Spain World Cup Squad Preview

Written by Tony Concannon Wednesday, 19 May 2010 18:24

World Cup Squad Previews

The Spain squad are the number one team in the world according to the world rankings, and few would argue with that. Not many teams will be able to cope with their one-touch, fast, fluid style of football in South Africa. It's pure quality. And it's a quality that makes them favourites to lift the World Cup this summer. Of course a lot depends on injury, as the 2008 European Champions will be eagerly awaiting the return to fitness of striker Fernando Torres, and midfield duo Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta. The key trio would almost certainly come in the top ten of best players in the world, so their full participation is vital for the Spanish crusade.

Spain have qualified for their ninth consecutive World Cup, but the furthest they have reached is the final four, way back in 1950. Flattering to deceive on the world stage on far too many occasions has been their main skill... until now. They qualified with ease, with eight wins and two draws. In fact, they were unbeaten in an astonishing 35 games until a 2-0 defeat to the USA in the semi-final of the Confederations Cup in June.

Coach Vincente del Bosque has named few surprises in his 30-man preliminary squad, sticking with the men who have been so successful over the past few years. There are three uncapped players in the initial squad, keepers Victor Valdes and David De Gea and midfielder-cum-striker Pedro. Valdes is finally called-up after a fine season with Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid's Gea, aged only 19, has impressed many. But with Villareal stopper Diego Lopez also named, only one will go as third choice, with Real Madrid's Iker Casillas and Liverpool's Pepe Reina first and second choice between the posts.

In front of whichever keeper is picked lies a strong back four. Real's Sergio Ramos likes to raid down the right side, and his team-mate Raul Albiol will battle it out with Barca duo Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol for the central defensive poisitions. Joan Capdevila of Villareal is usually at left-back. 

The midfield boasts the sublime passing skills of Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), the Barcelona trio of Xavi, Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, and of course the little magician Fabregas (an Arsenal player at the time of writing but possibly a Barcelona player by June 11). One player Barcelona have definitely signed for next season is David Villa, who possesses a wand of a left foot and no doubt a massive signing on fee. 

Barca's 22-year-old youth product Pedro has scored 22 goals in all competitions this campaign to force his way into Del Bosque's plans. He offers flexibility as can play in both midfield and attack along the right hand side.   

One other interesting selection is Sevilla winger Jesus Navas. He's had a great season in La Liga and has resurrected his career with the national team. Navas had earlier retired from international football because of travel anxiety attacks. However, there is no place for the country's record scorer Raul, whilst teenage whizz kids Bojan Krkic, of Barcelona, and Racing Santander's Sergio Canales will have to wait their turn.

All of Spain will be hoping Torres can recover from the knee surgery he underwent in April in time for the opening clash with Switzerland on 16 June. The prospect of Torres and David Villa, who will join Spanish champions Barca before the World Cup starts, is one to set the pulses racing. An experienced coach, a world-class keeper, a strong back-line, options in midfield, wingers on form and two of the best strikers in the world in attack. It looks like Spain could well reign in the South African plains.

All the betting odds on Spain winning the World Cup at a2bworldcup.com

**UPDATE**

Spain 23 player squad
 

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid),  Jose Manuel '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: Xabier 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 Manuel Mata (Valencia), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Barcelona)

On the Big Screen below we present a video montage of all 23 players in the Spain Squad

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Link to this video

Comments (5)

Paul Quinn said:

Just not punny enough for my tastes! What, no Spanish cries of 'let's paella the pressure on', or 'arm 'arda than you'? It seems that hardly a day goes by when I don't mourn a missed pun opportunity.

May 20, 2010

Dave said:

... He did use 'Spain could well reign in the South African plains' mixing both a pun and some poetry. You can't master his Dutch preview for puns however.

May 20, 2010

Paul Quinn said:

... He did, he did. I'm not denying his poetry (he can scan and everything), and I'll admit he also, ahem, resurrected Jesus's career. And it's certaily true that his Dutch review has double the number of puns I was expecting. All I'm saying is that I think he passed up a (Cortes's) golden opportunity to toss Espana in the works of respectable prose. The boy's got so much class it's coming out of his Fabregas.

May 20, 2010

Tony Concannon said:

... Ole boys, didn't realise such bad puns (or missed ones) would cause such a fuss... like a red rag to a bull for you guys

May 20, 2010

Paul Quinn said:

Ole! I get what you're saying, Tony, but it doesn't really matathough, does it?

May 21, 2010