Alvaro Morata was unhappy to be omitted from the latest Spain squad, according to Chelsea team-mate Marcos Alonso.
The 25-year-old’s dip in form, combined with a back injury, saw Antonio Conte experiment with Eden Hazard as a false nine and use January arrival Olivier Giroud in place of Chelsea’s record signing.
Alonso admits it has been a tough time for his compatriot but he is confident the former Real Madrid man, who was overlooked by Julen Lopetegui for this month’s friendly matches, will enjoy a strong end to the season.
“Alvaro wasn’t happy,” Alonso told a news conference. “He’s gone through a couple of difficult months because of a back problem. He’s at 100% now, he got back to scoring the other day…
“I hope he helps us at the end of the season. He’s really important and I hope he’s at the World Cup.”
Alonso could earn his first senior Spain cap in Friday’s friendly with Germany, having earned a spot in Lopetegui’s squad thanks to his form for Chelsea.