De Gea kept out as Kepa returns

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea stays out of the Spain squad whereas Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga returns as Luis de la Fuente selected an enormous overhaul in his first choice as new nationwide workforce boss.

De la Fuente beforehand coach the county’s under-21s facet and changed Luis Enrique shortly after Spain have been eradicated by Morocco within the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup.

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Only 11 members of the squad on the match in Qatar are in his 26-man choice for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers in opposition to Norway and Scotland, with three uncapped gamers included — Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, Osasuna’s David Garcia and Espanyol’s Joselu Mato.

Neither De Gea nor Kepa have been a part of the Spain squad on the World Cup.

De Gea, who has carried out properly this season and lately grew to become United’s all-time clear sheet report holder, has not featured for Spain since October 2020. Meanwhile, Kepa’s revival at Chelsea have earned him a recall — the primary time he’s again within the squad since November 2020.

Brighton’s Robert Sanchez and Brentford’s David Raya stay within the group.

“Our goalkeeper Unai Simon is out injured. We wish him a speedy recovery,” De la Fuetne mentioned in a information convention on Friday. “Kepa is the most experienced of the three [Raya and Sanchez] but they will have to earn their place.

“We will take a look at how they do every day earlier than deciding who begins. All three are superb and I’m positive whoever performs will do properly.”

“When deciding on this squad, I’ve not seemed on the previous however relatively at present and the longer term.”

Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas returns to the national team for the first time since June 2019. The 35-year-old has scored 11 goals in 25 league appearances for Celta.

There were calls in Spain for Aspas’ teammate, highly-rated midfielder Gabri Veiga, to receive his first call-up but the 20-year-old was left out.

Another player back after a long absence is Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez, with his last appearance for Spain in 2018.

Tottenham winger Bryan Gil, who has only featured 269 minutes in LaLiga since joining Sevilla on a six-month loan in January, was a surprise inclusion on the roster.

He is joined by Spurs teammate Pedro Porro.

Spain host Norway on March 25 and take on Scotland in Glasgow on March 28.

“Norway aren’t simply [Erling] Haaland, they’ve a terrific workforce. They have superb gamers,” De la Fuente said. “We will attempt to restrict them. We all know Haaland, who’s the modern striker and now crucial in world soccer, however I’m specializing in my gamers, who’re additionally nice.”

Spain 26-player choice:

Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea), Robert Sanchez (Brighton) and David Raya (Brentford).

Defenders: Jose Luis Gaya (Valencia), Alejandro Balde (FC Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Inigo Martinez (Athletic Club), Nacho Fernandez and Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), David García (Osasuna) and Pedro Porro (Tottenham).

Midfielders: Rodri Hernandez (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Pedri and Gavi (FC Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (PSG) and Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid).

Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Atletico de Madrid), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Bryan Gil (Sevilla), Mikel Oyazarbal (Real Sociedad), Iago Aspas (Celta), Joselu (RCD Espanyol) and Gerard Moreno (Villarreal).