MADRID, 10 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The national men’s soccer coach, Luis Enrique Martínez, will put an end to the wait and will offer this Friday the list of the players chosen to compete in the Qatar World Cup, a call that will shed light on some positions such as defense and forward.
It will be from 12:30 p.m., in the Luis Aragonés Hall of the Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas (Madrid), when the Asturian coach puts an end to the suspense and brings happiness to a group of players, yet to know if they will be 24, as in last year’s European Championship, 25 or the 26 that FIFA allows again and that can help the entry of some surprise.
The one from Gijón has a block that seems practically fixed of about twenty players and the best news for him is that he has almost all the selectable without physical problems after regulars such as Koke Resurrection, Marcos Llorente and a Gerard Moreno whose physical problems have hardly allowed him to perform in this first section. Except for great surprise, Mikel Oyarzabal will not be there, still recovering from his serious knee injury last March.
And seeing the lists and the last call last September for the closing of the group stage of the League of Nations, where it seems that there will be more struggle will be in defense, especially on the left side and in the configuration of the lead.
Thus, it seems almost certain that there will be no changes in the goal, with Unai Simón, Robert Sánchez and David Raya, as chosen despite the great moment of David de Gea or Kepa Arrizebalaga, while in defense Pau Torres, Eric García, Diego Llorente, César Azpilicueta, Dani Carvajal and Jordi Alba should have a foot and a half, along with Aymeric Laporte who has already played again and it would be a surprise if he did not enter. Together with the side from L’Hospitalet, José Luis Gayá and Marcos Alonso are fighting for a position, with an advantage for the Valencian player who was in the previous one, while players like Hugo Guillamón or Íñigo Martínez aspire to enter.
In midfield, Sergio Busquets, Rodri Hernández, Pedri, Gavi, Koke, Marcos Llorente and Carlos Soler have been the most common, although the PSG players do not have many minutes. Names that have already been with the Spaniard such as Mikel Merino, Sergio Canales or Thiago Alcántara can be alternatives.
Finally, a lot of competition is also expected for the offensive front. Álvaro Morata is the number ‘9’ practically fixed, and Pablo Sarabia, Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo, already recovered from his injury, should have their place. Borja Iglesias, a novelty on the last list, could take advantage of Gerard Moreno’s lack of rhythm to win a place, while Nico Williams, another who made his debut in the previous call, Marco Asensio and Yéremi Pino want to be on a list that Brais Méndez aspires at a great moment and to whom Luis Enrique has already called on other occasions and that seems distant for Ansu Fati.
The FC Barcelona striker did not enter the September one because the coach did not see him at a good level and without relevant participation, and his situation has not changed too much, although he has had more minutes from Xavi Hernández.
