Veteran national coach Luis de la Fuente spoke ahead of upcoming matches against Cyprus and Georgia, revisiting his selection framework and assessing the current state of the national team. He reflected on the conversations surrounding Isco and several other players who were mentioned but ultimately did not make the final list. His explanation centered on balancing fairness to those who are called with the unavoidable sense of disappointment felt by those who aren’t selected. A core principle he consistently upholds is character; he believes strong character builds trust within the squad and becomes a decisive factor when pushing for results. The ethos he communicates is that the idea behind the project matters more than any individual system, a message that the players have echoed with their performances and commitment.
Pedri’s status and future planning
On the subject of Pedri, de la Fuente stated that he did not speak with the Barcelona midfielder directly in that moment but maintained a steady line of communication with the player’s club. Pedri is not dealing with an injury, and the coach keeps touch with players to stay close whenever injuries or absences occur. Pedri remains recognized as a top-tier talent, and the coach emphasized confidence in his capabilities across all facets of the game. When questions turned to the future, the coach expressed satisfaction with Pedri’s current situation and noted that if negotiations were to arise and both sides were content, the process could advance. The contract is set to run through June 30, after which decisions would be evaluated in light of evolving circumstances.
New names, injuries, and positional versatility
News from the national team setup indicated that Laporte, unable to participate due to an injury, sustained a cut on the sole of his foot that required stitches. Balde will not take part for tactical reasons, though he has the coach’s encouragement to keep pushing forward. Regarding the fresh names on the list, the coach highlighted the value of a versatile player who can adapt to multiple positions and who has previously been identified at the U-19 level. Riquelme was described as someone who spent two notable years with the U-21 squad and is now making waves at the club level. His adaptability and high talent level were underscored, with confidence about his potential impact on the senior team.
Evaluation and the path to the European competition
The coach concluded with a candid assessment of the elimination phase, stressing the need to improve across all facets of the team and to win as many matches as possible. He underlined the importance of a thorough review to identify actionable improvements and urged the squad to work on every aspect of performance. Gratitude came up frequently in the dialogue, and he signaled optimism that the situation could be elevated further. He also confirmed that the group for the European Cup is nearing full strength, signaling a promising preparation landscape for the campaign ahead. The overarching message was one of collective responsibility and continuous growth as the team builds toward its continental objectives.
In remarks about Pedri, the U-21 coaching staff noted that although de la Fuente did not call Pedri, the midfielder has logged substantial minutes with both Barcelona and the national team. The strategic objective remains clear for the future, with the understanding that minutes at the club level cannot always be controlled. The relationship with de la Fuente during list preparation was described as straightforward, centered on a shared aim to reach the absolute best configuration for the squad. Clubs were reminded that investing in a robust youth pipeline can yield strong, affordable results over time, reinforcing the long-term health of the national program.