FIFA World Cup 2018: Spain XI that will not be playing in Russia

Midfielders: Javi Martinez, Cesc Fabregas and Luis Alberto

Martinez has surprisingly not played for Spain since 2014

This is one area of the pitch where Spain have a plethora of options. The midfielders Lopetegui has picked for the World Cup are Andres Iniesta, Koke, Isco, Thiago Alcantara, Saul Niguez, David Silva and Sergio Busquets.

To be fair, all of the abovementioned players have earned their place in the squad not just based on their form in the recent domestic season, but also based on their performance for the national team.

The quality of Spain’s midfield is highlighted by the fact that Atletico Madrid captain, Gabi, has never been capped at the senior level and also, despite stating that, we have not been able to include him in this XI!

Javi Martinez of Bayern Munich is one of the biggest names missing in midfield. His inclusion makes more sense because of his versatility and experience at the highest level. However, believe it or not, he hasn’t played for Spain since 2014!

Martinez is a World Cup and Euro winning player although he had a squad role at both tournaments. He thrived in the defensive midfield role under Jupp Heynckes during Bayern Munich’s treble-winning season. He played predominantly as a centre-back under Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti but returned to his midfield role this season after Heynckes took over.

Fabregas was a key player for Spain when they won the World Cup in 2010

Cesc Fabregas is another World Cup and Euro winning midfielder who has been left out of the World Cup squad. Fabregas, unlike Martinez, has won the Euro in 2008 and 2012 and played a crucial role during their period of domination.

The Chelsea man, like many of his club mates, has had an on and off season despite winning the FA Cup.

Fabregas has 110 caps for Spain, which puts him eight in the all-time appearance list for Spain. Aged 31, he has more time to climb up that list, but unfortunately, he will not be doing so in Russia during the FIFA World Cup.

Alberto had the most assists in Serie A this season

Completing the midfield is a player who in stark contrast to Fabregas has only one senior cap to his name - Luis Alberto.

For many years Luis Alberto was remembered as a Liverpool flop who spent one season at the club as a peripheral figure. He moved to Lazio last season and endured a disappointing first season. However, this season, he stepped up massively and enjoyed a dream season.

He scored 11 goals and assisted 14 more in the Serie A for a Lazio team that ended the season as the top scoring side in the division! His 14 assists are the highest in the division and also the third highest in Europe’s top 5 leagues behind Kevin de Bruyne and Leroy Sane.

In all competitions, Alberto had 12 goals and 19 assists to his name which is a spectacular return for a midfielder.