Is the Spain Squad Good Enough to win the European Championships Again?

Spain are one of the favourites to win Euro 2016 but their squad is much different from the ones that won Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 – can they retain their European crown?

Coming into this tournament as the current Champions having won it back to back in 2008 and 2012 they will be aiming to lift the trophy for a third consecutive time. Spain were a formidable force during theose times above as they even lifted the world cup in 2010, they are the only international side to win these three competitions back to back. Although they haven’t performed very well of late there is no reason why they can’t put up a fight.

 

Spain’s Group: Group D

Next we’ll take a look through Euro 2016 Group D, this is where Spain find themselves this summer alongside the Czech Republic, Turkey and Croatia. This group is being tipped as the most excitable, even I wouldn’t like to put a bet on who goes through. All teams here are capable of beating each other which really does set us up for an exciting watch. Spain are capable of picking teams apart with their passing. Czech Republic do not have much to offer but they do have a good record behind them. Turkey knocked out the last World Cup’s third place finishers Netherlands, proving they have ability in their ranks and finally Croatia, who possess a quality midfield along with some young exciting players will not make an easy game for anyone.

 

Spain’s Squad for Euro 2016

Now we’ll take a look through the Spanish squad and who we can expect to see in the first starting 11 for Del Bosque.

 

Goalkeeper

In goal Spain do have quality, the boss has experimented with the very experienced Casillas and David De Gea. Personally I think it’s time for De Gea to take the number one spot for good, if you watch him in the Premier League you can see why he is being tipped as one of the best keepers in the world, he has saved United at so many points this season alone, if you look back at last year as well you can see why.

Should David De Gea be the Spain number 1 at Euro 2016?

 

Defenders

At the back Spain boast many big names, listing them here would take up most of the page. The players in their squad currently play for some of Europe’s top clubs and will be used to the pressure of the big stage. It may be difficult for Del Bosque to pick his back four but if you look at his most used players we are likely to see Jordi Alba, Juanfran, Pique, Ramos and possibly Bernat on the pitch as they will try to help Spain progress.

 

Midfielders

Now onto the midfield, this is the part of the pitch that can really come alive, they can string numerous technical plays together tearing through the opposition’s midfield and defence before unleashing a killer ball for their striker to put away. Many of these lads again are experienced in the top divisions as well as on the international stage, something which will definitely help them in the group stages of Euro 2016. Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, Iniesta, Isco, Mata, Koke, Santi Cazorla, David Silva and Thiago Alcantara are names we are all familiar with and have featured the most under the boss. Most of these are in what we call the “peak” age so you'd expect big things. They are all individually fantastic players and when playing at club level they have shown us why. Will they be able to play together this summer and put club differences aside? If they can do, this is a midfield that anyone should fear.

Inistea will be Spain's pivotal midfielder at Euro 2016

 

Strikers

Finally, on to the strike force available for Spain, they have generally lacked a permanent striker of late, with the boss trying many different options and not actually sticking with the same one for very long. They have usually relied on the talent in the middle of the park to get them through, now let’s see what they have. The names of Callejon, Morata, Nolito, Alcacer and Pedro are names we will all recognise and they are expected to be included in the squad and they have given the boss a reason to pick them. Keep an eye out for Aduriz, although at 35 years of age many would put him out of the squad, he has just broken into the squad and with 33 goals this season for his club Bilbao he is definitely worth looking out for. However, for me one man that will lead the lineup will be Diego Costa. He possesses the flair and fight a striker needs, he has the ability to score from nothing and cause murder for defenders. Since Gus has taken over at the Bridge we have seen Costa come alive again and if he keeps it up through the summer, he is definitely a man who can punish the opposition.