelsea," the England captain said of Costa, who scored 20 goals in his maiden season for the Blues.
"I think what Chelsea missed the season before was that fight up front and he gave them that and I strongly believe that's why they became champions.
"Obviously it hasn't gone as well as it did last season for him but I think he is a fantastic player.
"He's a fighter and I think that's part of his game and it's going to be very difficult for anyone to ask him not to do that.
"I feel that's in him - that fight. He thrives on that and that gets his team-mates going as well."
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