Spain national team manager Julen Lopetegui has announced the 25-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Macedonia and the international friendly against England. Juan Mata, Aritz Aduriz, Cesar Azpilicueta, Sergio Asenjo and Marc Bartra all return to the squad having been ignored for the last set of international fixtures, while Ander Herrera who was in the squad for the fixtures against Italy and Albania could make his national team debut.
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Sergio Escudero has earned his maiden international call-up for La Roja, on the back of an impressive start to the season for Sevilla. Lopetegui’s squad is missing several key players who are out due to various injuries, this includes Andres Iniesta, Javi Martinez, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba.
Spain host Macedonia at the Estadio Los Carmenes on 13th November in a Group G World Cup qualifier while they will take on England at the Wembley Stadium on 16th November.
Also Read: Germany announce 25-man squad for San Marino and Italy matches
The English Premier League has significant representation in the national squad with 8 players from English clubs featuring. However, Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has again been snubbed by Lopetegui. However, the 50-year-old dismissed suggestions of a national team return for Spain’s record goalscorer – David Villa, who currently plays for New York City FC in the MLS.
Speaking in his press conference, Lopetegui said: “The 25-man list is to cover all possible absentees we could have. We’ve total confidence in the players we’ve chosen.
“We have no problem bringing in older players. In the case of David Villa, he is playing in another league and is at a good level. He is being competitive and scoring but we’ve understood the strikers we had to bring in were those we have.”
Here is the complete 25-man squad of Spain:
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), and Sergio Asenjo (Villarreal)
Defenders: Nacho (Real Madrid), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Sergi Roberto (Barcelona), Marc Batra (Dortmund), Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Sergio Escudero (Sevilla)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Isco (Real Madrid), Ander Herrera (Man Utd), Juan Mata (Man Utd)
Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid), Nolito (Manchester City), Jose Callejon (Napoli), Diego Costa (Chelsea), Vitolo (Sevilla) and Aritz Aduriz (Athletic)
Spain are unbeaten under Lopetegui having won three and drawn one out of the 4 games he has been in-charge since taking over from Vicente del Bosque after Euro 2016.
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