Alvaro Morata misses out from Spain’s World cup squad. The 25-year-old scored 11 goals in his debut season at Stamford Bridge and was a last-minute substitute in Saturday’s FA Cup final win. Julen Lopetegui has named four Premier League players in his squad, with David de Gea, David Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and Nacho Monreal all included.
Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has not made Spain’s 23-man World Cup squad. “Including four players up front was not something we wanted to do,” said manager Lopetegui.
“We have opted for three other players who had different assets.” Spain begins their campaign against Portugal on 15 June in Sochi.
Former Real Madrid striker Morata last played for the 2010 world champions in November 2017 when he scored once in a 5-0 win over Costa Rica. Despite his omission from the squad, the striker went on Twitter to wish his countrymen “lots of luck” in the tournament.
Morata’s Blues team-mates Marcos Alonso and Cesc Fabregas join Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin in also missing out on selection. There is room, however, for Morata’s predecessor at Chelsea, with Diego Costa named among the strikers travelling to Russia.
Real Madrid and Barcelona supply 10 players between them, with veteran Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta, included following his final appearance for the Catalan giants on Sunday.
James Horncastle: “While Morata was Lopetegui’s guy at under-21 level, you can’t begrudge the manager overlooking him when he hasn’t really played or lived up to expectations. Iago Aspas and Rodrigo have had good seasons. You get the impression Morata doesn’t feel hard done by from his tweet.”
Julien Laurens: “When you look at Spain’s World Cup squad, there was no way Cesc Fabregas deserved to be there. He’s not as good as the other players in his position.”
Spain squad:
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao).
Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Alvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea).
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Isco (Real Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid).
Forwards: Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid).
Source: BBC News
