Fernando Torres

[Jype 6,398]

Thiago won't get dropped, unless it's concerns about injury.

I factored in both the injury and that he wasn't really a part of the squad for the qualifiers. With midfielders like Martinez, Busquets, Alonso, Iniesta, Xavi, Silva, Fabregas, Koke, Mata, Cazorla etc. it's hard to see a place for Thiago so no matter how good he is the fact remains some of the guys in the preliminary squad have to be dropped and if I was Del Bosque I would go for the guy who's not 100% fit and did fuck all in the qualifying campaign.

I'd definitely take Negredo ...

ST: Villa, Negredo, Costa

Yeah, probably makes sense to have at least three forwards in there even though Negredo's been out of form lately. In that case one of the midfielders would have to be dropped, maybe Navas, Mata or Cazorla.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Mata too.

From the list : Pedro, Navas, Diego Costa, Villa, Torres, Negredo, Llorente

probably only 3 or 4 will be chosen. There is no way Torres will make it.

[Jype 6,398]

carvajal has been in great form. probably the best RM defender in recent months. i would drop albiol, itturaspe, mata, llorente, torres, x,x.

True, but their squad is just too deep and some of them have to be dropped even if they deserved to be in. For right-backs, in addition to Carvajal, they have Juanfran and Azpilicueta, both of whom have also enjoyed maybe the best season of their careers. Granted I haven't watched Real Madrid enough to say for sure and my blue tinted glasses might affect my thinking but I wouldn't drop Azpi before Carvajal and Juanfran has been a part of the best defense in Europe this season so him being first choice is pretty much a no-brainer. Also in my opinion Azpilicueta would be a more preferable option to Cavajal because he can also cover Alba at left-back if needed and with Moreno almost certainly dropped they only have one proper LB.

Can't see Albiol being one of the dropped players because he's been one of VdB's favorites ever since he took over the Spain squad in 2008 and always got in even if he was just warming the bench at Real Madrid but this time he's also had a great season with Napoli. Also they only have like Ramos and Pique for CBs if they don't take Albiol. Martinez can play there if needed but he's shit as a CB.

Reckon they'll drop two of the strikers (Torres, Llorente), two of the defenders (Moreno, Carvajal/Azpi) and three of their endless selection of midfielders (Iturraspe being a clear choice and then two out of Mata, Cazorla, Navas, Thiago).

[LAM09 6,744]

I wouldn't be surprised if Torres went. He seems to be their lucky charm.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Pedro, Costa, and Negredo are a for sure.

[iseah100 5,612]

I wouldn't be surprised if Torres went. He seems to be their lucky charm.

TOP SCORER IN THE CONFEDERATIONS CUP!

Villa, Llorente, Thiago, Albiol, Carvajal, Iturraspe, and Navas probably. Damn, it's hard to make that squad. No Isco.

El NIÑOOOOOOO to Brazil!!!

[The Skipper 20,593]

All over Twitter.

Not likely to make the final 23 man squad though, there's still seven names to be dropped before the tournament and Torres has got to be the first to go. Players who will probably be dropped are for example Llorente, Negredo, Iturraspe, Thiago, Moreno and Carvajal so it's not so easy to get in the Spain squad.

Moreno, Negredo and Carvajal won't get dropped IMO. Moreno and Carvajal are both 2nd choice full backs to Alba and Azpi, and Negredo will back Costa.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Moreno, Negredo and Carvajal won't get dropped IMO. Moreno and Carvajal are both 2nd choice full backs to Alba and Azpi, and Negredo will back Costa.

Juanfran has been better than Carvajal tbf

[Jype 6,398]

Moreno, Negredo and Carvajal won't get dropped IMO. Moreno and Carvajal are both 2nd choice full backs to Alba and Azpi, and Negredo will back Costa.

Like I said in one of my later posts, Juanfran has no doubt been the best of their right-backs this season and IIRC he's also featured most often at RB in Spain's last few international friendlies. They could easily drop both Moreno and Carvajal by playing a full-back pairing of Alba and Juanfran with Azpilicueta as backup for either side, and if things got really bad for them they could also play Ramos at right-back.

Also already agreed that Negredo should probably be selected. The drop-outs will most likely be picked out of Moreno, Carvajal, Iturraspe, Thiago, Mata, Cazorla, Navas, Torres, Llorente and Villa. That's ten players, seven of which have to be dropped.

[zolayes 14,489]

just checked some stats and was surprised

for chelsea

Kalou 251 appearances goals 60 av 0.24 a game

Torres 172 appearances goals 45 av 0.26 a game .

proving Torres is a much better striker than Kalou //

Oh shit Ive just be told Kalou was often just a winger and often a sub ,,,

Perhaps we should have kept him ..

since he moved he has 26 goals in 63 games av 0.41 a game

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

How bad is Costa injury? Strangely, I have a feeling Torres will go to Brazil, if Costa couldn't make it in time.

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

How bad is Costa injury? Strangely, I have a feeling Torres will go to Brazil, if Costa couldn't make it in time.

He has already been included in the squad so he is going regardless of Costa

[The Skipper 20,593]

He has already been included in the squad so he is going regardless of Costa

Pretty sure that squad is provisional.

[Henrique 9,133]

just checked some stats and was surprised

for chelsea

Kalou 251 appearances goals 60 av 0.24 a game

Torres 172 appearances goals 45 av 0.26 a game .

proving Torres is a much better striker than Kalou //

Oh shit Ive just be told Kalou was often just a winger and often a sub ,,,

Perhaps we should have kept him ..

since he moved he has 26 goals in 63 games av 0.41 a game

Kalou was far from a great player, but to be honest I don't know if we bought players that are sooo much better since he left. Is Moses better than Kalou? Is Schurle better than Kalou? Kalou PL stats in his first season: 7 goals/5 assists. Schurle: 8 goals/2 assists.

[Yeboii 1,844]

Kalou was far from a great player, but to be honest I don't know if we bought players that are sooo much better since he left. Is Moses better than Kalou? Is Schurle better than Kalou? Kalou PL stats in his first season: 7 goals/5 assists. Schurle: 8 goals/2 assists.

Schurrle has been very good this season despite his stats. Some games have been won just because of his performances. Like the last game against Cardiff

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

I think Schurrle will become one of the most important players in the squad next year.

[iseah100 5,612]

"What was going through your mind when you ran towards the goal at Barcelona?"

Torres:"The first thing I thought was 'That pitch is too long, I couldn't reach the goal." .

Torres paid everything back with that goal, I love this dude haha. Insult me, I don't care!

[DDA 9,690]

I was watching Athletico vs Barca 08 yesterday and it was like watching Torres in a Chelsea shirt. Tripping over the ball, couldnt shoot. Sulking like a little bitch.

Such a fucking mystery !