Del Bosque and his incomplete squad reconstruction

An incomplete squad reconstruction is the initial sensation generated by Del Bosque’s first post-World Cup squad list. From the squad of 23 players that made the trip to Brazil, 15 remain with only eight exclusions. Both Xavi and Villa announced their retirement from international duty after a disappointing tournament. Xabi Alonso also called time on his international career although sometime later which suggests a degree of uncertainty regarding the decision. Two of the old guard remain. Del Bosque did explain that Pique is not match fit and Fernando Torres has just completed a move to Milan after it became apparent that his place in the Chelsea starting line-up was not guaranteed. Diego Costa remains in the squad.

This was always going to be a complicated squad list with debate inevitable. After the debacle in Brazil a squad overhaul is generally a method of appeasement but this list falls short. Del Bosque staying on as national coach was widely discussed over the summer. The World Cup clearly caught him out with the debate surrounding the need to rejuvenate the squad or not. My feeling is that time has caught up with him by his failing to react in time. Xavi, the kingpin has called it a day, time to move forward and this applies to both Barça and the national side. This is the dilemma that Del Bosque is faced with.

Ultimately, something has changed and there is no easy solution. Qualification for the European Championship is taken for granted (Spain´s group is straightforward and even finishing as runners-up is sufficient). The future starts with a complicated friendly in Paris and with an ongoing air of uncertainty. Doubts linger regarding the genuine quality of those who have or are about to retire. Were Puyol, Piqué, Xavi, Xabi, Villa, Torres and even the recently unconvincing Casillas, really that good? I fear that with Del Bosque or not we need to lower our expectations. I genuinely hope that I´m wrong

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