Barcelona star Jordi Alba left out of Luis Enrique's first Spain squad

Sport360 staff 15:09 31/08/2018
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  • Jordi Alba.

    Jordi Alba is a high-profile omission from Luis Enrique’s first Spain squad as La Roja prepare to face England in the Nations League.

    The Barcelona full-back has won 66 caps for his country and was a regular in the side that won Euro 2012 as well as featuring in Spain’s unsuccessful World Cup campaign this summer.

    Alba was critical of Enrique’s spell in charge at the Nou Camp so it is perhaps no surprise that Jose Gaya of Valencia has been preferred in the 23-man squad that will take on England at Wembley and then Croatia.

    Gerard Pique, David Silva and Andres Iniesta have all retired from international duty, while Koke and Iago Aspas are two other notable absentees.

    Five Premier League players have been named, with the Chelsea quartet of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, Alvaro Morata all included along with the returning Marcos Alonso, while David de Gea is expected to retain the number one shirt despite enduring an indifferent time in Russia.

    Squad in full:

    Goalkeepers: De Gea, Kepa, Pau Lopez

    Defenders: Carvajal, Azpilicueta, Albiol, D. Llorente, Nacho, Ramos, I. Martinez, M. Alonso, Gaya

    Midfielders: Busquets, S. Roberto, Rodri, Saul, Thiago, Ceballos

    Attack: Isco, Asensio, Morata, Costa, Suso, Rodrigo

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