SPAIN WORLD CUP SQUAD 2010 - Victor Valdes and Pedro are in

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)