Spain snub for Premier League pair

Chelsea striker Diego Costa and Manchester United winger Juan Mata have both been omitted from Spain’s provisional squad for Euro 2016.

La Roja boss Vicente del Bosque has named a 25-man squad, that will be cut to 23 by May 31, but there is no place for Costa or Mata.

Costa’s absence is perhaps not such a great surprise, his struggles at Chelsea and various on-pitch indiscretions this season have been noted by the media and fans in Spain and he was not included in the squad for the friendly games against Italy and Romania in March.

The former Atletico Madrid man, who was born in Brazil but opted to represent Spain, has managed just one goal in 10 appearances for his adopted nation. Costa’s place has essentially gone to Aritz Aduriz, 35, of Athletic Bilbao as the most like-for-like option among Del Bosque’s five forwards.

Chelsea man Pedro has been selected, alongside Alvaro Morata of Juventus, in-form Celta Vigo man Nolito and Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez.

Former Liverpool star Fernando Torres is another big name to be overlooked, despite his fine performances and crucial goals for Atletico in the latter half of the campaign.

Mata was a member of Spain’s successful squads at the 2010 World Cup and at Euro 2012 and his absence comes as more of a shock, despite the wealth of talent at Del Bosque’s disposal in midfield. The United star was involved in March’s friendly clashes but the likes of David Silva, Koke and Isco have been preferred by the Spain coach.

Del Bosque has selected three goalkeepers and seven defenders in his initial roster, meaning the two players who miss out are likely to come from the pools of midfielders and forwards. The two-time defending champions are priced at 6.50 to win Euro 2016 outright or 7.00 to go out in the group stages, as they did at the World Cup in 2014.

Spain Provisional Squad Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Porto), David De Gea (Manchester United), Sergio Rico (Sevilla) Defenders: Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra (all Barcelona), Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal (both Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid) Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta (both Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao), Koke, Saul Niguez (both Atletico Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Isco (Real Madrid), Bruno Soriano (Villarreal) Forwards: Pedro Rodriguez (Chelsea), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao), Nolito (Celta Vigo), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid)