Spain have announced their 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup with coach Julen Lopetegui choosing to omit Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata from his final selection
Premier League stars David De Gea, David Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and Nacho Monreal are all included along with Barcelona’s outgoing midfielder Andres Iniesta.
Stalwarts Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets make the cut while Diego Costa continues his comeback by sealing a spot on the plane.
But there is no room for Morata after an underwhelming season for the 25-year-old at Stamford Bridge since joining from Real Madrid in the summer.
Ex-Liverpool flop Iago Aspas and Valencia’s Rodrigo Moreno are selected as Spain’s strikers ahead of Morata and will provide competition for Diego Costa.
Other notable absentees include Morata’s Chelsea team-mate Marcos Alonso, Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin and Atletico Madrid midfielder Vitolo.
Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas is left out as expected having not featured for his country over the past 12 months.
Elsewhere Real Madrid defenders Dani Carjaval and Nacho join their club team-mates Marco Asensio, Isco and Lucas Vazquez in making Lopetegui’s 23-man squad.
In total the two-time Champions League holders have six Spanish players in the selection while their rivals and La Liga champions Barcelona have four.
Atletico duo Saul Niguez and Koke are selected and Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara is the only non-Spanish based player from outside the Premier League. Pepe Reina and Kepa Arrizabalaga are the goalkeepers deputising for De Gea.
Real Sociedad right back Alvaro Odriozola, who has been named ahead of Alonso and Bellerin, rounds off the 23-man selection for Spain.
Lopetegui, speaking at the squad announcement in Madrid, expressed his regret for excluding some of the players who helped him out in qualifying such as Morata.
23-MAN SPAIN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga, David De Gea, Pepe Reina
Defenders: Dani Carjaval, Alvaro Odriozola, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Nacho, Nacho Monreal, Cesar Azpilicueta
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Saul Niguez, Koke, Thiago Alcantara, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Isco, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez
Forwards: Iago Aspas, Rodrigo Moreno, Diego Costa
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