Transfer Drama Affecting Performance of Spain National Team
On the face of it, it seems that the Spanish team is hopeful and full of optimism at the moment, but a behind-the-scenes look showcases a lot of potential worries for Vicente Del Bosque, the coach of the National side, while preparing for the final showdown. The biggest concern would be to avoid a drama similar to that of the semi-final loss in the Confederations Cup. After being thrown out in the semis, Spanish striker David Villa admitted that he lost his focus in the game because of transfer rumours and the keen interest shown in him by Real Madrid. This time he was smart enough to conclude a move to Barcelona, thus settling down before the biggest clash in the Football world.
The Spanish team is full of superstars that can play all over the field, and each star is the centre of attention of the biggest clubs in the world. Although Villa got himself out of the convolution, but many of his teammates are jumbled up in the football clubs’ transfer drama. This drama, once again, is full of gossips and rumours, where an interest shown by the biggest Clubs (of the likes of Barcelona, Madrid and Chelsea) is good enough to unsettle a player and make him lose his concentration. The road ahead, therefore, could be intriguing or may be nerve-racking, especially for the Spanish coach, and maybe for the players as well.
It has been proven historically that the Clubs do a lot to unsettle a player during the major competitions, when the transfer market is still on. The pitiable performance by England in the 2006 World Cup led Steven Gerrard to admit that he lost his concentration because he was being hunted down by the Chelsea Football Club. Similarly, Cristiano Ronaldo has under-performed a number of times because of this mouse-chase by the big cats. This year’s story may not be any different. The first name from the Spanish National Side that pops into the minds of experts is Cesc Fabregas, a world-class Arsenal midfielder.
Cesc Fabregas has been playing for Arsenal for seven years now, but his dream of winning trophies still remains unfulfilled. Also, Barcelona is his hometown and he is eager to return home and play for his mother club. He has himself said that he was ‘500% sure’ that he wanted to join Barcelona and play his football there. Arsène Wenger, however, is still unsure about letting his captain go, as it would create a void in the Club that would not be filled easily. Barcelona, on the other hand, is showing a lot of interest in the midfielder, and at this particular moment they seem determined to bring Cesc home. Unfortunately for Fabregas, and for Spain, there is no hope that this drama would see its climax before the Finals of the World Cup. This has done a lot of damage to the player who has been saying that at this particular moment he wants to focus on the World Cup. But his statements are a clear indication that the focus of the midfielder is on his future in the Club world, because that future determines his bread and butter.
Fernando Torres, who is probably the best Centre Forward in the world right now, will also find himself in worrisome times. The player left Atlético Madrid and joined Liverpool in a quest of trophies, but sadly, Liverpool is steadily deteriorating and finished the season placing a humble 7th on the table. It is certain that now Fernando is looking for other options and Chelsea, the champions of England, seem eager to hire him for his expertise. The doubtful future of Torres would ultimately be troublesome for the manager, who would want his best striker to be on his best game, as Spain’s bench also lacks depth in the strikers and the centre-forwards.
As soon as Barcelona clinched the deal for Valencia’s superstar David Villa, Madrid compellingly went for the other half of the deadly duo, his teammate at Valencia, David Silva. Silva is also one of the best midfielders in the world, as his attacking runs are always sharp enough to cut through any opposition defence. He is one of the most important assets of his National team, but Real Madrid is doing its best in unsettling the player. This could be really troublesome for Vicente Del Bosque, if a player of this calibre loses his focus just before the final showdown in South Africa.
It is definitely a hard job to be a coach of stars of such brilliance, as most of Del Bosque’s energies would focus on rebuilding the concentration of some of his best players. This is necessary to make the Spanish dream of winning the Football World Cup come true.
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