Premier Leagues Spanish duo has failed to live up to the hype
Two of the most impressive premier league stars failing to perform for Spain so far in the World Cup have been Fernando Torres and Fabregas. They have not been featured prominently enough for Spain in the World Cup so far which is a huge disappointment. This is an immensely disappointing situation, given that they have been quite superb in their displays for Liverpool and Arsenal in the English Premier League respectively.
For Fernando Torres, the FIFA 2010 World Cup has not been the most delightful of experiences. The Madrid born Spanish striker has been on fire for Liverpool ever since he completed his move to Merseyside from his home club Athletico Madrid. It is not surprising that Torres has not performed in his national colors so far because his form for Spain during the qualification was abysmal. He failed to score in any of their ten qualification games for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Torres’s most famous goal for Spain so far, has been in the final of the European Championships of 2008. That goal propelled him to international fame and made him one of those superstars who can not only perform for their club but for also their country. It seems as though this status is gradually fading away though.
Torres’s lack of form for his national team has given rise to a new debate, which is very similar to the debate that has been going on in England over the past six years. This being 'can Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard perform together in a single English team?' Spaniards are now arguing whether the case would be similar when it comes to David Villa and Fernando Torres. Both of these superstars are world class strikers however there is doubt whether they can both play together effectively in a single Spanish team.
It is safe to say that both of these players have produced their most impressive displays for Spain when they have performed upfront on their own. Fernando Torres has looked massively uncomfortable when paired upfront with Villa so far.
It is arguable that Torres is the more physically fit and faster of the two and thus he should start every game as the sole striker upfront, however Villa’s form so far for his national team has been outstanding, this amazing form has made him the top goal scorer in the World Cup so far.
However it does not look as if, Vicente Del Bosque believes this theory. He has so far started Torres in 19 of the 23 games he has been available in. Also, it should be noted that Torres is currently recovering from a knee injury suffered during the premier league season with Liverpool. Del Bosque might be of the view that more game time might result in him gaining more match fitness and sharpness along the way.
As for Cesc Fabregas, the Arsenal captain has spent much of his time with the Spanish national team, on the bench. The young midfielder has said in the past that under Spain’s former coach Luis Aragones, he was always the number twelve and was a replacement for anyone who got injured.
Under Spain’s new coach Del Bosque, Fabregas has continued his role on the bench. So far Del Bosque has been playing with Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets in midfield. All three of these midfielders are from Barcelona, a club which has been linked heavily with a move for the Arsenal midfield man.
Fabregas’s experiences with Spain might actually deter him from a move towards Barcelona in Cataluña. As these three players start day in and day out for Barcelona as well. What will happen if Fabregas moves to Barcelona but is confined to the bench again?
However, the lure of success at the Catalan club might prove to be too great in the end for Cesc Fabregas. Whatever happens on the transfer front, a lot of football is yet to be played in the World Cup. Spain might face either Argentina or Germany, should they beat Paraguay, and progress to the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
If the Spaniards get to the final they have potential opponents in Brazil, all of these teams might test Spain differently, which means that Cesc or Torres might be called upon to fight from the Spanish side. Something that every premier league fan will be looking forward to.
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