Luis de la Fuente, during the celebration of Coaches’ Day in Pontevedra, appreciated the very busy football calendar and the possibility of striking footballers. He also spoke about the terrible injury of Rodri, who will miss the whole season, and did not close the door of the Spanish team to players like Iago Aspaswho is playing at a high level at Celta de Vigo at the start of the season.
“First of all, health, in terms of the future, is wonderful. Spanish football has a wonderful future. We, the Spanish Football Federation, always take care and prioritize the health of the footballer. And now we see that unfortunately there are many injured. Rodri is one of them. From here I send you a big hug. Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak with him and his family. And let’s hope he recovers soon”, began the Spanish coach, highlighting a week before giving his second list of the season next Friday.
“And regarding the matches, you have to find a balance. When the parties involved have to sit down at a table to negotiate and talk about the future of this calendar, it is time to realize that this balance is indeed necessary between the matches to be played and the health of the footballer. But that is not our concern. We only have the possibility of having the players at the right times and that’s what we do. And take good care of them. But for the good of football, an agreement is reached and this balance between competition and health is achieved,” said Luis de la Fuente.
“They are two great footballers (Mingueza and Aspas). Mingueza has been with me in the under-19 team, under-21 team, at the Olympics and now in the senior team. And Iago Aspas, with the latest international cap, also accompanied me. Good footballers always have the doors open to the Spanish team. Fortunately, there is a lot of competition. Besides, they are two great people who I admire too,” said the national coach.
“Jesús Navas was older (on Aspas). So I don’t look at the ID card. Neither up nor down. Lamine Yamal arrived at the age of 16. “It’s about recruiting the best players,” Luis de la Fuente said.
“Rodri is a huge loss for us. The best in the world in his position and an irreplaceable player, but we are lucky to have, in my opinion, the second best in the world in this position, which is Martín Zubimendi”, concluded Luis de la Fuente about the replacement of Rodri in the center of the Spanish countryside.
