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Spain boss challenges Alvaro Morata to win World Cup place with Chelsea displays

On target: Morata ended his goal drought at Leicester: Getty Images
On target: Morata ended his goal drought at Leicester: Getty Images

Spain manager Julen Lopetegui has challenged Alvaro Morata to produce his best form for Chelsea to land a World Cup spot.

The 25-year-old, who has made 39 appearances for the Blues this season, was left out of the most recent Spain squad last week after failing to score in 2018.

He responded by grabbing the opener in Chelsea's 2-1 FA Cup victory over Leicester on Sunday and has now been told he can win back an international place ahead of this summer's Russia finals.

"Of course Morata has a lot of possibilities to go to the World Cup and he knows it," Lopetegui told El Partidazo de COPE on Monday.

"He has to show these months the player he is inside."

Morata's ommision came as former Chelsea striker Diego Costa was handed his first call-up since June 2017 for friendlies against Germany and Argentina.