1.27 PM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Latest Chelsea transfer news: Torres, Mata out…

Published
By Football Correspondent with Agencies

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has omitted Chelsea forwards Fernando Torres and Juan Mata from his squad for next month's World Cup qualifier against Finland and a friendly with Chile.

Quizzed about why he had also left out Chelsea fullback Cesar Azpilicueta, Del Bosque said it was "a coincidence" and had nothing to do with Mourinho or the Portuguese's decisions.

The attacking pair were fixtures for the world and European champions as they swept to a World Cup triumph in South Africa in 2010 and victory at last year's European championship but are experiencing difficult times at the London club.

Torres, 29, remains a shadow of the player who struck fear into defences when he was at Liverpool, while the 25-year-old Mata appears to have lost his place in the Chelsea starting lineup under new coach Jose Mourinho.

Torres and Mata have continuously been linked with transfers to other clubs – Manchester United and Arsenal linked with Mata.

The Spain cold shoulder might well give Mourinho the reason he seeks to offload the two.
He now has Samuel Eto’o as well.

Del Bosque included forwards David Villa, Pedro, Roberto Soldado and Alvaro Negredo, as well as Negredo's Manchester City team mates David Silva and Jesus Navas as Spain seek to protect their one-point lead over France at the top of Group I.

Finland surprised Spain in their qualifier in Gijon in March, coming from behind to draw 1-1, before Del Bosque's men went on to beat France 1-0 in Paris to reclaim top spot.

"I have chosen the best, those that are in the best form, the right system, the right men, to compete and battle with these two teams," Del Bosque said at a news conference at the Spanish soccer federation's headquarters outside Madrid.

Spain play Finland in Helsinki on Sept. 6 and meet Chile in Geneva four days later.