After the announcement of the 26 selected by Luis de la Fuente for the World Cup will be the starting signal for the debates that will be carried out by the other almost 50 million selectors what’s in Spain. Some miss Huijsen, Le Normand, Aleix García, Fornals or Moleiro; while others have plenty of Baena, it seems to them that there are many from Barça, they do not understand that no one from Madrid is going and they clamor for Carlos Espí or Toni Martínez. Logical debates that surround any call for a major tournament and that this time will also point towards the goal, since, with Alex Remiro off the list, the question now is whether Unai Simon is it still untouchable or if David Raya and Joan Garcia They have options to be starters.
The most Royal call in Spain: “This is the list of an entire country”
A very painful discard
De la Fuente has reiterated on many occasions that the most “disgusting” Being a coach means leaving out players who, due to conditions, also deserve to be in the squad. It is evident that not all of them fit, but there are discards that hurt more than others and one of them is that of Alex Remiro. He was the only player on the Euro Cup roster who did not play a minute, but his role in Germany was decisive for the group. He is an exceptional teammate and a very loved player in the locker room, but this time he does not fit among the 26. “It is the ugliest part of this job. Leaving out players who are professionally and humanly qualified to be part of this group and who have been part of it for a long time”explained De la Fuente.
I told Remiro that he was not going to be with us and he understood it perfectly
The importance of the Real goalkeeper and the affection that the coach feels for him are the reasons that have led Riojan to have a conversation with Remiro before the list: “I have spoken with him, but I am not going to say what I have told him. I told him that he was not going to be with us and he understood it perfectly. He is a footballer fully integrated into our mentality and our family. He has accepted it perfectly and that is the strength of this group“explained the coach.
A debate that “scares” De la Fuente
Once confirmed the presence of Unai Simón, David Raya and Joan Garcíathe debate now focuses on who will be the starting goalkeeper in the World Cup. Even though It would be surprising if Unai Simón lost his untouchable statusthe emergence of Joan García generated many questions from the press. And that is something that the coach understands. But what you don’t quite understand is that David Raya (Premier champion and Champions League finalist) does not enter the pools of many: “Why don’t we talk about David Raya? It’s just tremendous. I stay scared. We only talk about Unai and Joan. Let’s talk about David Raya. I am very calm. Look at the three goalkeepers we have… They are the best in the world. The debate will be what it will be, but we will surely get it right, I am very calm“De la Fuente reaffirmed.
Why don’t we talk about David Raya? It’s just tremendous. I stay scared. We only talk about Unai and Joan…
For the coach, goal is one of the best covered positions in the national team. In addition to the three summoned, the pre-list also included Remiro, Robert Sánchez and Leo Román, who will be part of the support group until the friendly against Iraq on June 4 in Riazor. “It has been a very mature, analyzed list. We have been thinking about the list for months. We have the best goalkeepers in the world and the one who would have been there was a total guarantee and could have played as a starter. We have three goalkeepers of solvency and quality“De la Fuente reflected.
Zero pressure
Joan Garcia He finished the season like Zamora, Stripe He is the best goalkeeper in the Premier and Unai He hasn’t had his best year, but he has never failed with the national team. Iraq and Peru They will be the last tests before the debut against Cape Verde on June 15. These are the last opportunities for the coaching staff to test, adjust and decide who will be the team’s starting goalkeeper in the World Cup. A blessed problem that does not seem to worry the coach: “I respect your evaluations, but no pressure. “With the goalkeeper we are going to assess the goalkeeper that suits us best.”
Unai Simón surrenders to Joan García: “He is the goalkeeper who is closest to Courtois”
If there is one thing clear, it is that the group is united and the protagonists of the debate will respect the decision made. During the March break, Unai Simón did not hesitate to praise his teammates in an interview on COPE: “I’m not doing things badly and Joan is doing them very well. My top 3 in the League are Courtois, Joan García and Oblak. In the world they are Courtois, Joan García and Raya“he confessed.
Same debate; same ending?
A debate that takes us to 2010, when we were world champions and Victor Valdes He broke in after an outstanding season, but without taking the starting job from Boxeswho would end up being in charge of raising the cup in Johannesburg.