Manchester United’s record £37.1m signing Juan Mata has been left out of Vicente Del Bosque’s latest Spain squad, as they prepare for their upcoming friendly against Italy. Mata, 25, has been the standout United player since his big-money move, but he hasn’t been able to force his way back into their stellar squad just yet.
The World Cup is now just four months away, and Juan’s participation in that is looking very unlikely unless he begins to put in some world-class performances from now until the end of the season. Thiago Alcantara, Santi Cazorla and Koke all play in a similar position to Mata, and Juan will have to dispossess one of the three if he is to be aboard the plane to Brazil come June.
David de Gea still hasn’t been able to make his way into the squad as of yet too, with Casillas, Reina and Valdes all preferred.
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).
Defenders: Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea).
Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City).
Forwards: Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Jesus Navas (Manchester City), Pedro (Barcelona), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid).
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Average footballer who bagged 20 goals and 35 assists last year? Ok mate…
Not surprised at all at his omission…hes not Roy Hodgson who will gladly pick shit like Cleverley time after time..this is Spain and under Moyes Mata will be a shadow of the player he is…Wanker Moyes the root of all that’s bad in football
Well done moyes.Fucked mata up now! Your a very talented bloke on the sly.