Spanish Inquisition: Pedro, Guti, Canales - Who Will Make Spain's World Cup Squad?

Posted Friday, March 19, 2010 by Goal.com

The anticipation for the 2010 World Cup will grow exponentially as the days till the big kick off on June 11 fall from the calendar. Coaches are making their final preparations, and are narrowing their shortlist of individuals who can make a late break for the final selections.

In the case of Vicente del Bosque and Spain, the majority of his 23-man squad can rest easy knowing their place is secure – after all, a side that has a flawless qualifying record must be doing something right.

Therefore the competition for the remaining berths is fierce, and highlights the fearsome strength in depth that La Furia Roja can call upon as they bid to conquer the world, just as they ruled Europe two years ago.

Del Bosque has indicated in recent interviews that a maximum of three positions are available, and Goal.com examines the most likely candidates.

1. Pedro Rodriguez (age 22, Barcelona)

Blaugrana coach Pep Guardiola was frustrated in the transfer market in the summer as he fretted in his attempt to add another striker to his squad, but his failure to land an acquisition allowed Pedro to finally make the transition from prodigious B-teamer to an integral element of Barcelona’s philosophy.

After 14 goals in 17 starts, Pedro heads the list of breakthrough talent that have played themselves into the reckoning for a squad berth. His dribbling ability, pace, and uncanny knack to net vital goals (strikes against Inter and in the Club World Cup final being most notable) have made him a surprisingly key player for Guardiola this season.

However, his form has tailed off recently and his appearances have dried up, just as others are raising their game, meaning he may have peaked too soon to be considered a viable alternative.

Pros: Talented enough to be a regular performer in the best team in the world, and a scorer as well as provider.

Cons: Form has curtailed and may be suffering a dip at precisely the wrong time of the season.

2. Jesus Navas (age 24, Sevilla)

Under differing circumstances Navas would be an international regular already, but anxiety issues and homesickness led to the Andalucian announcing premature retirement from representing his country. However, in August 2009 the flying winger reversed his decision, and del Bosque promptly selected him for the friendlies against Argentina and Austria in November, where he saw valuable minutes in both matches.

Navas has been instrumental in maintaining Sevilla’s three pronged tilt domestically and in Europe, and is once again garnering the interest of Spain’s big two. He is vital to the Blanquirrojos’ system, and is the man who provides the creative verve with his right wing deliveries.

Pros: One of the stars of the Primera Division this season, and Champions League exposure will improve his chances.

Cons: Previous personal issues and a potential relapse means a trip to South Africa may be a risk del Bosque is unwilling to take.

3. Guti (age 33, Real Madrid)

The term enigma is often erroneously attributed to players of a certain style, but Guti is arguably THE enigma still plying his trade in world football today. When content with the off-field politics at the Santiago Bernabeu, he can be the most creative conductor of play there is, but his volatile temperament means if he is considered anything other than the center of attention, his performances (and generally those of his team-mates) suffer terribly.

Guti be in with a chance...

This season has witnessed both the angelic Guti, nonchalantly back-heeling the ball to Benzema for a goal of the season contender at Deportivo La Coruna, and the devilish Guti who refused to re-emerge for the second half of Los Blancos’ capitulation in the Copa del Rey against lowly Alcorcon. Recently however, the halo has returned and his experience could be an invaluable asset to La Furia Roja.

Pros: Has a supreme ability to dictate play and provide slide-rule passes to unlock tight defenses – which the World Cup is likely to have plenty of.

Cons: Has a renowned reputation of disrupting dressing rooms, and could be seen as an unnecessary risk to a squad otherwise at ease and in perfect harmony.

4. Sergio Canales (age 19, Racing Santander)

Arguably the most promising teenage protege in European football emerged this season in the form of Sergio Canales. The attacking midfielder has barely made 20 appearances in La Liga but Real Madrid have been suitably impressed enough to secure his signature for what looks to be a bargain €4.5 million.

Canales shows a level of skill, awareness, and maturity well beyond his teenage years, and if his move to Madrid proves fruitful, the kid from Santander could well be a staple of the Spain squad for years to come. He has represented his nation at every youth level and his emergence has caused del Bosque to remark on his abilities and reiterating that there could be room for his inclusion.

Pros: Del Bosque has refused to rule out a call up, suggesting he has been impressed by what he has seen of the youngster.

Cons: With such competition offensively, South Africa may arrive too early in the calendar for a player who is uncapped in senior internationals.

5. David de Gea (age 19, Atletico Madrid)

Another youth product who has surfaced this season, de Gea’s recent performances for Atletico Madrid have impressed coach Quique Sanchez Flores to the extent that first choice shot-stopper Sergio Asenjo, himself lauded as a future Spanish international, has been stranded on the bench.

De Gea has an air of confidence which all goalkeepers should have in spades, and has also shown an agility and command of his area which has not been coincidental to Los Colchoneros’ recent revival.

Iker Casillas will always be custodian of the gloves for the Spanish Armada, but there could be an outside chance for de Gea to sneak into the squad and gain valuable experience, and recently, del Bosque has indicated that his inclusion could be a possibility.

De Gea could be a surprise inclusion

Pros: The future Casillas could begin his journey by working alongside the legendary gloveman in a major tournament.

Cons: The trio of Casillas, Pepe Reina (Liverpool) and Diego Lopez (Villarreal) have not suffered any loss of form – and what of Victor Valdes?

6. Pablo Hernandez (age 24, Valencia) / 7. Joaquin (age 28, Valencia)

Hernandez netted on only his second international appearance in the friendly versus Austria in November, and also traveled to the Confederations Cup last summer, so appears to be a favorite of del Bosque who sees him as a versatile replacement should either David Silva or Juan Mata suffer injury or loss of form.

Hernandez however has not been as involved this season for Los Che as in 2008/09, due to the re-emergence of Joaquin. The winger was once a La Seleccion regular but has not featured since making public comments about the national team following the 2007 defeat to Northern Ireland.

He has looked capable of re-capturing the form that led to Valencia paying €25m to sign him from Real Betis in 2006, but his disappearance from the international stage coincided with a record-equaling unbeaten run from Spain. In other words, he hasn’t been missed during his exile.

Pros: Both Joaquin and Pablo can be used on either flank, giving the squad extra depth and versatility.

Cons: Del Bosque has many potential suitors in these positions who are more consistent than this duo.

8. Fernando Llorente (age 24, Athletic Bilbao)

Llorente has been the great hope of the Basque club since his inception into Los Leones’ first team in 2005, and his combination of neat touch on the ground with aerial prowess represents an attacking alternative to the dynamism of Fernando Torres and David Villa.

He is a favorite of del Bosque, with all of his five caps coming under the mustachioed coach's tenure, and the fact that Llorente holds a wealth of La Liga experience as well as being a viable out-ball, or ‘Plan B’, when a tactical rethink is required, could well see the striker stamp his ticket to South Africa.

However the form of Alvaro Negredo for Sevilla, a player who has played regular Champions League football, could cloud the issue.

Pros: Excellent in the air, and an alternative foil for Torres or Villa.

Cons: Negredo is a similar player in physique and approach, and is edging into form as the tournament approaches.

Finally…..

9. Raul Gonzalez (age 32, Real Madrid)

Please give me another chance, Vicente...

A highly unlikely selection, but on paper there are few other nations in the world who could overlook a player of his pedigree and is still willing to represent his country.

Spain have two of the best forwards in the tournament in the form of Torres and Villa and Raul's days of leading his nation are generally considered to be a thing of the past.

However, his experience is unparalleled and his recent demotion with Real Madrid to squad rotator could reveal a humility and humbleness that could see him as a valued adviser to the rest of the squad. Del Bosque, who of course coached him at club level, recently spoke of his ‘personal appreciation’ for his abilities, but may see Raul’s inclusion as an excuse for a media cavalcade that he we will want to avoid.

Pros: Arguably the greatest Spanish striker in history, fit, and available.

Cons: It has been four years since his last selection, and it simply wouldn’t be logical for del Bosque to include him now.