What’s left to win?’ And I said: ‘Bloody hell, the game against England at Wembley on 26 September.’” It was a Friday afternoon at Las Rozas and Spain’s coach had just named his first squad since that day in New Jersey. It was a familiar one, full of history makers. Of the 26 from the World Cup, only four had been left out and there was an explanation for each: Marcos Llorente has announced his international retirement; Joan García is injured; Borja Iglesias, who always felt the likeliest to leave first, is not fully fit; and Gavi is suspended for Wembley, although he could have faced Croatia and Czechia.
Fermín López is back after missing the World Cup through injury and is joined in the squad by Josep Martínez, Dean Huijsen and Roberto Fernández. Pedro Porro then pulled out, replaced by Iván Fresneda. It is not even as if the season has been going long enough for anyone else to make a claim on a place, although there were three strong candidates for that spare striker’s role, Sergio Camello and Carlos Espí competing with Espanyol’s Fernández.
There certainly hadn’t been time for anyone to build a case stronger than those who came back from the US with the trophy. All the more so with De la Fuente, loyal to his players and making a virtue of continuity. Even the new face in the squad, the Inter goalkeeper Martínez, has been here before.
In fact, officially has a cap, from when Spain’s under-21s – managed by De la Fuente – stepped in for the senior side just before the pandemic-postponed Euros in the summer of 2021. And when he was questioned about Unai Simón potentially losing his status as No 1, he replied: “Unai was recognised as the best goalkeeper at the World Cup, he broke every record, etc. Maybe, just maybe, he has to be given some continuity.” Which is not to say there will not be changes of personnel at some point, the Spain coach says.
There are plenty of players “knocking at the door”, he explained, before saying it was up to them to walk through the door and into the house. For now, though, there is little new to say or to see, naturally enough. A status report on Spain as they arrive at Wembley could pretty much be reduced to four words: yep, still world champions.
They are still European champions too. Oh, and they have won the Nations League. At grounds around Spain, although not at the Camp Nou, which eight of the squad call home, supporters have paid homage to the champions.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
