Spain: La Selección World Cup squad analysis (23 for 2010)

With the official announcement of the 23-man squad, we are going to take a look and assess everyone that will be competing for Spain at the World Cup finals this summer. The squad has been fairly settled under Vicente del Bosque but there are a few surprises that will get their chance to shine on the biggest stage next month.

Goalkeepers

1. Iker Casillas

12. Víctor Valdés

23. Pepe Reina

If there’s one position nailed down it’s this one, with Iker Casillas carrying on as the number one goalkeeper, a position he has held down ever since taking over from Santiago Cañizares in 2002. He will be a vital part of the team, as not only is he vastly experienced now with over 100 caps (second in the all time list to the legendary Andoni Zubizarreta), he will also captain the team. Back-up to Casillas is likely to be Liverpool’s Pepe Reina, a longstanding member of the squad and yet another quality option in what is a very strong goalkeeping department.

Slightly more interesting was third choice spot and the discussion over the inclusion of Victor Valdés. He has yet to receive a cap for Spain (having only represented Catalonia internationally), but his form over the past few seasons for Barça simply could not be ignored.

Question marks have been raised over his aerial ability and often bizarre decision making, but he seems to have ironed them out of his game and, combined with his excellent shot stopping ability, has matured into a top class goalkeeper. He will finally get his chance to step in and take the place of previous back-ups Diego López and Andrés Palop.

Defenders

3. Gerard Piqué

4. Carlos Marchena

5. Carles Puyol

11. Joan Capdevila

15. Sergio Ramos

17. Álvaro Arbeloa

18. Raúl Albiol

The back four is very settled now starting with Sergio Ramos at right back. He has been first choice for club and country for some time now and looks set to hold the spot for many years to come. Then there is the pairing of Gerard Piqué and Carles Puyol who have been superb for the all-dominating Barça recently. Their ability and understanding that comes from playing regularly at club level will also be invaluable for Spain.It will be interesting to see Piqué in particular as he’ll be looking to solidify his status as one of the best defenders in the world after his rise over the last few years.

The final name making up the defence will most likely be Joan Capdevila; the attacking left footer will provide an important balance to the team and is always dangerous when going forward. Whilst Spain are lacking a bit in this position, Capdevila has always been a solid and consistent performer, so he fully deserves his place in the team.

That leaves us with the back-up players, who are all talented in their own right and so provide great options for Del Bosque should he require them. With the emergence of Gerard Piqué, Carlos Marchena will drop down to the bench.

A solid and experienced defender who, let’s not forget, played every game during their Euro 2008 run. The other option is Raúl Albiol, an excellent young defender who has been an ever-present in the Real Madrid side this season after his move from Valencia. Finally, we have Álvaro Arbeloa, naturally a right back but his versatility will be important as he can cover positions all across the back line.

Midfielders

6. Andrés Iniesta

8. Xavi

10. Cesc Fàbregas

13. Juan Mata

14. Xabi Alonso

16. Sergio Busquets

20. Javi Martínez

21. David Silva

22. Jesús Navas

Looking at the midfield it’s perhaps the strongest area of the team and probably the strongest of any national team in the world right now. The base of midfield will prove critical to Spain’s success; just as we saw back in 2008. That role was played by Marcos Senna, who has dropped out of favour under the current set-up after a disappointing season with Villarreal.

Likely to step up will be the pairing of Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets (depending on the formation). But it seems that del Bosque prefers to have two holding midfielders, and Busquets is well capable of performing a similar role to that of Senna in 2008, as shown by his performances since he broke through into the Barça first team under Pep Guardiola.

Slightly further forward midfield maestro Xavi is certain to start, having been in tremendous form this season and being instrumental for his team. Cesc Fàbregas should be back from injury to take his place in the squad, but unfortunately for him it’s likely that he will have to start off on the bench due to the quality of players in front of him and the fact that Xavi will get the nod in a five man midfield.

A slightly more surprising inclusion is Javi Martínez over Marcos Senna. The 21 year old box-to-box midfielder has been in great form for Athletic Bilbao this season and a key player in their team at such a young age. But with the decline of Senna the manager is looking to the future and the selection of Martínez is a wise one with him looking likely to be an important squad member for many years to come.

Onto the wide players. David Silva will be a key component on the wing as ever, as well as being effective when drifting inside and having the ability to link to up with David Villa. Then there is Andrés Iniesta, whose season has been disrupted by injury, but when he’s fit there aren’t many better than him. He will be as integral to Spain’s success as he has been for his club over the past few seasons.

The other two players making up the midfield are Juan Mata and Jesús Navas. Mata, a product of Real Madrid’s Castilla has risen through the national youth teams and recently made his way into the senior team. His move from Real Madrid to Valencia in 2007 has seen him blossom into the player many believed he had the potential to become.

Then we have Navas, the incredibly pacey Sevilla winger, who has also recently been given a chance by Del Bosque after his impressive domestic form. His well documented mental issues with anxiety and homesickness have perhaps got in the way of his international career in the past, but he has spoke about his desire to overcome these problems and remains confident he’ll be able to travel with Spain this summer.

Forwards

2. Pedro Rodríguez

7. David Villa

9. Fernando Torres

19. Fernando Llorente

First up we have the two key men for the attack, David Villa and Fernando Torres. Villa has been impressive yet again this season, reaching almost 30 goals for Valencia in all competitions. El Guaje, as he is affectionately known, will be looking to finish as the Golden Boot winner just as he did two years ago in Austria/Switzerland. It will also be his first chance to play alongside his new Barça teammates following his recent €40m switch from Valencia. Whilst there are doubts over Fernando Torres’ fitness, if he is available to play in time after his knee injury then he will be a definite starter upfront.

The other two names making up the attack are Pedro and Fernando Llorente. Athletic Bilbao hitman Llorente has scored an impressive 23 goals this season and will provide the Spanish with a different option from the bench with his height and more physical approach.

Then there is Pedro. The versatile Barcelona forward has been on fire this season, racking up 23 goals in all competitions and popping up with some vital goals –  including one against Real Madrid in the latest El Clásico. He will be one of three uncapped players joining up with the squad, but as with Víctor Valdés and Javi Martínez his inclusion is sure to please Spanish supporters.

So there we have our 23-man selection for the World Cup. There are just three friendlies to go before the tournament; games against Saudi Arabia and South Korea will be played during their Austrian training camp on May 29^th and June 3^rd, followed by the game back in Murcia against Poland. These games will provide a last chance to pick up some momentum ahead of the tournament and to allow important players to get in some much needed game time after injury.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Casillas, S.Ramos, Piqúe, Puyol, Capdevila, Busquets, X.Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Silva y Villa.

23 for 2010, Spain, Squad Analysis, World Cup 2010