Confirmed Spain Squad: Man Utd’s £55m Duo & Chelsea Flop Not In The Team

There are several notable omissions from Vicente Del Bosque’s Spain squad to face Italy in an international friendly next week, including Manchester United pair Juan Mata and David de Gea.

Manager David Moyes faces some tricky decisions to half the club’s decline but their poor form has already dented the World Cups of two of their stars.

One of the contributing factors behind Mata’s decision to join the Red Devils in a £37.5 million club record deal in January was the pursuit of regular game time, but he has not done enough to be included.

Meanwhile, Old Trafford goalkeeper de Gea has seemingly paid the price for United’s sloppy defensive displays with Iker Casillas, Jose Reina and Victor Valdes chosen at his expense. 

Chelsea’s Fernando Torres has also been overlooked, which is unsurprising given his continued poor form, despite a well taken goal against Galatasaray in the Champions League in midweek. However, his team mate Cesar Azpilicueta, who has become a key member of Jose Mourinho’s side has been included.

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, who has recently changed allegiance from Brazil, completes a formidable forward line.

Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla and Manchester City trio David Silva, Jesus Navas and Alvaro Nergredo complete a line-up of five Premier League stars that feature in the squad.

Elsewhere the squad is dominated by Spain’s top two clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona but there are also several inclusions from Atletico Madrid, rewarding theri fine form in La Liga this season.

Such is the talent within the reigning world champions’ contingent of players, David Villa, Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Arbeloa have also failed to make the cut, with the full squad below.

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).

Defenders: Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea).

Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City).

Forwards: Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Jesus Navas (Manchester City), Pedro (Barcelona), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid).

Culled from Squawka