Spain boss Luis Enrique to drop David de Gea after latest blunder and hand Kepa No.1 shirt

Spain boss Luis Enrique to drop David de Gea after latest blunder and hand Kepa No.1 shirt

Luis Enrique has told David de Gea he can no longer guarantee him the No.1 shirt for Spain as he prepares to start Kepa Arrizabalaga on Sunday, according to reports.

While De Gea has been incredible for Manchester United in recent seasons, his form for the national team has been sketchy and he was widely criticised in his homeland during a disappointing World Cup.

Those concerns returned in Thursday's defeat when De Gea parried the ball into the path of Tin Jedvaj as Croatia sealed a 3-2 victory.

Spain boss Luis Enrique to drop David de Gea after latest blunder and hand Kepa No.1 shirt

It marks the second competitive match in succession that De Gea has conceded three goals for La Roja, and he is now conceding twice as often for country as he does for his club.

Now Spanish newspaper AS report that Enrique has told De Gea he no longer has his unwavering support and he will give Chelsea record signing Kepa the chance to impress against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

There have been question marks over De Gea since the World Cup, when he failed to save an effort from Cristiano Ronaldo.

But his teammates were quick to defend him after the Croatia game, highlighting the telling saves he made to deny Ivan Perisic and Ante Rebic despite conceding three times.

Spain boss Luis Enrique to drop David de Gea after latest blunder and hand Kepa No.1 shirt

Kepa is set to land just his third cap for Spain (Picture: Getty)

'David has not been the culprit of the defeat,' said Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets in defence of his keeper after the game.

Nevertheless, Kepa is expected to start in Las Palmas against Bosnia on Sunday and could put serious pressure on the No.1 jersey if he impresses.

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