Chelsea trio and Arsenal star omitted from Spain WC squad

Matt Stead

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata is absent from the Spain squad that will travel to the World Cup.

The 25-year-old managed only 11 league goals for the Blues this season and only appeared as a last-minute substitute in Saturday’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester United.

United goalkeeper David de Gea, Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta, Arsenal’s Nacho Monreal and David Silva of Manchester City are the Premier League players who have made Julen Lopetegui’s 23-man squad.

Morata, who struggled during his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, is joined by his Chelsea team-mates Cesc Fabregas and Marcos Alonso in missing out on a ticket to Russia.

Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin, Atletico Madrid forward Vitolo and Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Martinez are also surprise omissions.

El Clasico stars Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Isco, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Lucas Vazquez, Jordi Alba, Nacho and Dani Carvajal will fly the flag for Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The scorer of the winning goal for Spain in the 2010 World Cup final, Iniesta on Sunday played his last game for Barca after a 16-year spell at the Nou Camp.

Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa, now back at Atletico, has made the cut after plundering seven goals for the capital club following his return to eligibility in January.

Check out the rest of the World Cup squads here.