Such is the abundance of talent available to Julen Lopetegui, that the Spanish boss has been able to omit a number of high profile players from his squad for this summer’s tournament in Russia.
High profile players left out the squad
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Premier League fans will be interested to hear that a number of players that ply their trade in the English top-flight will not be with La Roja this summer. Chelsea quarter Marcos Alonso, Pedro, Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata have all missed out on the 23-man squad.
Manchester United counterparts Ander Herrera and Juan Mata join the Blues players in being snubbed by the Spanish boss, while unsurprisingly Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin will miss out too. Barcelona’s highly-rated utility man Sergi Roberto will fell hard done by not to be on the plane, though.
Big decisions in attack
In terms of quality, Lopetegui is spoilt for choice, just like his France, Brazil and German counterparts. He can only name 23 players in his squad, while are likely to be players who have missed out that the Spanish boss will have wanted to take, but just could not fit into the squad. The Spanish bosses’ attacking selections are interesting.
The exclusion of Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata was particularly noticeable, as the Chelsea striker had been La Roja’s first choice forward at Euro 2016. Morata has endured a difficult for first season in English football, scoring just 11 Premier League goals after a big money summer move from Real Madrid.
Spain does not have a great deal of choice in the central striking department. Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa is back in the squad but has struggled for form with La Roja. The home-based players like Iago Aspas and Rodrigo have both been in good form this season for Celta Vigo and Valencia, scoring 22 and 16 respectively in La Liga. However, both have question marks over their quality at international level.
One of the favourites to win the World Cup
The sheer quality in La Roja’s squad makes Spain one of the favourites to win the World Cup. In the last decade or so, they have been there or thereabouts when it comes to challenging for the big titles.
La Roja seems strong in every area of the pitch, so they should definitely go far in the competition. Lopetegui’s side kick-off their World Cup campaign with a tough game against neighbours and European champions Portugal on 15th May. On paper, it is the Spaniards tough game of the group, with Iran and Morocco the other two teams in Group B.
Whatever squad the Julen Lopetegui picked, Spain were always going to one of the teams to watch. The players in La Roja’s squad have the potential to go all the way. Only time will tell if they will become world champions for the second time.
Spain squad for 2018 World Cup:
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Atletico Bilbao)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) , Alvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Nacho (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Saul (Atletico Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City)
Forwards: Isco (Real Madrid), Sergio Asensio (Real Madrid), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Rodrigo (Valancia), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)
Has Julen Lopetegui chosen the correct squad for the World Cup?