Apart from their fullbacks they have good players in every position. The team is full of PL stars. However i agree they wont do that well. Need a better manager imo
Spot on. Their squad isn't even THAT strong, not compared to some.
They clearly have a good team, but they need a far better manager than Wilmots. They were still one of the first to qualify for the World Cup and have broken into the top 10 of the FIFA co-efficient thing for either the first time in a while or the first time ever.
As a squad they look very solid but I don't think they've been completely united as a team yet. I think that's why it took so long for the Spain team to become the force that they always had the potential to be.
They are not that much better than the likes of Croatia for me. And what do they average? Quarter-finals?
Their squad is strong but the manager has favourites eg. ignores the likes of Cavanda (perhaps one of the only natural, attacking right backs Belgium have ATM) and Naingollan for players like Cingan and Timmy Simons.
They have Croatia in their group. If Croatia win by 3 goals in the last game (against Belgium), as it stand they go top. Drew 1-1 the other game.
Yep, some people are saying Belgium will win the World Cup and scoff at those who claim Spain will win it again.
Just how good is their squad really?
In terms of top class players, I'd say only Kompany and Hazard.
Decent players elsewhere, and some with high potential in De Bruyne, Courtois and Lukaku.
Just doesn't strike me as a squad or pool of players to go over the top with.
Spain have still got far more talent available
Fellaini is the stand out player, other than that I can;t see them beating some of the other teams about like Spain etc..
Chris exactly.
Spain's B team could compete with them.
Their starting team right now is:
Courtois
Alderwiereld Kompany Vermaelen Vertonghen
Witsel Fellaini Dembele
De Bruyne Benteke/Lukaku Hazard
And that is with players such as Mirallas, Mertens, one of Lukaku/Benteké, Chadli, Defour and Mignolet in reserve. It's a strong squad that easily has the potential to get to the semis at least in less than a years' time. Maybe need more creativity in midfield.
Fellaini, Dembele and Witsel trying to keep up with the likes of Thiago, Isco and Fabregas would bring them right back down to earth.
Courtois is already one of the best 'keepers in the world IMO Chris H.
He most certainly isn't, IMO
He will be in a couple of years, him, De Gea and Ter Stegen will be the new Buffon, Casillas and Cech.
I agree Spain have the strongest squad as usual, good manager too of course, but, can they really win their 3rd major trophy in a row? Not even counting the Confed wins. It is also why I think Bayern won't win the CL this year even though they're still the best team in Europe ATM.
Courtois
Alderweireld Daniel Van Buyten Vermalaen Vertonghen
Fellaini Witsel Dembele
Mertens Benteke Hazard
De Bruyne Naiggolan Chadli Lukaku Mirallas Lombartes Mignolet
Very balanced squad other than fullbacks but World Cup?
They have already won 3 in a row.
2008, 2010, 2012
De Bruyne starts for them on the right.
Don't see it as any worse than people saying Colombia will win it.
Well, in ANY knockout competition it only takes one 80% performance and your out of the competition.
Spain have been incredible in the past 3 "big ones" but not unbeatable.
We'll see. I have a feeling it's Germany's time to shine.
I meant 4th, after winning 3 in a row
Chris H
I agree, they've got to win something at some point surely?
They've been unlucky to be in the same generation as one of the best international squads of all time.
They're not going to win the thing, but due to their dire record in recent years, their coefficient points probably ensure there'll be a serious group of death next summer.
Dark horses for sure and because of the familiarity of their squad, I think many English supporters will be looking out for them, me included.
Spain's squad:
Cassillas
Reina
Valdes
De Gea
Azpilicueta
Ramos
Arbeloa
Albiol
Alba
Monreal
Pique
Xavi
Iniesta
Fabregas
David Silva
Javi Garcia
Santi Cazorla
Jesus Navas
Isco
Koke
M.Suarez
Javi Martinez
Thiago Alcantara
Sergio Busquets
Susaeta
Juan Mata
Xabi Alonso
Llorente
Tello
Villa
Pedro
Torres
Soldado
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Belgium
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posted on 5/9/13
Apart from their fullbacks they have good players in every position. The team is full of PL stars. However i agree they wont do that well. Need a better manager imo
posted on 5/9/13
Spot on. Their squad isn't even THAT strong, not compared to some.
posted on 5/9/13
They clearly have a good team, but they need a far better manager than Wilmots. They were still one of the first to qualify for the World Cup and have broken into the top 10 of the FIFA co-efficient thing for either the first time in a while or the first time ever.
posted on 5/9/13
As a squad they look very solid but I don't think they've been completely united as a team yet. I think that's why it took so long for the Spain team to become the force that they always had the potential to be.
posted on 5/9/13
They are not that much better than the likes of Croatia for me. And what do they average? Quarter-finals?
posted on 5/9/13
Their squad is strong but the manager has favourites eg. ignores the likes of Cavanda (perhaps one of the only natural, attacking right backs Belgium have ATM) and Naingollan for players like Cingan and Timmy Simons.
posted on 5/9/13
They have Croatia in their group. If Croatia win by 3 goals in the last game (against Belgium), as it stand they go top. Drew 1-1 the other game.
posted on 5/9/13
Yep, some people are saying Belgium will win the World Cup and scoff at those who claim Spain will win it again.
posted on 5/9/13
Just how good is their squad really?
In terms of top class players, I'd say only Kompany and Hazard.
Decent players elsewhere, and some with high potential in De Bruyne, Courtois and Lukaku.
Just doesn't strike me as a squad or pool of players to go over the top with.
Spain have still got far more talent available
posted on 5/9/13
Fellaini is the stand out player, other than that I can;t see them beating some of the other teams about like Spain etc..
posted on 5/9/13
Chris exactly.
Spain's B team could compete with them.
posted on 5/9/13
Their starting team right now is:
Courtois
Alderwiereld Kompany Vermaelen Vertonghen
Witsel Fellaini Dembele
De Bruyne Benteke/Lukaku Hazard
And that is with players such as Mirallas, Mertens, one of Lukaku/Benteké, Chadli, Defour and Mignolet in reserve. It's a strong squad that easily has the potential to get to the semis at least in less than a years' time. Maybe need more creativity in midfield.
posted on 5/9/13
Fellaini, Dembele and Witsel trying to keep up with the likes of Thiago, Isco and Fabregas would bring them right back down to earth.
posted on 5/9/13
Courtois is already one of the best 'keepers in the world IMO Chris H.
posted on 5/9/13
He most certainly isn't, IMO
He will be in a couple of years, him, De Gea and Ter Stegen will be the new Buffon, Casillas and Cech.
posted on 5/9/13
I agree Spain have the strongest squad as usual, good manager too of course, but, can they really win their 3rd major trophy in a row? Not even counting the Confed wins. It is also why I think Bayern won't win the CL this year even though they're still the best team in Europe ATM.
posted on 5/9/13
Courtois
Alderweireld Daniel Van Buyten Vermalaen Vertonghen
Fellaini Witsel Dembele
Mertens Benteke Hazard
De Bruyne Naiggolan Chadli Lukaku Mirallas Lombartes Mignolet
Very balanced squad other than fullbacks but World Cup?
posted on 5/9/13
They have already won 3 in a row.
2008, 2010, 2012
posted on 5/9/13
Oops forgot Kompany.
posted on 5/9/13
De Bruyne starts for them on the right.
Don't see it as any worse than people saying Colombia will win it.
posted on 5/9/13
Well, in ANY knockout competition it only takes one 80% performance and your out of the competition.
Spain have been incredible in the past 3 "big ones" but not unbeatable.
We'll see. I have a feeling it's Germany's time to shine.
posted on 5/9/13
I meant 4th, after winning 3 in a row
posted on 5/9/13
Chris H
I agree, they've got to win something at some point surely?
They've been unlucky to be in the same generation as one of the best international squads of all time.
posted on 5/9/13
They're not going to win the thing, but due to their dire record in recent years, their coefficient points probably ensure there'll be a serious group of death next summer.
Dark horses for sure and because of the familiarity of their squad, I think many English supporters will be looking out for them, me included.
posted on 5/9/13
Spain's squad:
Cassillas
Reina
Valdes
De Gea
Azpilicueta
Ramos
Arbeloa
Albiol
Alba
Monreal
Pique
Xavi
Iniesta
Fabregas
David Silva
Javi Garcia
Santi Cazorla
Jesus Navas
Isco
Koke
M.Suarez
Javi Martinez
Thiago Alcantara
Sergio Busquets
Susaeta
Juan Mata
Xabi Alonso
Llorente
Tello
Villa
Pedro
Torres
Soldado
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