Luis Enrique has announced the Spain national team squad that will be making the trip to Qatar in a few days to compete at the World Cup. However, the list includes some notable absentees, and a lot of faith in young talents.
Barcelona youngsters Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati have all made the line-up, while Koke, Alvaro Morata and Marcos Llorente from Atletico Madrid have made it in as well.
Spain national team consists of several notable absentees
Here is the squad picked by Luis Enrique in full:
GOALKEEPERS: Unai Simón, Robert Sánchez, David Raya
DEFENDERS: Dani Carvajal, César Azpilicueta, Eric GarcÃa, Hugo Guillamón, Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte, Jordi Alba, Jose Gayá
MIDFIELDERS: Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Gavi, Carlos Soler, Marcos Llorente, Pedri, Koke
FORWARDS: Ferran Torres, Pablo Sarabia, Yeremy Pino, Alvaro Morata, Marco Asensio, Nico Williams, Ansu Fati, Dani Olmo
Former Spain captain Sergio Ramos, Manchester United’s David De Gea and Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara have all been left out of the squad to some surprise. All three have been in fine form recently, but have been left out of the team by Enrique.
De Gea’s exclusion is nothing new since he has been replaced by Unai Simon, who is better with his feet. Ramos’ injury record has sidelined him from the squad altogether, by the looks of things, while Thiago’s exclusion seems a little harsh considering his displays at Liverpool.
Younger players are being favoured now, in favour of a new era of Spanish football.
