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31st May 2016

If you think Danny Drinkwater is unlucky to be missing the Euros, look at the Spain squad

More big names miss out

Simon Lloyd

The ‘selection headache’ is one of those footballing clichés that’s reserved for times like these.

With international managers across the continent announcing their preliminary squads for Euro 2016 a fortnight ago, many have now announced their final squads for the tournament.

With Englishmen quarrelling amongst themselves over Roy Hodgson’s decision to drop league-winner Danny Drinkwater from his 23-man squad, Vincente del Bosque is a man that’s been faced with what some might describe as being some considerably bigger calls.

His Spanish side will kick-off the tournament in France as reigning European champions – a title they’ve held since winning the competition in 2008. Despite this, they performed poorly at their last international showing in the World Cup two summers ago and as a result, some of the names that featured in Brazil will miss out this summer.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA - JUNE 29: Captain Iker Casillas of Spain lifts the trophy after winning against Germany in the UEFA EURO 2008 Final match between Germany and Spain at Ernst Happel Stadion on June 29, 2008 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

We already knew that Premier League stars such as Manchester United’s Juan Mata and Chelsea’s Diego Costa were not in contention for a seat on the Spanish plane to France, after the Del Bosque’s preliminary squad was announced a fortnight ago. Now, we’ve learned that two more high-profile names will not feature for Spain.

Fresh from winning the Champions League with Real Madrid at the weekend (albeit as a 72nd minute substitute for Toni Kroos), Isco missed the cut along with Atletico Madrid midfielder Saúl Ñíguez.

Premier League based players David De Gea, Hector Bellerin, Cesar Azpiluceta, Pedro, Cesc Fabregas and David Silva have all made it.

Here is the squad in full:

When you can afford to drop a couple of Champions League finalists from your squad, you know you’re in a strong position.