Spain reveal provisional EURO 2016 squad

Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque has today named a 25-man provisional squad for the 2016 European Championships in France.

Del Bosque has decided to add a sprinkle of youth to the already vastly experienced and somewhat aging squad comprised largely of a cohort of players from Barcelona and Real Madrid. Exciting attacking players such as Celta Vigo’s Nolito, Juventus’ striker Alvaro Morata and Athletic Bilbao’s Aduriz offer Del Bosque alternative options.

The Spanish squad is very familiar to regular viewers of the Champions League, the Premier League and La Liga, however, one glaring omission from the squad is Chelsea’s often controversial striker Diego Costa despite being a regular in the side during the qualification campaign and the most capped forward.

The biggest question on everybody’s lips is who will start between the sticks. Manchester United’s David De Gea has yet again had a superb season and few could argue he deserves to get the nod ahead of FC Porto’s veteran lker Casillas, but Del Bosque may still opt for the former Real Madrid shot stopper.

Spain include the highly experienced defensive trio of Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona) and Jordi Alba (FC Barcelona) and the midfield has the crafty David Silva (Manchester City), and stalwarts Andres Iniesta (FC Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona), and Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea FC).

In addition, there is the exciting inclusions of Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid CF) who has impressed with his mature displays in midfield this season and San Jose (Athletic Club) who has been rewarded for his consistent performances in recent years.

The impressive Atletico Madrid midfield pairing of Koke and Saul Niguez give Spain an added dimension and deservedly earned a call-up after being an integral part of the successful Champions League campaign which has seen Atletico reach their second final in three seasons.

Spain, get their bid to do an unprecedented three in a row, underway with a tough encounter against the Czech Republic who impressed in qualification, in Toulouse on 13^th June, followed by Turkey in Nice on 17^th June with their final game against Croatia in Bordeaux on 21^st June in what could well be the game that decides who tops the group.

The provisional Spanish squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Porto FC), David De Gea (Manchester United FC), Sergio Rico (Sevilla FC)

Defenders: Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid CF), Juanfran (C. Atletico de Madrid), Gerard Pique (FC Barcelona), Marc Bartra (FC Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Jordi Alba (FC Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea FC)

Midfielders: Mikel San Jose (Athletic Club), Bruno (Villareal CF), Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid), Thiago (Bayern Munich), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea FC), Andres Iniesta (FC Barcelona), Isco (Real Madrid), Saul Niguez (C. Atletico de Madrid), Koke (C. Atletico de Madrid), Pedro Rodriguez (Chelsea FC)

Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Juventus FC), Nolito (RC Celta de Vigo), Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Club)