World Cup squad news
Torres set for summer in Brazil
WORLD champions Spain have named Chelsea’s struggling £50m striker Fernando Torres in their provisional 30-man World Cup squad, but Tottenham’s Roberto Soldado has been overlooked. Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa, part of the team that won 2010 tournament in South Africa, has been omitted.
Nasri and Clichy omitted by France
FRESH from helping Manchester City clinch the Premier League title, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy have been left out of France’s squad to travel to Brazil this summer. Nine of Didier Deschamps 23-man squad play their football in England, including Arsenal trio Laurent Koscielny, Bacary Sagna and Olivier Giroud.
Belgium make quick call to Januzaj
UNCAPPED Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj has been immediately rewarded for pledging allegiance to Belgium by being named in their 2014 World Cup party. The 19-year-old could have played for Kosovo, Albania, Turkey or Serbia, with England a potential future option due to residency.
Van Gaal names young cup squad
MANCHESTER United’s would-be new manager Louis van Gaal has named a youthful provisional squad to take to Brazil, with 17 of his 30-man party under the age of 26. Memphis Depay and Jeremy Lens are yet to play at a World Cup, but experienced heads Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder are included. though.