As Spain reconvene for another set of international fixtures against Israel and France, there’s been some intense debate about the squad selected by manager Julen Lopetegui. There’s no shortage of talent or experience among the 25 individuals but that hasn’t stopped fans and the media from putting forward a host of other names who were worthy of a call-up.
Here, we focus on five uncapped players who find themselves unlucky to be overlooked:
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#5 Roque Mesa
From bouncing around the semi-professional leagues a few years ago to becoming a standout player in La Liga over the last couple of seasons, a first international cap would have marked an incredible rise for Roque Mesa. It wasn’t to be this time but if Mesa continues performing to the standard he’s displayed for some time, it’s going to become harder for Lopetegui to ignore him.
Playing in one of Europe’s most entertaining sides, Mesa is the midfield metronome for Las Palmas orchestrating the many beautiful moves they piece together. Despite operating from a deep position, Mesa’s style has been compared to Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.
He’s extremely composed, always willing to receive the ball in tight areas and move it on in a way that opens the game up for his team. As well as making the correct decisions and controlling the tempo, Mesa can also throw his weight around in a defensive sense.
It’s testament to his ability that a number of elite clubs such as Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal are supposedly interested in signing the 27-year-old. The future certainly looks bright for the man from the Canary Islands.
#4 Jonathan Viera
Alongside Mesa at Las Palmas, Jonathan Viera has also caught many people’s eye. Whereas Mesa organises the team’s attacks, Viera adds the flair in the final third to devastating effect. Viera had struggled to find consistency during the early part of his career but a return to his hometown club has helped him mature into a stylish player under Quique Setien. In the left interior role he’s become the team’s main protagonist for goals and assists, notching six and seven respectively in La Liga this term.
There’s so much to Viera’s game that’s developed largely thanks to Setien’s influence. He’s the schemer that takes on the creative responsibility; he’s blessed with quick feet and can dribble past multiple defenders with ease, play key through passes and is a goal threat. If there’s something La Roja are missing, it’s possibly a midfielder who can get on the scoresheet on a regular basis.
Viera’s the sort of player that can make something happen from nothing as he’s shown a number of times for Los Amarillos. He definitely wouldn’t look out of place in a Spain jersey.
#3 Sergio Escudero
Despite earning his maiden international call-up for last November’s games against Macedonia and England, Sergio Escudero was surprisingly not given any minutes in either match and is unlucky to be sitting out the latest round of games.
Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli has received a lot of praise for the way his team have performed as a collective this season but his effect on certain individuals shouldn’t go unobserved. In Escudero’s case, he’s quite possibly become the best Spanish left-back around at the moment.
Under Sampaoli’s stewardship, Escudero is a far more dynamic player who is able to contribute heavily in both halves of the pitch with an intensity that is relentless at times. He’s a solid defender who finds a good balance between pressing and remaining compact but it’s in the attacking third where he’s improved immensely with his brilliant delivery and link-up play.
Given Arsenal’s terrible run of form lately it seems strange that Nacho Monreal has been preferred over the rampant Sevilla man.
#2 Manu Trigueros
Always a ‘Steady Eddie’ throughout his Villarreal career, Manu Trigueros has moved through the gears in recent months and has arguably been his side’s best player this season. That’s no mean feat given the abundance of talent the Yellow Submarine possess and crucially he’s remained incredibly consistent.
Trigueros has always shown tremendous energy and superb technical ability as a central midfielder in previous seasons but the potential to go further was being held back by the rather pragmatic Marcelino. Since Fran Escriba’s appointment as manager, Trigueros has been unleashed, tasked with causing more danger in his team’s well-functioned 4-4-2 counter attacking set up.
He’s now much more involved in the team’s attacks often playing the important defence-splitting pass or ending the move with a shot at goal. Trigueros is still incredibly disciplined and hasn’t shirked his defensive responsibilities but a new lease of life has allowed him to perform three roles simultaneously which he’s excelled at. That versatility was certainly worthy of a call up.
#1 Suso
It wasn’t surprising to see an AC Milan winger make the cut but most people would agree that Suso should have been chosen ahead of Gerard Deulofeu. The latter has experienced a brief period of productivity since joining the Italians in January but Suso has been the standout performer for some time.
In Vincenzo’s Montella’s young and developing side the burden to produce moments of magic falls firmly on the former Liverpool youngster but he’s embraced the challenge whether it be from a right wing or number 10 position. The diminutive playmaker has scored six goals in Serie A and provided eight assists in all competitions but what’s striking is who he’s notched against.
Four of his six goals have come against Napoli, Inter and Lazio while half of his assists were against sides in the top half of the division proving his status as a big-game player for the Rossoneri. Having represented his country from under-17 through to under-21 level, Suso’s fine form could easily have seen him make the leap to the senior squad.
