Koke is seen as Spain's successor to Xavi in the midfield.

“I like playing in both of our systems (4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3). I still have lots of progression but I play as a central midfielder here and I like it. I’m comfortable in two positions.”

“I don’t add pressure to myself with that tag," said Koke of comparisons to Xavi. "I want to bring everything that I do with my club to the national team with Spain.”

Vicente del Bosque believes Spain is not in need of a major overhaul to turnaround their performance from the World Cup ahead of Euro 2016.

He told Perform: “Despite our defeat in Brazil I believe we don’t have to change many things to proceed. I do believe we’ll be closer to winning future tournaments.  

“When we first arrived, seven years ago, we already found a great generation with a brilliant future. We were very lucky to live this with them, having the chance of winning one World Cup and another Euros.

“On the other hand we experienced as well the taste of defeat six months ago.  To reach all this success many factors occur. Now when we have lost I have the feeling we haven’t done many different things as we did before.  But it is very difficult to keep these kind of good results forever.”

Xavi and Xabi Alonso have retired from international play and Spain is ushering in younger players.

He added: “We have done a few changes little by little as we did following our victories. We have noticed that these players [the youngsters coming in] are used to winning because they have done so since they were young in other age categories.”

Celta Vigo winger Nolito, Juventus striker Álvaro Morata and Malaga defender Ignacio Camacho have been called up for Spain's matches this month against Belarus in a qualifier and against Germany in a friendly.

Diego Costa has been left off the roster to help him recover from his recent injuries.

“I have spoken to our doctors and those of Chelsea and I have decided to leave him out due to the situation with his pubis (pelvis),” Del Bosque told a news conference on Friday.

“He may be able to play (in) Chelsea’s next game against Liverpool (on Saturday) but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have some type of injury problem.”

Del Bosque added: “We have reached a decision with Chelsea’s medical staff that we will take a break due to his groin issues. It has nothing to do with whether he later plays for his club. He always wants to come with us, but we have spoken and this is the best for his health.”

Saido Berahino of West Bromwich Albion has been given his first call-up to England for their 2016 Euro qualifier against Slovenia.

The 21-year-old striker has scored eight times for West Brom this season, seven of them coming in the Premier League.

Berahino has a remarkable personal story, having fled civil war-torn Burundi to take asylum in England. His father died in the fighting. He spoke no English when he arrived at the age of 10 but his footballing ability helped him to make friends and integrate.