5 players who might not make Spain’s World Cup squad

2010 Champions Spain go into the World Cup in Russia as one of the clear title favourites. They are still unbeaten since Julen Lopetegui took over the reigns, after the disappointing Euro 2016.

They have a really good mix of new players and the old guards. The manager has a tough job on his hands to select a squad of 23 for the World Cup.

Though he is almost certain of his midfield and defence, uncertainties remain in the attack. He has called up more than 10 strikers since his arrival.

Spain plays Germany and Argentina in the World Cup friendlies this week and the manager has made some surprise inclusions in the squad. He left Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata out of the squad and brought in Diego Costa.

With a few weeks remaining, expect quite a few surprises when Lopetegui announces his final squad of 23.

#5 Sergi Roberto

Sergi Roberto deserves a place in the squad but might not get one

The Barcelona star is playing some excellent football at the moment but having no luck with the national team. He has been a mainstay in the Barcelona team this season and produced some scintillating performances as a right-back.

With Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta, Real Sociedad's Alvaro Odriolzola and Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal among others in fine form for their respective clubs, Roberto has a small chance of breaking into the national team as the positions he excels in are currently occupied by very good players.

Also, manager Julen Lopetegui is not a big fan of the Barcelona right-back. Despite his good form for Barcelona and ability to occupy various positions in defence and midfield, the manager does not see him an ideal candidate for the national team.

#4 Pedro Rodriguez

Pedro don't deserve a place in the Spain World Cup squad

The latest squad for friendlies with Germany and Argentina does not include Pedro Rodriguez. He was dropped from the Spain squad because of poor form for the club and country.

Julen Lopetegui has identified some alternative names to play in the wide areas. Valencia's Rodrigo Moreno is an option. Though he is not a natural winger, he has done that role for Valencia. Real Madrid’s Lucas Vasquez and the debutant Marcus Alonso can also play in the wide areas.

If these newcomers manage to have a couple of decent games, Pedro’s chance of coming back into the squad will become very hard.

Though the 30-year-old has the experience of 64 caps for the national team, he is awfully out of touch at the moment and manager, Lopetegui may want to add fresh young legs in the place of Pedro.

#3 Cesc Fabregas

Fabregas might not make it to the Spain squad based on his current form

Fabregas is a forgotten man in the Spain national team. The former Barcelona star last played for Spain at Euro 2016 and ever since Lopetegui took charge of the Spain national team, the Chelsea man has never been called up to the side.

Spain has an abundance of talents in the central midfield area and Fabregas' chances of making it to the Spain squad looks near impossible at the moment. He is not in great form either as Chelsea is struggling in the Premier League.

With players like Saul Niguez, Koke, Dani Parejo, Thiago Alcantara, and Andres Iniesta in fine form for their respective clubs, Fabregas will find it hard to add to his 110 Spain caps. The 30-year-old needs a miracle to be on the plane to Russia.

#2 Hector Bellerin

Bellerin has to do a lot more to get a place in the Spain squad

Bellerin is one of the better right-backs in the world. However, he is not the best in Spain as he finds himself occupying a position that La Furia Roja has talent in abundance.

The 23-year-old has made only 3 appearances for the Spain national team so far and last played for them in 2016.

Spain has lots of options for the right-back position and Bellerin is competing against players like Dani Carvajal, Cesar Azpilicueta, Alvaro Odriozola, Mario Gaspar and Sergi Roberto. Though he is a quality defender, inconsistency has been an issue for him right throughout his career.

A move to Spain last summer might have helped his chances but it’s too late now to talk about that. Only a flurry of injuries to other players will give him any chance of making it to the Spain squad.

#1 Alvaro Morata

Upcoming Chelsea games will decide his World Cup fate

Manager; Lopetegui has made a big call, just weeks before the start of the tournament. He left out Chelsea striker Morata for friendlies against Germany and Argentina and recalled the in-form Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.

Lopetegui said, he did not include him in his 24-strong squad because he hasn’t played much recently after a series of “physical problems.”

With Iago Aspas all but certain to be named in the squad, a couple of good games for Diego Costa will put a lot of pressure on the former Real Madrid striker.

Morata is in poor goalscoring run right now. He scored his first goal in 2018 as he ended a 13-game goal scoring drought with a goal against Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-final win.

The 24-year-old will have to produce some good performances for Chelsea to gain a place in the World Cup squad. The door is still open for him but not for long.