Struggling Morata left out of Spain squad

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has been left out of the Spain squad for this month’s friendlies against Germany and Argentina.

The 25-year-old has not scored for Chelsea in 2018 and started the Blues’ last three matches on the bench.

His omission came 24 hours after Chelsea’s Gary Cahill was left out of the England squad.

However, Spain boss Julen Lopetegui indicated that the former Real Madrid forward is still in his thoughts for the World Cup.

He said: “The World Cup is not tomorrow. There are players who are not on the list whose chances of going to the World Cup are intact.

“The fact players haven’t been called is down to various things; form, injuries and also to see new players better.

“Morata is somebody who has almost always been included. He’s had some physical problems and he’s not been playing much and we’ve decided that now it was better to call up others.

“But he’s not out of our thoughts and he has his chances to go to the World Cup.

“We hope that he will have more prominence in his team. I’m sure he’s going to have an extraordinary end to the season and will have every chance to be with us. I’ve no doubt about that.”

Morata’s uncapped club colleague Marcos Alonso has been named in Lopetegui’s 24-man squad for the two matches, while former Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been recalled.

Spain face Germany in Dusseldorf on March 23 and Argentina four days later at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano stadium.