2010 WORLD CUP winners Spain have named their 23-man squad for this year’s tournament in Russia.
Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata is perhaps the biggest name to miss out on selection and he will watch this summer’s events from home alongside club-mate Cesc Fabregas.
Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta does get the nod, however, and he’s named alongside the likes of Marco Asensio, Lucas Vázquez and Sergio Busquets in midfield.
Sergio Ramos will captain the side from defence while the Iago Aspas, Rodrigo Moreno and Diego Costa are the only out-and-out strikers named.
Julen Lopetegui’s squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga, David De Gea, Pepe Reina
Defenders: Dani Carjaval, Cesar Azpilicueta, Alvaro Odriozola, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Nacho, Nacho Monreal
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Saul Niguez, Koke, Thiago Alcantara, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Isco, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez
Forwards: Iago Aspas, Rodrigo Moreno, Diego Costa.
🚨 OFICIAL | 46 millones de ilusiones en sus botas, en sus manos... ¡¡ESTOS SON #NUESTROS23!!
— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SeFutbol) May 21, 2018
🔁 ¡RT PARA APOYARNOS! pic.twitter.com/XBx0e4uOcB
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Comments on Spanish radio are focussing on the choice of Monreal over Marcos Alonso and the absence of Morata ( which was quite expected ) .. there’s not much else being commented , maybe the absence of Marc Bartra at the back that’s about it .
@Limón Madrugada: by Spanish standards, an average enough team. Weak at Centre half as pique is shocking.
@Paul Mallon: well ever since Puyol retired the defense has been weaker but it’s still handy enough . Carvajal is as good a right back as they’ve had ever , Nacho is very reliable and plays across the defence , Azpilicueta can do similarly . Haven’t seen Monreal play in ages myself . It the midfield of course that is so overloaded .
@Limón Madrugada: agreed plenty of options in midfield, azilipucueta hasn’t been picked though which is strange. Also they don’t have huge goals in the forwards, costa has his attributes but not exactly prolific. Can’t see Spain winning it.
@Paul Mallon: azpilicueta has been picked .
@Limón Madrugada: surprised he only took 3 forwards, Puyol was always gonna be irreplaceable, in saying that it’s a handy enough defense although Monreal??? Surely there is a better left back in Spain. My “Dark Horses” this year. They could go under the radar.
Not entirely confident in the defence but I think 6/1 is a huge price on them to win it
@Brian Connolly:
Carvajal, pique, Ramos and alba.
Seriously?
@Shane Russell: Ramos is always capable of doing something daft and pique isn’t the player he was in 2010, also never been a huge fan of alba defensively and azpilicueta is surely a better defender than carvajal
@Brian Connolly: plus they don’t speak to one another
Where is Marcos Alonso?
@Conor Houlihan: in fairness he has 1 cap for Spain that he won in a friendly only a few months ago. Only played 11 mins or so after coming on as a sub. Looking at that it’s hardly a surprise that he wasn’t picked.
Ridiculous midfield as usual
Id like some Nachos now
No azpilucueta… strange cos he can play both full back positions and a central defender if ur playing a back three.. class defender too of course
@mossy lyons: Dave is there, 42 just forgot to put him in. Check the official tweet with the picture and you’ll find him.
@mossy lyons: Azpilucueta is in the squad.
The Journal just left them out of Spain’s 22 man squad.
Weak squad