Does http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-c34888 Alcantara warrant a Spanish national team call up - La Liga Debate
Thiago Alcantara has been ever-present in the news in the current transfer window. From his outstanding performances for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 U21 side to being the likely heir to Xavi, he has become a press darling. The Spaniard has earned a call up to
Vicente del Bosque’s all conquering Spanish side, as another milestone achieved in his short footballing career.
Thiago is rated very highly at Camp Nou by the backroom staff who have overseen him develop since he was 14. Son of Brazilian world cup winner, Mazinho, Alcantara has been groomed in La Masia’s footballing philosophy. Regarded as the genuine replacement
of ageing midfield general, Xavi Hernandez, a lot is expected of the 20-year-old midfielder.
Alcantara was the spine of U21 Spain team that won the U21 European Championship. He was ever present in their run in to the final, where they faced http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Switzerland-c3016. Spain won that game rather comfortably by a 2-0 margin, and Alcantara won the man of the match
award for yet another blistering performance. He was also awarded player of the tournament award for his dazzling outings throughout the tournament.
In the preseason, the youngster has been phenomenal. Alcantara has been the spine of Barcelona squad as they took on one European rival after another. Composed in possession and reliable on the ball, Alcantara has dominated midfields of illustrious European
clubs, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, among others.
For his brilliant performances for the Spain U21 team, and Barcelona in the preseason friendlies, Alcantara has earned a call up to La Roja. His inclusion in the preliminary squad raises the question: does he merit a place on the roster to play against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Italy-c2926
in Bari?
The San Pietro Vernotico-born player has little playing experience compared to some, and Spain cannot put the upcoming youngster in the national team. Alcantara can boast 59 appearances in the second and third tier of Spanish football for the Barcelona B
team. But he has only made 20 first team appearances for the Catalan first team in La Liga. His experience does not justify his inclusion in the squad.
Bringing the U21 star on to the International stage is a premature decision based on his outings for youth teams on the national setup. The quality of opposition Thiago faced in the U21 Championship is starkly inferior to what he will be put up against with
La Roja senior. Bossing boys of similar age is easier as compared to taking on seasoned campaigners, battle hardened over the course of many years. His selection on the basis of such claims stands little ground.
Judging Thiago’s calibre as a professional fit enough to represent La Furia Roja on his preseason performances is not the right litmus test. In the preseason, it is difficult to gauge the opposition as friendlies are used to return the group to full fitness.
Bossing teams at this junction is different from repeating the feats during the league campaign
It is difficult to understand why Alcantara has been brought into La Furia Roja squad. He still has a lot prove before earning his first cap. His inclusion in the roster looks more of statement of intent from coach, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 del Bosque, that he considers
the youngster as an important part of the future. He has the option to play for either Spain or http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brazil-c2858; inclusion will serve little but tie him to the Spanish setup early on in his career.
Disclaimer: Views expressed here are the writer’s own and in no way represent bettor.com’s official editorial policy
Tags: