Vicente del Bosque has explained his latest Spain squad, as well as further reasoning the intention to call up Diego Costa.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed yesterday that whilst they are unable to complete paperwork to have the Brazilian-born striker called up for this month’s internationals, the intention is there to involve him in the future.
Whilst the RFEF also report that the Atletico Madrid man has said yes to provisional involvement, Del Bosque has explained further the current situation.
“This has been a sporting issue. We have considered calling him up and the Federation has then begun making arrangements and if we are guilty of anything it is that we have not acted earlier,” Del Bosque mused to reporters today.
“I do not know if he will be used as a No 9, because he is different and complementary. He is a player who has been training in this country since the age of 18 and at Atletico Madrid he is already shown he can play throughout the positions in attack.
“He can be a valuable player, for his involvement and his forward runs, but he does not have a set position.
“He is a very interesting player for us. I do not have to convince anyone, but I think that he is a phenomenon.
“Contact [with Diego Costa] was required. The conversation was lively, he is a noble boy, friendly, good, away from the Diego Costa that is aggressive in football matches.
“We had a nice meeting together, we have seen the potential that he has, we have said that we want to call him up and he has told us that he wanted to come.
“Until he plays for us in an international match, the door to playing for Brazil is not closed. He has good intentions with a country that has welcomed him, but whilst there is nothing concrete, there are more options.
“He wants to play with us. Opinions are free, of course we are aware, we know how the world is. Nobody chooses where they are born and he has the requirements that a player needs to play for our national team. He would be welcome, to adapt and settle in the national team.”
Del Bosque was talking to reporters after announcing his latest squad to face Belarus and Georgia in La Roja’s closing World Cup qualifiers. Alberto Moreno was the main novelty.
“With the policy that we are following now, we are not against bringing in people from the Under-21 team when we have an absence. We want to function as a club does in looking to their youth team.
“Both Koke and Alberto Moreno represent this. Moreno is a dynamic player that we have had good reports on.”
There are four Atletico Madrid players in the squad for the first time in 21 years, with Juanfran Torres having returned.
“Atletico are a team that are playing fantastically. We cannot bring them all, but if a team is performing well, all the elements of it benefit. Atletico have had a fantastic trajectory. We do not have anything against any club. We treat everyone equally.
“Juanfran? We have selected him in games since the game against France. If we have not selected him in other squads, it is because we have been looking at younger players. We need to have alternatives on the right side, like Azpilicueta and Montoya, but they are not playing.
“I was very excited to see Koke at right-back too. When I knew that we faced Finland last month, I was thrilled with his quality and believed he was a good player for the right.
“In his club he is playing well. All those who have deserved to be called have been, where we have found space.”
