Spain’s youth revolution: Luis Enrique calls up Barcelona teenager Ansu Fati and Manchester City’s Eric Garcia in a new-look squad for matches against Germany and Ukraine… but keeps faith with under-fire goalkeepers David de Gea and Kepa
- Spain boss Luis Enrique has named a new-look squad for upcoming games
- The team will play Germany and Ukraine in the Nations League in September
- Ansu Fati has been included at just 17 along with Man City teenager Eric Garcia
- David de Gea and Kepa Arrizabalaga make the squad despite coming under fire
Spain manager Luis Enrique has announced his squad for Nations League games against Germany and Ukraine, shaking things up with a youthful group.
Barcelona teenager Ansu Fati, who is just 17, is included after showing huge promise in his first season at the Nou Camp, while there is also space for Manchester City’s 19-year-old defender Eric Garcia after forcing his way into the first team.
Exciting prospects like Real Madrid’s Sergio Reguilon, Leipzig’s Dani Olmo were also picked by Enrique to inject life into the team as they bid to build momentum ahead of next summer’s Euros, which was delayed by a year due to the coronavirus.
Spain manager Luis Enrique has announced a new-look squad ahead of Nations League games
Barcelona teenager Ansu Fati gets the nod after catching the eye for the Spanish giants
Manchester City youngster Eric Garcia was also included after breaking into the first team
Uncapped Wolves winger Adam Traore also gets the nod after some scintellating displays under Nuno Espirito Santos in a new-look side that also features Real Madrid starlet Oscar, who has been on loan at Leganes.
Other fresh faces include new Man City recruit Ferran Torres, who just joined in a £37m deal from Valencia, and Bilbao keeper Unai Simon.
But Enrique has shown loyalty to Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea and Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga despite coming under pressure following some high-profile mistakes this season.
Both players are facing uncertainty around their futures, with Kepa being dropped by Blues boss Frank Lampard after failing to impress as Chelsea attempted to secure a Champions League spot.
There was also space for Chelsea’s Kepa (L) and United’s De Gea despite coming under fire
Meanwhile, De Gea has been slammed by fans and pundits are making some costly errors leading to goals – most recently in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea as he allowed Mason Mount’s shot to squirm underneath him.
Barcelona left back Jordi Alba, who is said to be facing an exit from the club, is left out of the team, while Atletico Madrid don’t have a single representative.
The former Barca coach announced his squad in a clip on social media, as he was filmed walking around the changing room placing face masks on lockers with the names of the players selected.
Spain will travel to Stuttgart for their first Nations League game against Germany on September 3, before welcoming Ukraine three days later.