Wayne Rooney has revealed he voted for Diego Costa as the PFA Premier League Player of the Year last season.
Costa scored 20 league goals in his first season in England's top flight and helped Chelsea clinch their first league title in five years.
Costa is set to lead the line for Spain in their friendly against England on Friday.
Rooney said: "I actually voted for him as player of the year last season because I think he was a huge player for Chelsea."
"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."
Source: tribalfootball.com