Fernando Torres has been left out of Vicente del Bosque’s squad for the Venezuela friendly next week due to his woeful form for Chelsea in front of goal this season. The Spanish striker has scored just 4 times in 29 games this season adding to his sole goal at the end of the last campaign, and has failed to find the net in over 5 months.- Del Bosque told Spanish media that his performances of late had ‘been a bit irregular’ and that he would like to reward other strikers who merit a place in the squad more than the man who’s goal won the Euro 2008 Final. As a result, Roberto Soldado, Iker Muniain, Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Negredo are the strikers to have been named.
But with David Villa’s recovery from injury predicted so closely to the beginning of Euro 2012 and Torres’ form lacking, Spain look to be going into the tournament without their two top marksmen in any sort of form and a seemingly inexperienced frontline in their absence.; del Bosque’s current striker roster boasts just 28 caps and 11 goals.
Conversely with David Silva, Andres Iniesta, Santi Cazorla, Juan Mata and Cesc Fabregas comprising the midfield, chances are their respective international records will soon improve. The Spanish manager also gave Torres hope by saying that this was by no means his final squad for the European Championships, which Spain will defend this year.
This is the full squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Andoni Iraola (Athletic Bilbao), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City), Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao), Roberto Soldado (Valencia), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Juan Mata (Chelsea), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla)
