Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has left out some very big names in his provisional 25 man squad for Euro 2016, and three top Premier League players as well as a former Liverpool and Chelsea star miss out.
There are some shocking omissions in Spain’s provisional Euro 2016 squad as Chelsea forward Diego Costa, Manchester United and Arsenal midfielders Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla, as well as Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres will not be participating in Europe’s most prestigious international competition.
“If we had called others up, you’d be asking about people who are now on the list,” said Spain manager Del Bosque when asked about his selection, according to ESPN.
“You cannot bring everyone. Cazorla’s situation is very like that with Diego — he has been out five months, made a great effort to be ready, but we cannot have doubts over too many people.”
Interesting decisions by Del Bosque, as some of Spain’s top players are humbled
While Santi Cazorla recently returned to action for Arsenal after a prolonged period out with injury, Juan Mata has been in and out of the Manchester United team this season but has put in some notable performances. Chelsea’s belligerent forward Diego Costa suffered a poor run of form early in the season, but has still managed 14 goals and seven assists this season.
Fernando Torres may be on the wrong side of 30, but the veteran Spaniard has been very influential for Atletico Madrid in the business end of the season. He scored in five consecutive matches for Los Rojiblancos, including the all important away goal against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, and even netted in their final two La Liga games.
Provisional 25-man Spain squad for Euro 2016
Goalkeepers:- Iker Casillas (Porto), David De Gea (Manchester United), Sergio Rico (Sevilla)
Defenders:- Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra (all Barcelona), Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders:- Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta (both Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao), Koke, Saul Niguez (both Atletico Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Isco (Real Madrid), Bruno Soriano (Villarreal)
Forwards:- Pedro Rodriguez (Chelsea), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao), Nolito (Celta Vigo), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid)
