Alvaro Morata was let alone for Spain’s 23-player squad for the World Cup on Monday. Spain mentor Julen Lopetegui chose to pick just three strikers for the competition in Russia: Diego Costa, Iago Aspas and Rodrigo.
“It’s dependably a troublesome choice,” Lopetegui said. “There wasn’t anything negative about (Morata). However, we thought there were different players in the position who could encourage us.
Morata, who battled with Chelsea this year, had not been incorporated into the squad for Spain’s latest friendlies however Lopetegui had said the player still had odds of making it to the World Cup.
Additionally left out was forward Victor “Vitolo” Machin of Atletico Madrid. Vitolo had four objectives in World Cup qualifying, while Morata had five and was among the group’s best scorers alongside Costa, Francisco “Isco” Alarcon and David Silva.
Spain will play warm-up matches against Switzerland on June 3 and Tunisia on June 9. The team’s World Cup opener will be against European champion Portugal on June 15 in Sochi. Morocco and Iran are also in Group B.
Squad
Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao)
Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Alvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad)
Midfielders: Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Jorge “Koke” Resurreccion (Atletico Madrid), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid), Francisco “Isco” Alarcon (Real Madrid)
Forwards: Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Rodrigo (Valencia), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid