Qatar 2022 World Cup Guide

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is keen to earn a recall to the Spain national side under new boss Luis Enrique. La Roja endured a shock round of 16 defeat to Russia which ended their hopes of another World Cup crown and their FA have since decided appointed Enrique as the successor to Fernando Hierro.

Speaking to reporters, Mata admitted that he now has the opportunity to return to the Spain fold after failing to make a single appearance for the national team over the past 18 months, he said: “I will do everything in my power to return to the national team. I hope the new coach will count on me because I'm going to do everything possible to go back.

Spain international Andres Iniesta has stressed that his teammates are in the perfect frame of mind despite the speculation in the media. La Roja sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui just one day before the World Cup after he secretly agreed to the Real Madrid job and there has since been talk of unrest between Barcelona and Madrid-based players in the Spain camp.

However, Iniesta has refuted the claim and insists the players remain united in the quest to win the World Cup. He said: “I have my own opinion, but the really important thing is that we have always been a united team. Most of us have been playing together for many years and we know each other well and we trust each other blindly. We only care about sporting matters and we want to keep playing as one. It was a difficult situation but it's in the past now and we only want to concentrate on the World Cup. Players always want to achieve the highest possible titles and we would like to win the World Cup again.”

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes Alvaro Morata could pursue a fresh challenge away from Chelsea when the transfer window reopens in the summer. The Spain international only joined the Blues in a club-record deal from Real Madrid last year but he has struggled to adapt to the pace of the English game.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson feels Chelsea could consider an approach for a new marksman in the summer with Morata linked with a possible return to Turin next term, he said: “We talk about confidence, and he’s lost his - I cannot see him being there next season.There’s talk today about him going to Juventus, I think that ticks the boxes. I just don’t see him being at Chelsea.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly dismissed the ongoing speculation of Andres Iniesta signing for the club in the summer. The Spain international recently announced his decision to leave Barcelona at the end of the campaignand he has since been linked with a whole host of clubs including City.

However, Guardiola has distanced himself from the gossip by saying: "I think when Andres decided to move on from Barcelona it was not to come to Manchester. It’s another way to decide to make the last years of his career, in another place, for many, many reasons.But if he wanted to compete still at a high level, he [would have stayed] in Barcelona.We can’t offer him what he had in Barcelona, here. He decided for other reasons, not just football terms."

Spain international Marcos Alonso believes Chelsea have not had the luck or consistency to defend the Premier League title this season. The Blues succumbed to a 3-1 Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, and this sees them requiring a minor miracle in order to secure a top-four finish to the Premier League season.

Speaking on the club’s official website, Alonso said: “I think we aren’t having the same luck as last year. Also, other teams have improved and maybe we don’t have the consistency we had last year. I think we aren’t having the same luck as last year. Also, other teams have improved and maybe we don’t have the consistency we had last year.”

With the World Cup just a month away, there is no doubt that the preparations for each of the 32 countries that will be taking part have intensified. For the men who are in charge of this select group of nations, soon they will have arguably their toughest task to date.

That, of course, being the decision as to who will be named in each of their respective 23 man squads. One of those men at the helm is England manager Gareth Southgate, someone who also will be in charge in a major international tournament for the first time.

Chelsea wingback Marcos Alonso has revealed that Alvaro Morata was not pleased after he was omitted from the Spain squad for their upcoming international friendlies against Germany and Argentina. The 25-year-old went through a tough period with the Blues owing to injuries and a loss of form, and this eventually hampered his chances of making Julen Lopetegui’s squad.

Speaking in a press conference, Alonso admitted that his compatriot was not impressed by the decision, but he is hopeful that the striker can turn it around with a rich vein of form for Chelsea in the tail-end of the season. Meanwhile, discussing about his maiden call-up to La Roja, Alonso stressed that he was never distracted by the international prospects, and it came as a pleasant surprise after he earned his due rewards.

Former Chelsea midfielder Glenn Hoddle was not impressed with the attitude of Alvaro Morata in the lead-up to the Barcelona game on Tuesday night. The Spain international came on a late substitute during the 1-1 Champions League draw, but was unable to influence the game.

Speaking on BT Sport, Hoddle appeared to criticise the former Real Madrid man after he showed a sense of disappointment during the warm-up session leading to the clash, he said: "Yeah, his attitude wasn’t great walking out [to the warm-up]. Giroud’s was alright, to be fair to him. ‘One of them would have thought they would be starting today."

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte talked up the potential of Alvaro Morata ahead of the Blues' FA Cup outing versus Norwich City. The Spain international joined the Premier League holders from Real Madrid earlier in the summer, and he has since established himself as the first-choice striker.

Speaking in his press conference, Conte highlighted the achievement of the two-time Champions League winner whilst insisting that the Spaniard has more room to improve as he progress further in his professional career, he said: "Morata scored 12 goals this season and made seven assists. Until now, the stats are good. Don’t forget he’s young, only 25, and it’s the first season he’s playing regularly. He has a lot of space for improvement, we are talking about one of the strikers that can become one of the best players in the world."

The 2018 World Cup in Russia is set to finally kick off on June 14, as the globe's best nations and players prepare to do battle for the biggest prize there is on offer in football.

With so many star-studded squads ready to depart for the finals in Russia this coming summer, the home fans throughout the country will be treated to a host of big names and high-profile players representing their respective nations.

So, ahead of the highly awaited World Cup on Russian soil, here are the top four football stars to look out for in the latest international tournament...