Spain squad: Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal stars miss out on World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Albania

SPAIN have left out a number of Premier League stars for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Albania.

Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata is the biggest casualty after putting in some impressive performances under Jose Mourinho this season.

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The ex-Chelsea man was left on the bench for Julen Lopetgui’s first two games against Belgium and Liechenstein but has now been overlooked in favour of fit-again Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta.

Blues defender Cesar Azpilicueta has also been dropped following his club’s back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal, with versatile Real Madrid centre-back Nacho earning a recall.

Gunners star Hector Bellerin continues to be overlooked despite making Spain’s Euro 2016 squad as a replacement for Dani Carvajal, with Chelsea duo Cesc Fabregas and Pedro also remaining out of the picture.

Meanwhile, West Ham goalkeeper Adrian but he has been left out in favour of Sevilla’s Sergio Rico after earning a shock call-up to Lopetgui’s first squad.

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Prodigy Marco Asensio, Barcelona striker Paco Alcacer and Borussia Dortmund defender Marc Bartra also fail to make the cut, with Real’s Isco and Napoli winger Jose Callejon included instead.

Diego Costa keeps his place after scoring an impressive five goals in five league games under Antonio Conte, and is sure to be handed a starting place ahead of bit-part Real forward Alvaro Morata.

David De Gea remains Spain’s first-choice goalie, while Manchester City’s new signing Nolito will be pushing for a spot on the wing.

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Spain squad to face Italy and Albania:

Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Sergio Rico (Sevilla)

Defenders: Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)

Midfielders: Koke (Atletico Madrid), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Isco (Real Madrid)

Forwards: Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid), Jose Callejon (Napoli), Vitolo (Sevilla), Nolito (Manchester City), Diego Costa (Chelsea), Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid)

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