Submitted by content on Fri, 11/11/2016 - 06:47
Chelsea play maker Cesc Fabregas missed out of a call-up to the national team for World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Albania after Spain coach Julen Lopetegui ignored him.
The Spaniard was left out along with his club-mate Cesar Azpilicueta for the forthcoming international games.
The former Barcelona and Arsenal star has struggled to make impact this term under Coach Antonio Conte. Lopetugui ignored the World Cup winner in September, and deemed it fit to repeat it again in his new list for the Italy affair. Azpilicueta was named in the squad for last month qualifiers, but has failed to make the list this time.
Napoli in-form player Jose Callejon earned a call-up to the team. He has not played for Spain since appearing as a substitute in 2014. The former Real Madrid player has been in brilliant form this campaign, scoring five goals in six games in the Serie A. Lopetugui feels Callejon has earned a recall to the squad with his performances.
Aside Azpilicueta, Real Madrid defender Nacho and Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico made the first list in September, but would miss this round of fixtures this time. Barcelona skipper Andres Iniesta is back in the squad after injury kept him away. Despite playing just 54 minutes in the La Liga, Real Madrid’s Isco is back to the national team.
Lopetugui decided to drop Marco Asensio in the Under 21 set-up despite being more involved than Isco at the Santiago Bernabeu this season. Barcelona’s Paco Alacer has not been called and Borussia Dortmund defender Marc Bartra missed out on the list due to injury.
“Callejon can give us a lot of things. He is at a very high level. Sergio Rico has been playing well. We want to have him here. Fabregas gas played a bit more at Chelsea. We like Cesc, but we have to choose,” the coach said.
- Log in to post comments