This afternoon Vicente Del Bosque, as unflappable and stoney-faced as ever, sauntered out into the press room and rattled off his Spain squad for the World Cup in South Africa. 'There you have the best 23 available' he assured the reporters. When quizzed about those players left out he replied 'It is always best to decide with your head, but sometimes you can't help but be influenced by your heart'. It sure can't be easy. The unfortunate souls sacrificed from the pre-squad were David De Gea, Diego Lopez, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Senna, Santi Cazorla, Dani Güiza and Alvaro Negredo. Interestingly, the inclusions of Pedro and Victor Valdes are being labelled a 'surprise' in the press. After the seasons they've had I see their inclusions as obligatory. Perhaps the one big curveball thrown in by Vicente, it was the inclusion of Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez. A reward for his sensational season at the San Mames. Put simply, all the 'Mister' has done is what any Spanish fan would want him to do. Choose his squad on current form and not past glory. An all too common sin among national coaches.
It was this selection policy that inevitably put pay to the hopes of Cazorla, Negredo, Senna and Güiza. This season they've either been out with injury or out of form. Diego Lopez wasn't helped by the wealth of goalkeeping quality on offer. Just take a look at yesterdays hero, Andres Palop. Not even considered within the top 4 keepers. Oh what Fabio Capello would do for a Palop. Or a Diego Lopez or a De Gea. The Atletico shotstopper and Azpilicueta need not fear. Their time will come. If the manager has taken any risks, it was by including a whole host of unfit players, not that he had much choice. Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas are still to make returns from injury, whilst Andres Iniesta and Xavi are by no means firing on all cylinders. Any serious injury to that quartet of stars could be critical. Would Spain still be favourites without Xavi knitting things together in the middle? Or deprived of the presence of Torres upfront? Whatever happens before kick-off on 16th June, 23 of Spains finest will travel down to South Africa with the hopes of a nation and the expectations of the footballing world on their shoulders. After winning Euro 2008 it comes with the territory. The fun starts now.
Spain Squad for 2010 South Africa World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona)
Defenders: Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javier Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)
Forwards: Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Mata (Valencia), Pedro (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Barcelona)
Spain Squad for 2010 South Africa World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona)
Defenders: Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javier Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)
Forwards: Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Mata (Valencia), Pedro (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Barcelona)
I really wanted Danny Guiza to be in the squad, but I think he's been doing pretty poorly in Turkey, what are your thoughts on this?
ReplyDeleteGüiza is a strange one. I live right next to his hometown, Jerez, and whereas you'd think they'd be proud of what he's achieved up till now (Pichichi 2008, Euro 2008, big money moves), cause let's face it there aren't many famous Jerezanos out there setting the world alight, they seem to treat him with complete indifference. They tell me he's of those types that has come from an incredibly poor background only to morph into an arrogant, nasty piece of work as soon as the money has come flooding in. His parents still live in what closely resembles a shanty town.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, totally besides the point. Not going to lie, I havn't followed his progress closely in Turkey. But what I can say is that I read an article recently which stated how the Fenerbache fans unfurled a banner on the last day of the season pleading with the local police to 'capture and deliver Dani Güiza'. Scary. By all accounts they lost out on the league to a team that cost less in total then Dani Güiza on his own. The goals have dried up, confidence shot to pieces. Thus Del Bosque left him out in favour of Fernando Llorente who offers something different (ie. big target man). Guiza is a penalty box predator....Spain already have Villa and Torres for that.
I see, I guess that Spain isn't lacking in the penalty-box predators, but I always liked him, and it seemed like he was doing great and almost offered something different during the 2008 Euros.
ReplyDeleteThx for the thoughts!
He was awesome at Euro 2008 when he was sent on and on his day he's an awesome striker. In his defence it can't be easy to move to Turkey. Cheers for the comment ;)
ReplyDeleteI am really happy Del Bosque has included Valdes. He has had an incredible to two seasons since Guardiola came to Barca and definitely deserves his place. He is just extremely unlucky that he has Casillas as his rival, otherwise he would surely be number one.
ReplyDeleteAlso glad to see Pedro in the squad. He is a big game player unlike Negredo who missed a sitter in the Spanish cup final. In the world cup you need players who can keep cool in such situations and Pedro has demonstrated that time and time again with Barca this season.
Also glad for Martinez and Llorente, great to see two Atheltic players in the squad. It's a club I really admire.
Finally, I think Bojan and Reyes have hit form a little too late to force their ways into the squad but it just shows the quality Spain have as both these players would make most world cup squads.
Cant add anything there Jamie! Agree with every word.
ReplyDelete