Fernando Llorente, Raul Albiol and Pepe Reina have all been included in Spain’s provisional 30-man World Cup squad.
Fernando Llorente, Raul Albiol and Pepe Reina have all been included in Spain’s provisional 30-man World Cup squad.
The Juventus forward and Napoli duo have been listed by Vicente del Bosque ahead of today’s FIFA deadline for submission, but there is no place for Jose Callejon or Borja Valero, despite strong seasons in Serie A.
Llorente, who has enjoyed a strong comeback season with Juventus following a difficult final year at Athletic Bilbao, faces competition from Diego Costa, David Villa, Fernando Torres and Alvaro Negredo for a spot on the plane to Brazil.
Meanwhile, Albiol and Reina may be more assured of their place, having been squad regulars under Del Bosque through recent years, including qualification to this summer’s tournament – Reina is also one of only three goalkeepers named in a squad that Del Bosque will cut to his final 23 on May 25.
La Roja begin the defence of their title won four years ago in South Africa in Group B with an opening fixture against their 2010 Final opponents the Netherlands, before games with Chile and Australia.
Provisional Spain World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David De Gea (Manchester United)
Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), Xavi (Barcelona), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Pedro (Barcelona), Jesus Navas (Manchester City), David Silva (Manchester City), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Manchester United), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Forwards: Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), David Villa (Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Fernando Llorente (Juventus)