SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 1 hr 34 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Spain coach Moreno hails "exemplary" Cazorla

:Headline: Spain coach Moreno hails 'exemplary' Cazorla: ID:359550: from db_amp
The midfielder almost retired following recurring Achilles problems during his last two seasons at Arsenal.

Santi Cazorla's recall to the Spain squad is reward for his fine season with Villarreal, according to stand-in coach Robert Moreno.

The former Arsenal midfielder has rediscovered top form and fitness since returning to LaLiga, earning him a first international call in four years for Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands on June 7 and Sweden three days later.

Moreno, deputising with Luis Enrique absent for personal reasons, said in a press conference broadcast on the national team's Twitter feed: "(Cazorla) is here because of his performances, which have been very good since the beginning of the season.

"That makes us especially happy. Cazorla is exemplary, because he has had to go through something very hard for a player: injury."

Cazorla played only 23 league games across his final two seasons in north London due to a serious and recurring Achilles problem, which almost forced him to retire.

But he has bounced back this season, scoring seven goals in 45 appearances in all competitions and helping the Yellow Submarine to the Europa League quarter-finals.

Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal also returns for the first time since making his only senior international appearance as a substitute against Switzerland in 2016.

Oyarzabal, like Napoli's Fabian Ruiz, will join the under-21 team at the European Championship after the two qualifiers but Valencia forward Rodrigo and Real Madrid's Marco Asensio will not be available to the age-group team.

Isco returns after missing March's opening qualifiers against Norway and Malta as Real provide four players to Barcelona's three.

Moreno added: "Isco is a player who can make the difference. Luis Enrique said he is a very important player in the national team, but that depends on whether he plays or not.

Isco is back in the picture (Mike Egerton/PA)

"Under (Real boss Zinedine) Zidane he has played again and we are delighted that he is back with us."

Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga will compete for the goalkeeping jersey with Manchester United's David De Gea.

De Gea's recent form has been widely criticised but Moreno said: "If he's on the list, it's because he can be a starter.

"Criticism against a player of the national team does not please us but we do not follow the criticism, his actions are where the decisions are made."

Spain squad to face the Faroe Islands and Sweden: De Gea (Manchester United), Kepa (Chelsea), Pau Lopez (Real Betis); Ramos, Carvajal (both Real Madrid), Llorente (Real Sociedad), Hermoso (Espanyol), Gaya (Valencia), Inigo Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Alba, Sergi Roberto (both Barcelona); Busquets (Barcelona), Navas (Sevilla), Cazorla (Villarreal), Parejo (Valencia), Rodri (Atletico Madrid), Fabian (Napoli); Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Isco, Asensio (both Real Madrid), Rodrigo (Valencia), Aspas (Celta Vigo), Morata (Atletico Madrid, on loan from Chelsea).

amp_article__359550 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-05-17 12:54:28:
html db last update - 2019-05-17 12:54:28 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Santi Cazorla

Click here for more stories about Spain

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .