MX23RW : Monday, May 1 00:38:08| >> :600:2190680:2190680:

New head coach Luis de la Fuente names first Spain squad

New head coach Luis de la Fuente names first Spain squad
© Reuters
New Spain boss Luis de la Fuente makes huge changes in his first squad selection since replacing Luis Enrique.

New Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has named his first squad since replacing Luis Enrique as head coach of the 2010 world champions towards the end of 2022.

Enrique departed his position following the disappointment of the 2022 World Cup, with La Roja being eliminated in the last-16 stage of the competition in Qatar.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has again been overlooked, but there is a spot in the squad for Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga, with number one Unai Simon out through injury.

De la Fuente has kept just 11 members of the squad from the World Cup, meaning that there are 15 new faces in the selection following the competition towards the end of last year.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente reacts on July 22, 2021© Reuters

There are three uncapped players in the squad, with Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, Osasuna's David Garcia and Espanyol's Joselu rewarded for their strong form this season.

"Our goalkeeper Unai Simon is out injured. We wish him a speedy recovery," De la Fuente told reporters on Friday. "Kepa is the most experienced of the three [Raya and Sanchez] but they will have to earn their place.

"We will look at how they do on a daily basis before deciding who starts. All three are very good and I'm sure whoever plays will do well. When selecting this squad, I have not looked at the past but rather at the present and the future."

Iago Aspas has found the back of the net on 11 occasions in La Liga this season for Celta Vigo, and the 35-year-old has also been brought back into the squad.

Iago Aspas celebrates scoring for Celta Vigo on August 20, 2022© Reuters

Barcelona's Pedri was initially named in the squad, having made excellent progress in his recovery from a hamstring issue, but the midfielder has suffered a setback - ruling him out of Sunday's El Clasico - which has seen him withdraw.

"The national coach, Luis de la Fuente, has unsummoned Pedri for the next few matches of the Spanish National Team after the conversations held between the medical services of the Royal Spanish Football Federation and Barcelona," read an official statement from Spain.

Gavi and Alejandro Balde are therefore the only Barcelona players in the squad, while Real Madrid have three representatives in the shape of Nacho, Dani Carvajal and Dani Ceballos.

Sergio Busquets has now retired from international duty, while Jordi Alba, Koke, Marcos Llorente, Ferran Torres, Marco Asensio and Ansu Fati are among the notable absentees.

Spain will take on Norway in their first Euro 2024 qualification fixture on March 25 before continuing their Group A campaign against Scotland three days later.

Full Spain squad

Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea), Robert Sanchez (Brighton & Hove Albion), David Raya (Brentford)

Defenders: Jose Gaya (Valencia), Alejandro Balde (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Inigo Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Nacho (Real Madrid), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), David Garcia (Osasuna), Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Gavi (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid)

Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Bryan Gil (Sevilla), Mikel Oyazarbal (Real Sociedad), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Joselu (Espanyol), Gerard Moreno (Villarreal)

ID:509409:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7294:

Click here for more stories about Ansu Fati

Click here for more stories about Spain

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema in action against Real Valladolid on December 30, 2022
Read Next:
Combined XI: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32244484305476
2Arsenal33236478384075
3Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331811461273465
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd32196749391063
5Liverpool33168965422356
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs34166126357654
7Aston Villa34166124642454
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton31157961402152
9Brentford34121485244850
10Fulham33136144545045
11Crystal Palace341010143545-1040
12Chelsea32109133035-539
13Bournemouth34116173664-2839
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34107172950-2137
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham3397173747-1034
16Leeds UnitedLeeds3479184367-2430
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479183062-3230
18Leicester CityLeicester3385204457-1329
19Everton33610172550-2528
20Southampton3466222860-3224

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!