Asenjo not included in 50-man Spain squad, but Rodri earns first callup

Villarreal fans are seething after Spanish coach Julien Lopetegui didn’t include Sergio Asenjo in his ‘pre-list’ of 50 players called up before this summer’s World Cup.

Instead, Real Betis keeper Adan, who has been, according to Whoscored, average at best (6.51 rating), has been preferred to Asenjo (6.83) or even Espanyol’s Pau Lopez (6.81). (The only Spanish keeper currently playing in La Liga with a higher rating that Asenjo, Bilbao’s Kepa (6.89) is included).

Rodrigo Hernandez has been called up for friendlies against Germany and Argentina later this month, his first callup after playing in the under-19 and under-21 side.

Pablo Fornals is in the U-21 side to play Northern Ireland and Estonia (part of the qualifications for the 2019 U-21 European championship). So too is Aleix Garcia, ex-amarillo.

Other Submarine players who will be active over the coming international break are Enes Unal, Antonio Rukavina, Denis Cheryshev, and Salem. How could we forget.