Spain boss Julen Lopetegui announced his 23-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and a number of Premier League midfielders have missed out. The upcoming international break sees La Furia Roja play two matches within three days.
The former European champions first take on Italy on 6 October at the Juventus Stadium before travelling to Albania to take on them at the Loro Borici in Shkoder. Both matches are part of their 2018 World Cup Qualifying campaign in Group G. Spain currently top the group followed by Italy and Albania respectively.
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Fabregas misses out but Isco makes the cut
One of Lopetegui’s biggest omissions is Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas. The midfielder has only started one game for the Blues under new manager Antonio Conte and has played a total of just 87 minutes in the league so far.
“He's played a little more recently, but not that much,” Lopetegui said. “I think the reason behind this decision is another one. We like him, but not all the players can be called up.”
Manchester United’s Juan Mata and Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla have also failed to make the cut. While Mata has struggled to get back into the squad, even missing out on Euro 2016, Cazorla has not been a part of the squad since a knee injury curtailed his campaign in the 2015/16 season.
However, for a player who has only played 55 minutes this season, Isco was still called up. When the manager was asked to justify his inclusion, he said: “The truth is that he has not played much. We discussed it until the last minute.
“He is not playing, but I like him and he adds to the team, so we thought we'd call him. We made the decision despite him playing little, we think he could help.”
Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas has also failed to make the lineup with Lopetegui preferring David de Gea as his no.1 choice. Casillas has hinted at retirement from international football before but he has still not officially retired.
Adrian was also another goalkeeper who missed out and Lopetegui explained that Sevilla’s Sergio Rico deserved his spot, even though he will be the third choice after De Gea and Pepe Reina.
“Adrian is not here, not because he does not deserve it, but because Sergio also does and he's playing well,” he explained. “I don't know them, but the experience with Adrian was excellent and now I want to see Rico. I don't know what may happen in the future.”
Spain’s 23-man squad
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli) and Sergio Rico (Sevilla)
Defenders: Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Nacho (Real Madrid), Sergi Roberto (Barcelona) and Javi Martínez (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Isco (Real Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid),
Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid), Diego Costa (Chelsea), Nolito (Manchester City), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid), Jose Callejon (Napoli) and Vitolo (Sevilla)
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