It was a horrible World Cup campaign for Spain and its high time they put it behind and start a new life after retirement of some of their key players.
Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez and David Villa all left the national team set up after the 2014 world cup but the Spanish team can now look towards the promising youth players at their disposal and build a new team hoping to become a major force in world football again.
The latest match against France may not have gone as desired after they fell 1-0 to the Les Blues but it’s essential the younger talented players in the squad starts getting opportunities which will enhance their improvement.
David De Gea’s involvement ahead of Iker Casillas is a case of a statement been made with the later performing below expectation for a couple of years now.
Manchester United goalkeeper in De Gea will be excited to make his first start for his country but will be disappointed with the defeat.
If the inscription on the wall can be read clearly, David is going to be the future of the team from the rear and the beginning of a constant first team place is nearer than ever.
Dani Carvajal, Mikel San Jose and Cesar Azpilicueta also started in the defence with Gerard Pique ignored totally for a call up.
Their performances at club level gave them these opportunities and if they all continue to play at that top level, these young players will only get better with the likes of Sergio Ramos not having age as an advantage and Pique dip in form and consistency.
It may have to be said that the challenge the team is facing now is about that of a transformation with much pressure placed on them after the exploits between 2008 and 2012 which saw the team claim three trophies all to be embarrassed at the 2014 world cup.
The tiki-taka system may be theirs but they definitely lack the players to play that system now.
A system mainly played by Barcelona also helped the national team with the engine room been the link between Xavi Hernadez, Andreas Iniesta and Sergio Busquet with Xabi Alosno fitting in well.
The exit of Xavi and Alonso means the likes of Cesc Febregas should be shouldered with more responsibilities.
Koke is another alternative but presently not as good and experienced as Fabregas.
A change of system is highly important except the team is ready to wait for yet another few years to get back to their best.
With the system in Barcelona changing, Real Madrid not a custodian of the same style of football, it will definitely be difficult for Vicente Del Bosque to get his players to be effective playing the same style that saw them hit top in four years.
The recent call up of Barcelona 19 year old Munir El Haddadi as Diego Costa’s replacement must be commended and it’s of the opinion that Spain is not far from getting back to the top if the right players are given the opportunity with a little deviation from their usual style of play.
