Spain

[DonAndres]

Today's Atletico vs Malaga match held huge statement as to how Koke deserves to not only be in the WC squad, but could very well warrant a starting position as well. 6 tackles, 81 percent passing accuracy, 2 key passes, and a goal. He's incredibly versatile, incredibly mobile, has high energy and workrate, a great direct passer, technically sound, and would slot right into Alonso's spot.

 

[Semi-Neutral]

VdB should troll everyone and alternate between these two lineups

and

 

[Cule4life]

Today's Atletico vs Malaga match held huge statement as to how Koke deserves to not only be in the WC squad, but could very well warrant a starting position as well. 6 tackles, 81 percent passing accuracy, 2 key passes, and a goal. He's incredibly versatile, incredibly mobile, has high energy and workrate, a great direct passer, technically sound, and would slot right into Alonso's spot.

I agree but Alonso has the experience of being on the big stage. Plus his passing range is better and he is better at breaking up opposition attacks IMO.

 

[coura]

Diego Costa will be pivotal.

 

[DonAndres]

I agree but Alonso has the experience of being on the big stage. Plus his passing range is better and he is better at breaking up opposition attacks IMO.

I agree somewhat in those respects. His experience is something he definitely has over Koke. Passing range may be better, but his passing overall is way too slow and irregular in comparison to everyone else in the team which makes him stick out. He can sometimes break up attacks but he can't run at all so he spends most of the time fouling.

The advantage he provides for Spain is giving an extra physical defensive mid for solidity, but then they also have to deal with him slowing down play and being a bad fit overall. Koke has the defensive upside, but he has nothing but positive traits to add in buildup play unlike Alonso. Plus his defensive style is more suited (pressing, rather than brute tackling).

 

[DonAndres]

Del Bosque (coach ESP): "Muniain, Morata, Jese, Deulofeu, Moreno, Montoya, Carvajal, Bartra, Nacho... can all still be at World Cup." [lfm]

I think that means that the likes of Koke, Isco, and maybe Thiago(?) are currently locked for the WC, barring any change in trajectory. He's definitely had them in his thoughts so it's not like he "forgot" them from the list he mentioned of youngsters with a slight chance. I think Bartra, Muniain, Moreno, and Jese are the most likely out of those above who have what it takes to convince him in the next few months. It's not that the others lack ability, it's that they're a little too behind to sway him enough by now.

 

[te amo barca]

Spain at World Cup 2018

De Gea
Montoya (Azpilicueta, Carvajal) - Pique - Ramos (Bartra?) - Alba
Busquets Thiago (Koke)
Isco
Deulofeu Fabregas??? Jese​

 

[Djab]

Spain at World Cup 2018

De Gea
Montoya - Pique - Bartra - Alba
Busquets
Suarez Fabregas
Deulofeu Costa Jese​

Fixed.
#Unbiased

 

[Cule4life]

Isco doesnt work in a 4-3-3

De Gea
Montoya/Azpi Pique/Inigo Ramos/Bartra Alba/Alberto Moreno
Busquets Javi Martinez/Koke
Deulofeu/Pedro Isco/Cesc Jese/Iniesta
Diego Costa/Negredo

 

[Martindn]

Whats the chance of our Dave going to brazil? If not who is he currently behind in terms on choice?

 

[Semi-Neutral]

I don't see him going, I'm pretty sure he's behind Iker and Valdes, maybe even Lopez as well, in the best case he'll be on the bench.

 

[DonAndres]

Whats the chance of our Dave going to brazil? If not who is he currently behind in terms on choice?

Should be higher than Reina and Lopez, but it's hard to tell as of now. He deserves to go, though he wouldn't get any playing time.

 

[Flavia]

2nd kit for the wc:

 

[Jenks]

I think that's one of those kits that'll look tacky up close but great on the pitch.

 

[Stric]

I like the second kit. The first one is blah... I'll never get over the 2012 EC kit. That's one of my all time favorite kits, if not THE favorite.