Chelsea's Alvaro Morata dropped from Spain squad following Blues drought

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has been left out of the Spain squad for this month's friendlies against Germany and Argentina.

The 25-year-old has not scored for Chelsea in 2018 and started the Blues' last three matches on the bench.

Spain face Germany in Dusseldorf on March 23 and Argentina four days later at Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano stadium.

Morata's club colleagues Cesar Azpilicueta and uncapped Marcos Alonso have been named in Julen Lopetegui's 24-man squad for the two matches, while former Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been recalled.

There remains no place for Cesc Fabregas, who has not made an appearance since Lopetegui replaced Vincente del Bosque, though he remains hopeful of making the squad for the World Cup.

"I am not a player who throws the towel. I have a small hope, in some way, but I know it is hard [to get called up for the World Cup]," he told Goal on Tuesday. "I haven't received any calls or been included in any team list for all this time.

"Anyway, I don't think about it because I keep my focus on performing here [at Chelsea], but maybe it wouldn't be strange to call someone who first came into the team 15 years ago. It is obvious that they already know me but it would be nice to get in.”

Additional reporting by the Press Association.