I'll be ruthless in picking World Cup squad - Del Bosque
MADRID (Reuters) - Spain coach Vicente del Bosque intends to be ruthless in selecting his World Cup squad and won't be swayed by affection for players who contributed to the nation's recent successes, he said on Saturday.
Del Bosque announced his squad for Wednesday's friendly against Italy on Friday, the last before he has to name a preliminary 30-man group for the finals in Brazil, and decorated forwards David Villa and Fernando Torres were notable absentees.
Fernando Llorente and Juan Mata, who took part in the triumphant 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 campaigns, were also omitted as Del Bosque opted to call up in-form strikers Alvaro Negredo and Brazil-born Diego Costa.
"The extraordinary generation of players that helped us become champions have a place in my heart," Del Bosque said in an interview with Spanish radio broadcaster Cadena Ser.
"But I also have to keep in mind that I need to be flexible and give those who can bring something to the team a chance," added the 63-year-old.
"I would be a poor national team coach if I didn't act in that way.
"I have a huge amount of affection for those who made us world champions but at the same time we have to look at those who are coming through."
Spain, chasing an unprecedented fourth consecutive major tournament triumph, play their opening Group B match against the Netherlands, who they beat in the 2010 World Cup final, in Salvador on June 13.
They then meet Chile in Rio de Janeiro on June 18 and Australia in Curitiba five days later.
(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Josh Reich)
