Spain Recall Torres For Eagles

TORRES

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has recalled Fernando Torres and Javi Martinez to what is a conservative 26-man provisional squad for June’s Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Torres is joined by fellow Chelsea players Juan Mata and Cesar Azpilicueta, while Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal are in, as is Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina.


Sevilla’s Alvaro Negredo has been left out, but one of Torres, Roberto Soldado (Valencia) or Barcelona’s David Villa could be among the three names pared from the list after Spain’s domestic season ends next weekend. Betis playmaker Benat Etxebarria, Garcia and Monreal are also candidates to be cut.

Barcelona’s Carles Puyol is a notable absentee, but Del Bosque has kept faith with the core of Spain’s World Cup and Euro 2012 winners, choosing not to rest players such as Xabi Alonso or Xavi Hernandez, who have had demanding and injury-hit club seasons.

The coach said all his senior players wanted to make the trip and he had not thought about giving anyone a longer summer break.

“We are at the end of the season, and whenever there is a tournament of this type it is impossible that the players arrive fresh,” he explained.

“I do not think any of the players of Nigeria, Uruguay, Brazil or Spain will arrive in perfect condition. I believe they are players with extraordinary physical  talent. If we had any doubt, none of them would go. If the club doctors or the players themselves see that they cannot go, we will not force anyone.”

Provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Casillas (Madrid), Valdes (Barcelona), Reina (Liverpool).

Defenders: Ramos, Arbeloa, Albiol (Real Madrid), Pique, Alba (Barcelona), Monreal (Arsenal), Azpilicueta (Chelsea).

Midfielders: Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Fabregas (Barcelona), Alonso (Madrid), Garcia (Manchester City), Cazorla (Arsenal), Martinez (Bayern), Silva (Manchester City), Etxebarria (Betis).

Forwards: Mata, Torres (Chelsea), Villa, Rodriguez (Barcelona), Soldado (Valencia), Navas (Sevilla).


Source: Completesportsnigeria