Lopetegui: This squad is the one which can help us the most in the World Cup Spain Alvaro Morata misses out on 23-man selection

After much speculation, Spain's team for the 2018 World Cup in Russia has been officially announced with Julen Lopetegui claiming he's picked the players who can help the team the most.

Eyebrows were raised as the omissions of Alvaro Morata, Marcos Alonso and Vitolo, however their less than spectacular domestic campaigns have counted against them in the eyes of the former Porto coach.

"This is the squad which we believe will help us the most in the World Cup," he explained in his press-conference.

"I want to make clear my appreciation for the players who've been important in qualification but haven't been chosen today, it's so bitter for them, they deserve to be here but aren't.

"We couldn't select everyone, there are those like Morata, Vitolo, Bartra and Illarramendi but we had to submit a list of a certain size."

Antonio Conte's relationship with Morata in the second half of the Premier League season has reportedly been fractious, it's difficult to understand just quite how the former Real Madrid forward's performances dipped so dramatically, but Lopetegui felt he was left with no option but to leave him out.

"I've spoken to those who aren't joining us, but I won't talk about them specifically," he admitted.

"I prefer to discuss those who are in the squad, we felt there were other forwards who could help us.

"With regards to him [Morata], it's true he had a challenging end to the season."

One of the legacies of the former under-21 coach's time in charge of the senior team will be an openness to pick players based on their own domestic form.

We've seen David Villa earn a recall in the past courtesy of his goal-scoring exploits with New York City Football Club in the MLS, and his selection for the Russian showpiece is no different.

Rodrigo Moreno, Iago Aspas and Diego Costa have all excelled in LaLiga this season, especially the former names, and they've thoroughly earned their spot despite few giving either a chance at the beginning of the season.

"The three forwards all offer different things," he confirmed.

"Aspas has the ability to play wide and cut inside, whilst Rodrigo can also adapt to that area.

"Diego gives us a central point of reference and is both competitive and aggressive, he also creates space."