Julen Lopetegui says Lucas Hernandez is ‘not eligible’, Alvaro Morata is still in his plans for Spain and that ‘it was the right moment for Marcos Alonso.’
Lucas was selected by France, despite reports that he was trying to gain Spanish citizenship, while Morata was dropped for La Roja’s upcoming friendlies against Germany and Argentina, with Diego Costa taking the Chelsea striker’s place, and Alonso received his first-ever call-up.
“Lucas? He’s not eligible for selection,” the Coach said at a Press conference to explain his choices.
“I don’t have much more to add to what’s happened. I’ll go back to what I always say, I won’t talk about players who aren’t eligible for selection.
“We have to focus our interests and attention on the 24 who are in the squad. Lucas has been called up by France and is delighted.
“We wish him all the luck of the world and that he does great for them. I’d prefer to only talk about the players that can be called up.
“Willian Jose? It strikes me that you [journalists] are only asking about the players we can’t call up…
“There are 12 others that we can’t call up and can’t attempt to because they’re not eligible for selection. While they’re not eligible, nothing can be done.
“Morata? He has a clear chance of making the World Cup. Costa? When he was competing and playing at a good level, Diego was always with us.
“He had a long spell of not playing and is now playing again at Atletico Madrid, but Alvaro still has a clear chance of making the World Cup.
“He’s someone who’s almost always been with us. He’s had a series of physical problems and not played much.
“We think it’s better if another player is picked over him, but we hope he’ll feature more in the next three months.
“He’s in our thinking and he has a real chance of playing at the World Cup. He’s going to have an extraordinary end to the season, I have no doubt about that.
“Marcos Alonso and Dani Parejo? It was the right moment for them through their form, situations and context of players in their positions.
“However, there are many players who deserve to be called up but haven’t because we can only call up a certain time.”
