The glory days of the Xavi-Iniesta are now over a decade into the past. Spain won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, with a World Cup victory placed nicely in between the pair in 2010.
Since then, however, it feels as though Spain have been in a constant state of rebuilding.
La Roja reached the semi-final stage of Euro 2020 before losing out on penalties to eventual winners, Italy.
However, this was followed up by a dismal display at the 2022 World Cup, which saw Spain crash out in the Round of 16 to Morrocco.
Spain then parted company with manager Luis Enrique after going out of the 2022 World Cup at the last-16 stage on penalties.
Luis de la Fuente was put in charge of Spain following the departure of Enrique. Fuente has been a part of the Spain set-up since 2013, winning the European under-19 Championship in 2015 and the European under-21 Championship in 2019.
At the time of writing, he has since taken charge of four games with the men’s senior side. A 3-0 win over Norway was followed by a shock 2-0 loss to Scotland in a Euro 2024 qualifier. But the 62-year-old has already garnered silverware with this new side after beating Italy in the semi-final and Croatia in the final of the latest Nations League competition.
Picking up the Nations League will no doubt give Spain confidence ahead of next summer but their squad once again seems to be in a state of rebuild.
Spain’s full-back positions are a cause for concern with ageing players such as Jordi Alba and Jesus Navas often relied upon far too much.
As it to be expected, though, Spain have plenty of options in central midfield. Manchester City’s Rodri has carried his club form into the national side and remains one of the best DMs in the world. La Roja have plenty of young talent in midfield, with Gavi and Pedri developing with each passing game.
Fuente is also spoilt for choice when it comes to the emerging young wingers in Spain. Yeremy Pino has cemented himself as a major player for the national side at 20 years of age, putting on a match-winning display in the semi-final of the Nations League:
Elsewhere, 16-year-old right-winger Lamine Yamal has taken La Liga by storm this season with his displays for FC Barcelona, and has been called up to the Spain squad for the current break.
Spain’s main issue ahead of 2024, however, lies in their striker role. Alvaro Morata has started in three of Fuente’s four games at the helm and is yet to score a goal. The 30-year-old is well known around Europe for his poor finishing, and relying on him at Euro 2024 could cost Spain.
Iago Aspas and Nico Williams are waiting in the wings for a chance but Fuente seems determined to stick with the goal-shy Morata right now.
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