Spain has had two unsuccessful World Cup campaigns in a row and is looking for better results at the 2022 event in Qatar. The release of manager Luis Enrique's preliminary team roster drew much attention because of the depth of talent available to him.
David DeGea of Manchester United and Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea were confirmed to be not included when Sarri revealed his final 26-man squad on November 11. Which goalkeepers will Spain bring to the 2022 World Cup, who will start, and why has David de Gea fallen from favor?
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Enrique named five goalkeepers to his preliminary roster for Qatar before eliminating two of them. Three now suit up for Premier League clubs, while the other two play in Spain's La Liga.
Three of the five goalkeepers have only two caps, making the group rather inexperienced at the national team level. After the final 26-man roster was revealed, it was announced that Unai Simon, David Raya, and Robert Sanchez would make the trip to Qatar. Defending goalkeeper David de Gea has been snubbed from the Spanish national team.
The 31-year-old is still a mainstay with the Red Devils, although he hasn't played for Spain since their 1-0 defeat to Ukraine on October 13, 2020. De Gea started for Spain at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but the team was eliminated in the round of 16. He allowed six goals on seven shots on goal.
Last year, Enrique included De Gea in his roster for Euro 2020. However, he has not played with the team since then, and he has recently hinted that De Gea lacks the qualities he looks for in a goalkeeper. According to Enrique, goalkeepers must dominate aerial play and start the play in June 2022.
“I need a goalkeeper that radiates tranquility and calmness to me - and that doesn’t mean they won’t make mistakes; errors are part of football." De Gea has more international experience than any of the five goalkeepers Enrique originally considered for the starting role.
So with De Gea absent, Kepa was the next most recognizable goalkeeper in Spain's squad preliminary squad. The goalkeeper for Chelsea has played for his country 11 times so far and has appeared in the UEFA Champions League this season. Kepa, however, did not cut and will not be Spain's starting goalkeeper in the 2022 World Cup. That distinction is poised to go to Athletic Bilbao's Unai Simon, who has started 20 of Spain's previous 21 matches.
The 25-year-old has been a mainstay in the national team's lineup ever since Enrique gave him his debut in November 2020 Simon has been at Athletic Bilbao since 2016, and when Kepa left for Chelsea in 2018, he became the starting goalkeeper for the team. When some fans criticized Simon in June for frequently coming out of goal to make clearances, Enrique defended him vehemently.
I feel completely at ease around him. Robert Sanchez and David Raya don't either "When questioned about Simon, Enrique answered. "The goalie is responsible for making the first decisive play. That's a field in which he excels, too. The point is, I advise him to carry it out. No matter what I try, I can't seem to get up and play. "I get that it makes some people uncomfortable, but I enjoy his aggressive style of playing.
David DeGea of Manchester United and Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea were confirmed to be not included when Sarri revealed his final 26-man squad on November 11. Which goalkeepers will Spain bring to the 2022 World Cup, who will start, and why has David de Gea fallen from favor?
Spain's World Cup 2022 GKs
Source: Getty ImagesEnrique named five goalkeepers to his preliminary roster for Qatar before eliminating two of them. Three now suit up for Premier League clubs, while the other two play in Spain's La Liga.
Three of the five goalkeepers have only two caps, making the group rather inexperienced at the national team level. After the final 26-man roster was revealed, it was announced that Unai Simon, David Raya, and Robert Sanchez would make the trip to Qatar. Defending goalkeeper David de Gea has been snubbed from the Spanish national team.
Why DeGea Doesn't Join Spain Squad
The 31-year-old is still a mainstay with the Red Devils, although he hasn't played for Spain since their 1-0 defeat to Ukraine on October 13, 2020. De Gea started for Spain at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but the team was eliminated in the round of 16. He allowed six goals on seven shots on goal.
Last year, Enrique included De Gea in his roster for Euro 2020. However, he has not played with the team since then, and he has recently hinted that De Gea lacks the qualities he looks for in a goalkeeper. According to Enrique, goalkeepers must dominate aerial play and start the play in June 2022.
“I need a goalkeeper that radiates tranquility and calmness to me - and that doesn’t mean they won’t make mistakes; errors are part of football." De Gea has more international experience than any of the five goalkeepers Enrique originally considered for the starting role.
Why Kepa Won't Start For Spain At World Cup 2022?
So with De Gea absent, Kepa was the next most recognizable goalkeeper in Spain's squad preliminary squad. The goalkeeper for Chelsea has played for his country 11 times so far and has appeared in the UEFA Champions League this season. Kepa, however, did not cut and will not be Spain's starting goalkeeper in the 2022 World Cup. That distinction is poised to go to Athletic Bilbao's Unai Simon, who has started 20 of Spain's previous 21 matches.
The 25-year-old has been a mainstay in the national team's lineup ever since Enrique gave him his debut in November 2020 Simon has been at Athletic Bilbao since 2016, and when Kepa left for Chelsea in 2018, he became the starting goalkeeper for the team. When some fans criticized Simon in June for frequently coming out of goal to make clearances, Enrique defended him vehemently.
I feel completely at ease around him. Robert Sanchez and David Raya don't either "When questioned about Simon, Enrique answered. "The goalie is responsible for making the first decisive play. That's a field in which he excels, too. The point is, I advise him to carry it out. No matter what I try, I can't seem to get up and play. "I get that it makes some people uncomfortable, but I enjoy his aggressive style of playing.