Julen Lopetegui admits Marcos Alonso has been omitted from Spain’s latest squad because he is playing in a different system at Chelsea.
Alonso was a surprise £24 million singing from Fiorentina last summer but the 26-year-old has impressed on the left side of Conte’s 3-4-3 formation at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso has never been capped with Spain’s senior team and was surprisingly left out of their latest squad for the World Cup qualifier against Israel and the friendly with France later this month.
‘Marcos Alonso is playing very well at Chelsea, but they have a slightly different system,’ explained Spain boss Lopetegui.
‘We’ve watched him but we’ve decided on [Nacho] Monreal and Jordi Alba.’
Pedro earned a recall to the squad after being left out in November, while Cesar Azpilicueta and Diego Costa were also included.
Despite his recent form, Cesc Fabregas failed to win a place but Real Sociedad midfielder Asier Illarramendi was given his first call-up.
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