Madrid: Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata was Monday left out of Spain’s World Cup squad. Morata paid the price for a disappointing debut season in the EPL as Spain coach Julen Lopetegui picked Iago Aspas and Rodrigo Moreno up front, along with Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa.
“The decision is always difficult because of the talent of the players we have,” Lopetegui said. “We have opted for three other players who had different assets and including four players up front was not something we wanted to do.” Two more Chelsea players also missed out as Marcos Alonso and Cesc Fabregas were not included in the 23-man squad.
After scoring seven goals in his first seven games for Chelsea, a back injury seemed to affect Morata confidence. He has scored only three times in 22 games since the turn of the year. In contrast, Aspas and Moreno have been in excellent form for Celta Vigo and Valencia respectively, with Aspas the top Spanish scorer in La Liga with 22 goals.
Alonso only made his debut in a friendly against Argentina in March and lost out to Arsenal’s Nacho Monreal. Fabregas fell behind Spain’s impressive wealth of options in midfield, which will include Sergio Busquets, Saul Niguez, Koke, Thiago Alcantara, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Isco, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez.
Manchester United’s David de Gea was included as expected, along with fellow goalkeepers Pepe Reina and Kepa Arrizabalaga. Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta did make it in, as did Monreal. Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Odriozola, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Nacho and Jordi Alba complete Spain’s group of defenders.
The squad: (Goalkeepers) David de Gea, Pepe Reina, Kepa Arrizabalaga; (Defenders) Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Odriozola, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Nacho, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jordi Alba, Nacho Monreal; (Midfielders) Sergio Busquets, Saul, Koke, Thiago Alcantara, Andres Iniesta, David Silva; (Forwards) Isco, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez, Iago Aspas, Rodrigo, Diego Costa