Morata, Fabregas out of WC

MADRID. - Alvaro Morata and Cesc Fabregas have both been left out of Spain’s World Cup soccer squad.

Arsenal ace Hector Bellerin is another English Premier League casualty but team-mate Nacho Monreal and Blues star Cesar Azpilicueta get the nod.

Manchester United keeper David De Gea and City midfielder David Silva are also named in Spain manager Julen Lopetegui’s 23-man party.

Chelsea striker Morata (25) was Golden Boot runner-up with three goals at Euro 2016.

But he has struggled since his £60million switch from Real Madrid last summer. World Cup and two-time Euros winner Fabregas (31) has failed to force himself into a midfield packed with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Silva.

Arsenal right-back Bellerin (23) was named in the Euro 2016 squad but did not make a single appearance.

He has failed to find his best form in a disappointing season for the Gunners and will play no part in Russia.

Morata paid the price for a disappointing debut season in the Premier League as Spain coach Julen Lopetegui picked Iago Aspas and Rodrigo Moreno up front, along with Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa.

“The decision is always difficult because of the talent of the players we have,” Lopetegui said.

“We have opted for three other players who had different assets and including four players up front was not something we wanted to do.”

Two more Chelsea players also missed out as Marcos Alonso and Fabregas were not included in the 23-man group. — AFP.