The Alternates: Spain
By s.a. rose
The team of Spanish Alternates that cannot break into Julen Lopetegui’s current squad would be too talented for most international sides to handle.
Seven members remain on the Spanish national team from the 2010 World Cup-winning side and the team has only moved from strength to strength (save for a blip at the group stage in 2014) adding players of the highest quality, many who often compete in the final few rounds of the Champions League every season. Competition to make this team is so fierce that two World Cup winners now in their late 20s are not always locks to break into the team.
Like the quality German alternate side discussed in yesterday’s entry into The Alternates series, there is incredible quality among players that do not make manager Julen Lopetegui’s side. If you missed it, Germany’s ho-hum 1-0 win in a friendly is being celebrated in England during the March 2017 international break that essentially highlights the lack of talent available to England manager Gareth Southgate.
At playingfor90.com, the challenge is to name a squad of players currently outside their national team and see if there is enough quality among the Alternates to compete with a full-strength England side. Looking at the countries with the strongest leagues in Europe, Spain is next on our list.
Monday – Germany
Tuesday – Spain
Wednesday – France
Thursday – Italy
Friday – England (… is there hope on the horizon)
Current Squad (March 2017 Qualifiers)
Spain
Manager: Julen Lopetegui
Keepers: David de Gea, Sergio Rico, Pepe Reina
Defenders: Jordi Alba, Nacho Monreal, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Javi Martinez, Nacho, Dani Carvajal, Cesar Azpilicueta
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Asier Illarramendi, Koke, Isco, Andres Iniesta, Ander Herrera, Thiago Alcantara, David Silva
Forwards: Alvaro Morata, Diego Costa, Pedro, Iago Aspas, Gerard Deulofeu, Vitolo
Spain – Alternate Squad: 4-1-4-1
GK: Iker Casillas (Porto)
RB: Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)
CB: Marc Bartra (Dortmund)
CB: Raul Albiol (Napoli)
LB: Juan Bernat (Bayern Munich)
DM: Ignacio Camacho (Malaga)
AM: Juan Mata (Manchester United)
AM: Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)
LW: Iker Muniain (Athletic)
RW: Iñaki Williams (Athletic)
F: Paco Alcacer (Barcelona)
Sub GK: Adrian (West Ham)
Sub D: Jose Gaya (Valencia)
Sub D: Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)
Sub M: Saúl Ñíguez (Atletico Madrid)
Sub M: Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
Sub W: Santi Mina (Valencia)
Sub F: Nolito (Manchester City)
Analysis
Like Philipp Lahm for Germany, former national team captain Iker Casillas is brought in between the sticks – not for nostalgic reasons but based on his form for Porto. The Premier League’s top right back Hector Bellerin, who is somehow not a full-fledged regular keeps Barca’s Sergi Roberto on the bench.
Veterans Bartra, Albiol, Bernat and Camacho – all with caps to their names – will handle the bulk of the defensive responsibilities. Former World Cup winner Juan Mata will support this side’s No.10 Marco Asensio and while he struggles to start for club, Paco Alcacer will be the main striker for this side.
Next: James gifts bird to the press
A mix of experience and young quality would see this side cruise against England’s first XI. There is nary a Burnley (like Michael Keane) or Sunderland (like Jermain Defoe) represented in this Alternate XI that is filled with players from England’s biggest four clubs, Spain’s biggest four clubs and Germany’s two biggest clubs.
England’s first XI or the Alternate squad for Spain. Who do you think would win?