Chelsea stars on shortlist for top award

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Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois have been included in the 23-man shortlist for the Fifa 2014 world footballer of the year award.

Only five Premier League players have been named on the list, with Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria and Manchester City’s Yaya Tore joining the Blues trio.

Chelsea boss Mourinho is one of 10 managers on the 10-man list for the coach award.

Costa, who has scored nine times for Chelsea already, and goalkeeper Courtois were both key members of the Atletico Madrid side that won the Spanish league and reached the Champions League final.

Hazard enjoyed a fine season at Stamford Bridge, earning praise for his consistency and quality as Chelsea narrowly missed out on the league title and lost to Atletico in the Champions League semi-finals.

Real Madrid duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi are also included, but there is no place for former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

The shortlist will be reduced to three in December, with the winners announced on 12 January in Zurich.

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