CURRENT WORLD CHAMPIONS Spain announced their provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil this afternoon.
La Roja, who face the Netherlands, Chile and Australia in Group B, possess a ridiculous array of talent throughout the squad with English-based players David de Gea, David Silva, Santi Cazorla, Juan Mata, Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas all included in the extended panel.
Brazilian-born Diego Costa is in line to make his competitive debut in the country of his birth after being included alongside Atletico Madrid team-mates Juanfran, Koke and David Villa.
Manager Vicente del Bosque will announce his final squad of 23 players to defend the trophy they won for the first time four years ago on May 25, a day after Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have disputed the Champions League final in Lisbon.
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli/ITA), David de Gea (Manchester United/ENG)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos (both Real Madrid), Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba (both Barcelona), Cesar Azplicueta (Chelsea/ENG), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich/GER), Raul Albiol (Napoli/ITA), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas (all Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal/ENG), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Tiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich/GER), Juan Mata (Manchester United/ENG)
Forwards: Diego Costa, David Villa (both Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas (both Manchester City), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Juventus/ITA), Fernando Torres (Chelsea/ENG)
Additional reporting by AFP
Roddy Collins would win the World Cup with that squad…..
All he’d have to do is add Roddy jr and it would be the dream team
Scary to think 7 of these wont be going.
God, just reading this list is scary. What a team.
Mata yes, but Torres?
Controversial but Torres has yet to let Spain down. Two man of the match performances in European Championship finals and a world cup to boot.
Long time ago
He wasnt exactly in rude form ahead of 2012 either.
In fact when Germany went to South Africa they brought Klose and Podolski with them and they had 3 league goals between them.
Germany went on to be the highest scoring team in the tournament and Klose missed out on breaking an all time record over a cold.
Some National teams have their men and they trust them regardless of form.
Pssh. That squads no match for the likes of McShane or McGeady.
Paul Green.
As a Chelsea fan I’m delighted for mata, great player and only for the move he would not have been in
As a hated Chelsea fan I hope Fernando has a great World Cup, god knows he’s been putting in the effort.
Yes, I also put in a good effort at the weekly 5-a-side, can I play for Spain as well?
It’s a pity but it might be something to do with you not being selected – have a go anyway.
How did torres got in is beyond me
Is he relayed to the wine makers, they are like royalty in Spain , it the only way I can figure him being brought .
He ended up top scorer at the confed cup last year. Its not like Villa or Llorente are that great either.
Nice squad
Spare a thought for Diego Lopez, playing 18 months straight in the league for Real Madrid and not making the plane.
These lads even have class goalkeepers!
There’s gonna be a lot of pressure on Brazil particularly if they have a bad start, Spain will be confident
Brazil, Argentina & Uruguay will take beating.
Torres the Paul Green of the Squad
There are no weak links in that squad
I think they will walk it ….can’t see anyone stopping them
Winning 4 major tournaments in a row would make them the best ever in my opinion.Can’t see it happening though.
I’d predict the 7 cut to be Juanfran, Moreno, Iturraspe, Mata, Cazorla, Llorente, Torres
Not sure it matas too much for spain to leave out isco