The Strongest Squad in The Competition Still Has Its Key Performers.

It is widely agreed that, pre-tournament favourites, Spain have the best squad heading into the 2010 World Cup. Of the 23 man squad named to go to South Africa this summer 19 currently play Champions League football. Perhaps even more impressive if the fact that all but three players still play their football in the Spanish domestic league, La Liga; team chemistry shouldn’t prove to be a problem.

To pick a select few key players out of the Spanish team is a tough task, the squad is littered with ubertalented players; imagine England leaving Mikel Arteta, Santi Cazorla and Marcos Senna out of their 23 man team to take to South Africa. However, it is not always the most talented squad that wins the World Cup but the most in-form and consistent – not that the Spanish fall down on either of them factors either. A 35 game unbeaten streak was stopped by, England’s group stage opponents, the U.S.A. in 2009 and they currently head into the World Cup on a nine game winning streak. However, the latest victory over Saudi Arabia was less that convincing – a last minute strike from Fernando Llorente saved the Spaniard’s blushes – a performance like that against higher quality opposition in less that a months time and the favourites will be flying back from South Africa without the famous Jules Rimit trophy next to them. For Spain to win the World Cup for the first time it will still require some key players to perform to their maximum potential.

Andres Iniesta.

 

The Barcelona central midfielder plays a pivotal role for his club and country. Sometimes over-looked due to the flair of Lionel Messi at club level and not one to draw the plaudits regularly for Spain with the goalscoring threat of David Villa often receiving more praise the efficient midfielder’s performances’ are often not heralded in the way they deserve – although from Iniesta’s honest demeanour it may be that this is just the way he likes to be treated. Iniesta has been capped 41 times for his country scoring 6 goals in the process but it is not his goal-scoring that he is famous for. Iniesta’s passing range is perhaps the best in the World, indeed former team-mate Samuel Eto’o certainly concurs stating that “Iniesta is the best player in the world; whenever Iniesta is on the pitch, he creates a spectacle”. A product of the famous ‘Barca’ youth system, where Iniesta developed his talent alongside Cesc Fabregas, he has represented Spain at every youth level and is of a rare breed of player who manages to fulfil their early promise. There is no doubt that the creative influence of Iniesta will be invaluable to Spain’s progress in the competition.

David Villa

Perhaps the most natural goal-scorer in all of World football, Villa has consistently been rumoured with a move to one of Europe’s elite for many summers now, this transfer window though the move happened; Barcelona was the buyer for a fee of €40 million. Villa appears to be the player that immediately fits with Barcelona’s system, perhaps a replacement for Zlatan Imbrahimovic who hasn’t shone since moving from Inter in 2009, he is lightning quick, posseses a great first touch and, most crucially, is deadly in front of goal, it is not just Barcelona’s system Villa fits into though but the high tempo attack of Spain suits him as well; his outstanding goal-scoring record – 37 goals in 56 international appearances – further emphasises this fact. If him a Torres ‘click’ in South Africa then Spain will have a strikeforce fitting of World champions.

Fernando Llorente

Not an obvious choice, of course the likes of  Gerard Pique, Xavi and Fernando Torres are likely to play a more prominent part in Spain’s World Cup campaign but perhaps no-one has a more important role in this Spanish side than the Athletic Bilbao striker.  At 6ft 5inch Llorente provides Spain’s only option of a ‘plan b’ if things don’t go according to plan in a small Spanish side – Gerard Pique is the only other Spanish outfield player to be above 6ft – he has been used sparingly, but effectively, to date; 6 caps have yielded 3 goals for his country. The 25 year olds club record is decent as well. He scored 14 goals last season in an average Bilbao side who are unlikely to create as many chances as the glitzy Spanish will do. Despite not being an obvious pick Llorente may just prove to have the variation that Spain need if it all doesn’t go to plan.