It is understandable that Spain will carry the tag of favourites for this World Cup. The talent is obvious. They are the only country with all 26 of their players coming from Europe’s five elite leagues, and, boldly, that is without a single representative from Real Madrid.
Well, if we do not now count Marc Cucurella, that is. Truth be told, the original intro to this piece on Spain focused on how the 27-year-old epitomised their locked-in mentality, because Chelsea’s left back had told his representatives not to burden him with club news while away with his country.
Cucurella himself had said so in interviews from the United States – then the news broke last night that Chelsea had agreed a £52million deal with Madrid alongside their player’s blessing.
Goes to show you should never truly trust what a footballer says. Nevertheless, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente will be glad Cucurella’s future has been arranged before they have kicked a ball, as he is a coach who values concentration more than most.
According to De la Fuente, who led Spain to European Championship glory two years ago, he wants no ‘selfishness’ and no ‘egos’ in his camp. He added in an interview with The Guardian there is one area in which he can see similarities between his squad and the Spain class of 2010 who were crowned world champions two years after conquering Europe, and that is in the ‘togetherness’. He has spoken privately with Vicente del Bosque, who was Spain’s manager back then, to be sure. There is the same ‘family’ feel between the players.
As in any family, brothers can roughhouse, so when Gavi stomped on Rodri’s foot in training last week and it was caught on camera, there was some concern. Both De la Fuente and Rodri have since insisted publicly all is well. If anything, it shows the intensity of their sessions.
Spain head into the the World Cup as favourites after their triumph in the EUROs two summers ago
Manager Luis De la Fuente wants ‘no egos’ and ‘no selfishness’ in his side
Spain staged that open session last weekend, inviting the local community to come see them in action at the Baylor School Soccer Complex. Since then, though, they have only worked in secret and will continue to do so. Not out of fear of another Gavi foul being filmed. Rather they are now fully in focus mode.
Sean McDaniel, FIFA’s team services venue officer who has been personally looking after the Spanish national team during their stay in the Tennessee city of Chattanooga, explained when asked on any additional open sessions: ‘I wish there were, but Spain are here to work, and here to win the World Cup.’
Which is fair enough, even if the locals would like to see more of Spain’s 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal up close. The teenager is possibly the best player on the planet – certainly for his age – though has not played since April when he scored for Barcelona against Celta Vigo and tore his hamstring.
However, the noise coming out of the Spanish set-up is that he has been passing his internal fitness tests. He has trained with his team-mates, which is one almighty checkmark, and the same goes for Nico Williams, the 23-year-old of Athletic Bilbao who was likewise carrying a hamstring injury when named in this World Cup squad.
Yamal and Williams were each named in the Euro 2024 team of the tournament won by Spain. They are expected to be eligible to face Cape Verde on Monday, though De la Fuente may decide he need not risk them in such a kind opener.
The timings of Spain’s returns from injuries have been opportune, much like the draw itself. Their group seems straightforward: Cape Verde, then Saudi Arabia, then Uruguay.
Their first two fixtures will even take place at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and according to FIFA officials, the retractable roof above this air-conned arena will remain closed. Finish top of Group H and Spain would face the side that finishes second in Group J, which includes Argentina, Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
Only twice before have the European Championship winners gone on to lift the World Cup two years later – Spain in 2008 and 2010, and West Germany in 1972 and 1974
The Spaniards boast some of Europe’s most exciting talents – including Lamine Yamal and Niko Williams
Yamal has been sidelined with a hamstring tear, but looks set to feature in his country’s opener against Cape Verde on Monday
Only twice before have the European Championship winners gone on to lift the World Cup two years later – Spain in 2008 and 2010, and West Germany in 1972 and 1974 – so it can be hard to translate success in Europe to the world stage.
Yet Spain are justified favourites here. The competition runs right through the team. If De la Fuente uses Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon in goal as usual, for example, that leaves David Raya, the Premier League winner of Arsenal, and Joan Garcia, the La Liga champion of Barcelona, watching from the sidelines.
Pau Cubarsi may be a young centre back at 19, but he would have an experienced partner in Aymeric Laporte, 32. In midfield, there is an embarrassment of riches, with Pedri, Gavi, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi and more to choose from.
Then there is Yamal and Williams, each delivering electricity either side of Mikel Oyarzabal, the 29-year-old striker from Real Sociedad who scored the winner in the Euro 2024 final against England and was their joint-top scorer in qualifying alongside fit-again Mikel Merino of Arsenal.
It is a magnificent mix with their average age – 26 years and change – making them the sixth youngest on show. Perhaps one weakness is in penalties – Spain have lost four World Cup shootouts, more than any other nation – but with the talent and confidence coursing through this camp, De la Fuente will hope they never need to rely on such a 12-yard lottery. They did not have to come through any shootouts to triumph at Euro 2024, after all.
Before becoming Spain’s manager, De la Fuente spent around a decade coaching the national team’s junior sides. He also taught on the Spanish football federation’s UEFA Pro Licence course at the same time, ‘team building’ being one of the specialist subjects of his lessons.
Lionel Scaloni, the Argentina manager who will have something to say about who wins this World Cup, was a student in his classroom. As were Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, Raul, Victor Valdes, among others.
So he is the coach who has coached the coaches, and while not the sexiest name they could have chosen in 2022, De la Fuente earned his appointment as Spain’s manager in his own way. First, he conquered Europe. Now, he wants the world.
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