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Spain boss Julen Lopetegui surprisingly left Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta out his squad for their friendly games at home to Costa Rica on Saturday and away to Russia next Tuesday.

The Chelsea vice-captain usually gets called up for national team duties, but has been axed from the ever competitive Spanish squad.

However, the 28-year-old still believes that if he continues to churn out good performances for Chelsea, he can make the Spain squad for the World Cup in Russia next year.

He said: “I haven’t had any news. There is a lot of competition for places in Spain. I know my job is to do the best I can. My aim is to be at the World Cup and I have to keep working hard.

“Last year, I played in the same position for my club and I was in the squad. We even sometimes play like that with the national team. But I’m not going to think about the circumstances, I’m going to do my work with Chelsea.

“There is time before the World Cup, and I’m going to wait for the call from the national team coach.”

Only Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata made the cut out of Chelsea’s Spain contingent that includes Pedro, Marcos Alonso and Cesc Fabregas.