Spain’s national team may be riding high after lifting the UEFA Nations League and the European Championship, but questions continue to swirl around some of the coaching staff’s decisions.
While results have been largely positive under Luis de la Fuente, analysts and observers argue that certain key positions lack the strongest possible options — especially between the posts.
According to sources inside the Spanish Football Federation, the coaching staff remains firmly committed to David Raya, Álex Remiro, and Unai Simón, with the latter consistently preferred as the starting goalkeeper despite a series of costly errors.
Meanwhile, a new contender has emerged. Juan García, who earned the La Liga Best Goalkeeper award (EA Sports) last season, is pushing hard for recognition. His heroics with Espanyol not only ensured the club’s survival but also caught the eye of Barcelona, who activated his €25 million release clause over the summer.
At 24, García refused to settle for a backup role and has already impressed Barça’s staff with commanding displays. His standout performance against Rayo Vallecano — highlighted by several decisive saves — won praise from both Joan Laporta and Deco.
Yet despite his rise, García remains overlooked by De la Fuente. No official explanation has been given for his omission, even as public calls grow louder for him to be included in the national setup.
Critics argue that De la Fuente’s tendency to rely on “fixed names” has left him blind to García’s quality, with many considering the Barcelona keeper one of the finest in Spain — and potentially in Europe.
For now, the decision rests with the coaching staff. But with each commanding performance García delivers, the pressure on La Roja’s manager to hand him a long-overdue call-up will only intensify.
