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Spanish Inquisition: Will Cesc Fabregas & Fernando Torres' uncertain futures harm Spain's World Cup quest?
Transfer speculation at club level could disrupt La Roja...
28 May 2010 15:26:00
By Paul Macdonald
Has there ever been a more fancied favourite in World Cup history than Spain in South Africa 2010?
The likes of France in 2002, Brazil in 1998, the Dutch in 1974, even as far back as Hungary in 1954 and, infamously, A Selecao in 1950 were all expected to underpin their superiority by clinching their place in history. All had an air of invincibility, but with worthy adversaries - Spain look to be at their best when a number of major international sides are in the process of reconstruction.
Regardless, the common denominator of all of the teams above is of course that while they were deemed at the time to be the best side in that particular tournament, none of them emerged victorious, and La Furia Roja face a similar problem this time round.
Vicente del Bosque’s men have been placed on the ‘best team in the world’ pedestal since their triumph at Euro 2008 and subsequent unbeaten run, but, inevitably, the closer the tournament becomes, doubts drift into the psyche and individual players' circumstances can impact negatively on the display of the whole.
Citing particular examples, the mindsets of Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas could potentially have a detrimental influence on the build-up to Spain’s biggest-ever tournament. With the transfer furore and media cavalcade endlessly speculating on their post-World Cup destination, will their eye truly be on the ball?
Villa Vilified?
David Villa decided that incessant conjecture over Valencia being forced into a Mestalla fire-sale ruined his concentration during the 2009 Confederations Cup, and he wasn’t going to allow the rumour mill to ruin his World Cup, too. He clinched his deal to Barcelona in a matter of days, allowing himself a degree of certainty that will permit him to focus on the task in hand.
For all the vast sums of money players accumulate, in many cases peace of mind is tantamount to form. How many stars’ seasons have fizzled out after an unsubstantiated transfer rumour shook them off their stride? Recently, England midfielder Steven Gerrard admitted as much, commenting that the interest from Chelsea pre-World Cup 2006 caused his mind to wander and adversely affected his ability on the pitch. In short, players like to know where they will be on Matchday One of the next season.
It’s a natural tendency for an individual to secure their livelihood, and given Fabregas’ recent confession that he is ‘500% sure’ he wants to rejoin Barcelona, his head may be in La Roja’s training camp, but his heart lies in Catalunya. Cesc is pining for a return home, and unfortunately for Spain, it doesn’t look likely this side of South Africa. Mentally, he won’t be ready for football until his club career is determined.
To further compound the problem, physically, he may not be ready either. The injury sustained in the Champions League battle with the Blaugrana has kept him out of action to date, and mental steadfastness is intrinsically linked to physical well-being – if Fabregas isn’t completely focused on a rehabilitation programme, there is the possibility that his return could be delayed.
The likes of France in 2002, Brazil in 1998, the Dutch in 1974, even as far back as Hungary in 1954 and, infamously, A Selecao in 1950 were all expected to underpin their superiority by clinching their place in history. All had an air of invincibility, but with worthy adversaries - Spain look to be at their best when a number of major international sides are in the process of reconstruction.
| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.50 | Draw £90.00 | China £260.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.80 | Draw £100.00 | China £230.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.83 | Draw £100.00 | China £210.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.80 | Draw £100.00 | China £260.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.70 | Draw £125.00 | China £250.00 |
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Regardless, the common denominator of all of the teams above is of course that while they were deemed at the time to be the best side in that particular tournament, none of them emerged victorious, and La Furia Roja face a similar problem this time round.
Vicente del Bosque’s men have been placed on the ‘best team in the world’ pedestal since their triumph at Euro 2008 and subsequent unbeaten run, but, inevitably, the closer the tournament becomes, doubts drift into the psyche and individual players' circumstances can impact negatively on the display of the whole.
Citing particular examples, the mindsets of Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas could potentially have a detrimental influence on the build-up to Spain’s biggest-ever tournament. With the transfer furore and media cavalcade endlessly speculating on their post-World Cup destination, will their eye truly be on the ball?
Villa Vilified?
David Villa decided that incessant conjecture over Valencia being forced into a Mestalla fire-sale ruined his concentration during the 2009 Confederations Cup, and he wasn’t going to allow the rumour mill to ruin his World Cup, too. He clinched his deal to Barcelona in a matter of days, allowing himself a degree of certainty that will permit him to focus on the task in hand.
For all the vast sums of money players accumulate, in many cases peace of mind is tantamount to form. How many stars’ seasons have fizzled out after an unsubstantiated transfer rumour shook them off their stride? Recently, England midfielder Steven Gerrard admitted as much, commenting that the interest from Chelsea pre-World Cup 2006 caused his mind to wander and adversely affected his ability on the pitch. In short, players like to know where they will be on Matchday One of the next season.
It’s a natural tendency for an individual to secure their livelihood, and given Fabregas’ recent confession that he is ‘500% sure’ he wants to rejoin Barcelona, his head may be in La Roja’s training camp, but his heart lies in Catalunya. Cesc is pining for a return home, and unfortunately for Spain, it doesn’t look likely this side of South Africa. Mentally, he won’t be ready for football until his club career is determined.
To further compound the problem, physically, he may not be ready either. The injury sustained in the Champions League battle with the Blaugrana has kept him out of action to date, and mental steadfastness is intrinsically linked to physical well-being – if Fabregas isn’t completely focused on a rehabilitation programme, there is the possibility that his return could be delayed.
Move on the mind | Cesc set on a return to Barcelona
Fernando Torres is suffering from almost identical symptoms as his Premier League counterpart. A disjointed, injury-hit campaign was smattered with moments of genius (such as the opening goal versus Sunderland in March) to remind the Liverpool faithful just why they continue to adore him; but his absence is directly correlated to an alarmingly sub-standard season for Rafa Benitez’s men.
Seventh place is not what El Nino signed up for – he came to England to win major honours, and although his agent insists that his future is at Anfield, the player himself refuses to commit, and should a tantalising carrot be dangled from a more affluent club, like say, Barcelona, it would be ludicrous for Torres not to consider his position.
Like Cesc, he is carrying an injury, and needs to be completely settled in order to psychologically attune for what is a gruelling month of football. An unsettling home life transmits into an attitude of dissatisfaction, and can be difficult to shake off.
What coach Vicente del Bosque must analyse is precisely the extent to which both players are currently being influenced by external factors; endless interviews, agent telephone calls, and discussions with family, friends, colleagues old and prospective can all prove to be a significant strain.
Perversely, the fact that both were doubts for the final squad through injury will have led to del Bosque developing a plan ‘B’, to tinker with his starting XI in the event that either Cesc or Nando, or both, are unavailable.
Indeed, there has already been a practical testing, in the 2-0 friendly defeat of France in Paris. Spain operated a 4-2-3-1 formation, differing from their conventional 4-4-2, with David Villa the sole striker. Yes, Cesc played in this match, but only to test the opposite eventuality, i.e. Spain’s ability to function without Xavi, who slotted in seamlessly in the second half of the match. In short, del Bosque’s team appear to be capable and formidable without two of their finest talents.
However, Torres and Cesc may use their time at the tournament to dismiss their own personal problems, and be as prominent and essential to the Spanish Armada as they have always been. Both players are professionals, and would not knowingly disturb the harmony of the squad in that one month period where, by some of the players' own admission, is Spain's best chance to win the World Cup.
But will the fact that Fabregas in particular has declared his desire to leave his club bring adverse attention and focus to a squad who otherwise appear ready to conquer the world.
Only time will tell.
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