The future of Spain

Goal.com posted an article about the possible dynasty that Spain could have as a result of the fact that La Roja's currents stars are not old at all and could very realistically be a real powerful force in Brazil 2014, and about how the abundance of talent that Spain have can still become future stars. They didn't feature too many players as up and comers and you really don't have to, seeing as how again, the current stars are not nearly past their prime. It's an interesting thought however, given Spain's vast wealth in footballers nowadays so for kicks, in about an hour of research I decided to compile the best 23-man squad of Spanish players to have never featured for a single cap for the senior National Team, along with a possible best XI. I did this just to give a perspective at the awesome depth that this country is currently blessed with. The players' current age is also included.

BTW: This is only for perspective. I know this squad cannot possibly win a WC, and I'm not even saying that most of these guys can make the senior squad in two years time but I just think it's interesting that not one of these guys have a single cap yet they can make a decent team. Also, I only selected 1 GK. So, here they are:(4-3-3)

----------------------------------------De Gea (21)-----------------------------------------
Montoya (21)-------------Amat (20)------------------Muniesa (20)---------------Didac (23)-

-------------------------------------Oriol Romeu (20)---------------------------------------

--------------------Canales (21)------------------------S.Roberto (20)----------------------

----Cuenca (21)----------------------Callejon (25)------------------------------Tello (20)

And the bench:

Forwards:
Deulofeu (18)
Morata (19)
Pedro Leon (25)

Midfielders:
Rafinha (19)
Granero (25)
Itturaspe (23)
Sarabia (22)
Ander Herrera (22)

Defenders:
Azpilicueta (22)
Fontas (22)
Bartra (21)
Dani Carvajal (20)

So please, discuss.

EDIT: Here's even more:

Joselu (20)
Ruben Castro (31)
Juanmi (19) (not Jose's twin but the Malaga player and Spain U-19 Captain)

No Joselu? He's legit imo.

In any case that team isn't bad at all.

Zealous wrote:No Joselu? He's legit imo.

In any case that team isn't bad at all.

Thats the thing. There's plenty more names which like others aren't guaranteed to be stars, but theyre still known. A real fountain of talent.

I'd add Betis's Ruben Castro as well since I think I'm right in saying he hasn't featured for Spain.

18 year old Suso Fernandez from Liverpool certainly has to be considered.

Messiah "Aggerswagger" wrote:18 year old Suso Fernandez from Liverpool certainly has to be considered.

I havent seen much, or even any of him but would Dani Pacheco get a nod as well?

Alba is the same age as Didac so why is he not included?
Ramos and Pique will be around for a very long time.
Callejon is not good enough to be a starter for Spain.
I fear for Spain if Cuenca and Tello are going to be their wingers,in any case Mata is still young and you have Sarabia and Deulofeu coming up.

Montoya
Romeu
Segi Roberto
Tello ;lol:
Cuenca

That first team

EarlyPrototype wrote:Alba is the same age as Didac so why is he not included?
Ramos and Pique will be around for a very long time.
Callejon is not good enough to be a starter for Spain.
I fear for Spain if Cuenca and Tello are going to be their wingers,in any case Mata is still young and you have Sarabia and Deulofeu coming up.

The list is only comprised of players to have never featured for the Spain NT. Otherwise I agree, the list would be insane.

It really depends for me on how you define future.

The three players who need to be replace soon are Xavi, Xabi (maybe not) , Arbeloa and we're always in need of a new striker.

So in the immediate future post these players

Apzi----Pique----Ramos---Alba
-------------Busquets---------
------Martinez---------Iniesta---
--Mata----------------------Pedro
------------Rodrigo(I suppose)---

In VDB"s double pivot dream

--------Javi-------Busquets---------
Mata/Silva---Ander/Isco/Canales/-----Iniesta
---------------Rodrigo--------------------

I don't know if it makes sense to go further than that, Inesta will need replacing some years from now, Isco or Munain to me are the ones who look most llkely so far, but Sarabia to me is closest in playing style.

As for Players who have never (and may never feature for us)

Apzi/Carjaval/Montoya-------Amat/Botia--------Ignio Martinez/Derik/Muniesa--------Grimaldo()
-----------------Camacho/Romeu/Samper(he plays deep but isn't a DM)/Iturraspe/
-----Thiago/Alex()/Sergi/Koke/Jose Rodriguez/Ruben Pardo-----------------Isco/Munain/Sarabia
-----------------------Ander/Canales/Isco()--------------------
-------Defoleu/Jese------------------------------------------------
--------------------------Mortata/Juanmi/Alcacer/Rodrigo/Adrian/Jose Angel Pozo ()-----------

Could Put more lol, but it's getting clustered.

People missed out because they didn't have a real position here

Alcacer, Muniain, Jese, Rafinha etc.

That midfield is quite a few levels below Xaviesta. They would never be able to dominate like they do now. When Xavi and Xabi retire, they will have some serious issues replacing them.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:That midfield is quite a few levels below Xaviesta. They would never be able to dominate like they do now. When Xavi and Xabi retire, they will have some serious issues replacing them.

To be fair, he put down the players he knows about, there are other better ones out there.

Ruben Pardo is a beast. This kid has serious potential.

Le Samourai wrote:Montoya
Romeu
Segi Roberto
Tello ;lol:
Cuenca

That first team

Why is Montoya in that list? The kid is legit.

Montoya is fine....but he's not No 1.

He will be after a few more seasons.

Canales needs to have an injury free season with Valencia now. That'll put him on the map big time. He's very talented.

Le Samourai wrote:

kiranr wrote:
He will be after a few more seasons behind Alves on the bench?

He has too much potential to be on the bench over the next few seasons. He will make it to the first team. And he will be Spain's no: 1 RB too.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:That midfield is quite a few levels below Xaviesta. They would never be able to dominate like they do now. When Xavi and Xabi retire, they will have some serious issues replacing them.

It is but again, these are just players with no caps, who I agree, may never reach anywhere near that level. May being the key word. However as far as a more realistic squad in 2 years, Iniesta will still be around for some years after Xavi, and so might Xabi. And even after that Xabiesta can still play alongside guys like Cesc, Thiago, Busquets, etc. and help them progress and improve, much how Xavi and Iniesta really helped one another improve. The chemistry still has time to get better as well seeing as how they all play together regularly.

But one thing we can but might not want to agree on is that may never see Xaviesta again, like we may never see Messi again.(of course I mean this in the long term.)

Carjaval will be there for 10 years man

Well the obvious players the future lies in are the likes of Thiago, Isco, Muniain and Busquets... all very young but will definitely get their chances (or in Busquets you have a guy who could play around 150 caps or so...

Alejandro Grimaldo, at 16, is the best fullback I've ever seen at such a young age... the kid is a freak and has already proven himself against men.

The U19s trio of Gerard, Paco and Juanmi are also very legit talents... you can catch them at the U19 Euros.

By the next Euros... Could be something like this:


Contininuing to troll us with no striker

This thread has a Disturbing lack of Juan Mata.

He is the under-23 Captain. He is the future of Spain.