Cesc Fabregas has dismissed any suggestion Spain should consider dropping Iker Casillas for the next World Cup fixture.
The captain made an error in La Roja’s 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands on Friday and with Vicente Del Bosque confirming he will make changes for Wednesday’s must-win game against Chile, Fabregas was asked if Casillas’ place was secure.
“Casillas is different from the rest. He has something,” AS reports the Chelsea new boy as saying.
“He has demonstrated that with Real Madrid. In the important moments he is always there. He is the absolute leader and must be between the sticks.”
Fabregas was less clear on his own place in the team, however, but admitted that in the long-term, the squad will look much different, but insisted Del Bosque was the right man for the post.
“I don’t know if I’ll play. This Coach doesn’t give notice until a few hours before kick-off,” he confirmed.
“The one who has to decide is the Coach. We know there are players who will leave the team after the World Cup. We’ll see if he decides to stick with the same players or make changes.
“I don’t see Del Bosque leaving. I haven’t experienced a bad time with him. We reached the final of the Confederations Cup and we’ve won everything.
“The style depends on everyone’s opinion. That’s about who is the boss. We only have Pedro as a wide player but we will attack against Chile, create chances, be brave and we should take them.
“We are the first to know when we fail. It’s a daily requirement. In football it’s that if we are 23 we play well, but if we are one, we play badly.”
Fabregas added that Spain have to go out on the front foot against the South Americans and get their World Cup back on track.
“We have no choice but to move on. It was a blow [to lose to the Netherlands] but now it’s over. We must win against Chile and be prepared for a big game,” he said.
“We believe Chile will play the same as they did against us in Switzerland and against Holland. We’ll see what we can do, especially in defence.
“Chile is a warrior team that always plays the same – very feisty, pressing from the first minute and they’ll try to stop our passes.
“I think if we win both games we’ll go through. And that’s for one simple reason: I know we have to beat Australia and that will make a difference.”
Fabregas also revealed the truth behind his Barcelona exit, confirming he asked to leave the club.
