By Betsefy
Spain boss Luis Enrique has named six Barcelona players in his squad for the national team’s September UEFA Nations League matches against Switzerland and Portugal.
La Roja are currently top of League A Group 2, having picked up eight points from their four matches in the competition courtesy of two wins and two draws.
Spain will face Switzerland on September 24 before taking on Portugal three days later, with the matches representing the team’s final fixtures ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
The European nation will begin their World Cup campaign against Costa Rica on November 23, while they will also take on Germany and Japan in Group E.
© Reuters
Enrique has included six Barcelona players, with Jordi Alba, Eric Garcia, Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Gavi and Ferran Torres all named in the squad.
However, there is no room for Ansu Fati, with the 19-year-old largely being used off the bench this term.
Fati has contributed two goals and two assists in five La Liga matches this season, but the teenager is not currently being considered for starts on a regular basis, as the Catalan outfit want to carefully build his fitness due to his recent injury problems.
Thiago Alcantara and Sergio Ramos are also notable absentees, while David de Gea continues to be overlooked, with the Manchester United goalkeeper seemingly unlikely to travel to the World Cup.
© Reuters
Aymeric Laporte has been absent for Manchester City this season through injury, so the centre-back has also not been considered for the La Roja squad.
There are first call-ups for Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams and Real Betis’ Borja Iglesias, while Marco Asensio is also in the squad despite his lack of action for Real Madrid this term.
Pablo Sarabia, Alvaro Morata and Yeremi Pino are also among Enrique’s options in the final third of the field, while Hugo Guillamon and Diego Llorente are both included at the back.
Marcos Alonso has been overlooked, with Jose Gaya and Alba the two left-back options in the squad, while Dani Carvajal and Cesar Azpilicueta will seemingly go head to head for the right-back spot.
Spain squad:
Unai Simon, Robert Sanchez, David Raya; Jordi Alba, Pau Torres, Jose Gaya, Hugo Guillamon, Diego Llorente, Eric Garcia, Cesar Azpilicueta, Dani Carvajal; Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Pedri, Koke, Gavi, Marcos Llorente, Carlos Soler; Borja Iglesias, Nico Williams, Pablo Sarabia, Alvaro Morata, Marco Asensio, Yeremi Pino, Ferran Torres
