Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente defends his decision to omit Joan Garcia from the World Cup qualifiers squad despite Garcia’s impressive performance with Espanyol and subsequent move to Barcelona. De la Fuente emphasizes merit-based selection, highlighting the inclusion of Rodri, Dani Carvajal, and six Barcelona players. He also addresses Gavi’s injury withdrawal and Fermin Lopez’s potential transfer, advocating for Spanish players to remain in La Liga to bolster its competitiveness. The coach maintains that Garcia’s time with the national team will come.
Luis de la Fuente has addressed the controversial decision to exclude Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Spain's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, sparking debate among fans and pundits alike. The Spanish national team coach named his 26-man squad for the crucial clashes against Bulgaria and Türkiye, scheduled for September 4 and 7, with Garcia's absence being a significant talking point. Many expected Garcia to receive his first call-up after a stellar season with Espanyol, performances that ultimately earned him a high-profile move to Barcelona in June.
Garcia's impressive statistics speak for themselves. He made a remarkable 146 saves in La Liga last season, placing him second among goalkeepers in Europe's top five leagues, only behind Mark Flekken. Despite these outstanding achievements, De la Fuente opted for a goalkeeping trio of Unai Simon, David Raya, and Alex Remiro, leaving Garcia out in the cold.
De la Fuente addressed the media, stating firmly that his decision was not influenced by external pressure. "If I’d felt pressure, I would have brought him in," he asserted, aiming to dispel any notions of favoritism or external influence. He emphasized that all goalkeepers are closely monitored and that Garcia remains a prospect for future squads. "We monitor all the goalkeepers, and Joan could be here now, before, or in the future. And not because he’s at Barca," De la Fuente added, keen to highlight that selection is based on merit, not club affiliation.
The coach was emphatic about the selection process, underscoring the importance of the national team's identity. "I want to tell you that players from clubs don’t come here; this is the national team, regardless of the club they come from," he stated, pushing back against suggestions that players from larger clubs receive preferential treatment. He urged observers not to overemphasize the number of players from any single club. "Let’s not make assumptions about whether six or seven come from one club… Let’s give this importance. Joan’s time will come, for sure," he concluded, offering reassurance about Garcia's future prospects.
OFFICIAL | Here’s the 26-man squad Luis de la Fuente has called up for the clashes vs Bulgaria & Turkey on Sept 4 & 7.
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In related team news, Rodri and Dani Carvajal have returned to the squad after recovering from ACL injuries, providing a significant boost to the team's experience and defensive capabilities. The squad also features six Barcelona players, including promising talents like Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, Fermin Lopez, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, and Lamine Yamal, highlighting the Catalan club’s strong representation in the national setup.
Gavi was initially named in the squad but has since withdrawn due to a knee injury, a setback that will also sideline him for Barcelona’s upcoming match against Rayo Vallecano. His absence presents an opportunity for other midfielders to step up and stake their claim for a regular starting spot.
Fermin Lopez's future is currently uncertain, with rumors linking him to a potential move to Chelsea. De la Fuente offered advice to the young player, encouraging him to prioritize his sporting development. "What would I say to him? It’s very personal; he has to weigh up a lot of things," De la Fuente commented, acknowledging the complex factors influencing the player’s decision.
The coach emphasized the importance of Spanish players remaining in La Liga, highlighting the league's competitiveness. "In football, there’s supply and demand, with the economic factor, I think, being secondary. The sporting aspect comes first; I don’t know what he’s discussed with the club. From the outside, I can’t really give an opinion, but I’d like Spanish players to be in our league. I regret it when they go abroad because I think they’d make LaLiga more competitive here, which for me is the best in the world," De la Fuente stated, underscoring his desire to maintain La Liga's status as a top global league.
The full Spain squad includes Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Pedri (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona), Alvaro Morata (Como), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal), and Jesus Rodriguez (Como).