The Spanish football coach, Luis de la Fuente, has reiterated that Lamine Yamal is «a special footballer» and has stated that he is not concerned about seeing him on vacation with Neymar, in addition to affirming that Joan García has «the doors of the national team open if he continues on this path» and that Dean Huijsen «has the potential to be a very good footballer if he is lucky with injuries.»
«We all see that he is a special footballer, but everything has a process. He is very clear about it, focused, I think he is very mature for his age. He knows what he has in his hands, it would not do him any favors if we just flatter him,» he declared in an interview with El Partidazo de COPE by Juanma Castaño. «I heard that Lamine lacks goals, oh my… I said, I live in a world of Martians,» he joked.
He is also not concerned about the Barcelona forward having fun going to Brazil with Neymar. «In Spanish football, if they think they will reach the top without working, they are mistaken. Lamine will have to have fun, I am not worried about seeing him with Neymar. He will not be sitting around all day, in life there are moments for everything,» he said.
Regarding a potential teammate for Lamine at Barcelona, goalkeeper Joan García, he stated that «if he continues on this path, he has the doors of the national team open.» «He was with me in the U-21s, I know him well. He will have an opportunity if he earns it. In Spain, we have the best goalkeepers in the world. It is very difficult to be part of the national team’s goalkeeping team,» he said.
About Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen, he admitted that he had «no doubts in calling him up» for the national team. «Some media would be surprised… we have to respect the work of the professionals, we know the players. If he is lucky with injuries, he has the potential to be a very good footballer,» he ventured.
However, he did not want to take sides on where he prefers Athletic Club’s forward Nico Williams, who is coveted by FC Barcelona, to play. «I have no preferences, I want him to play and be healthy. I have never hidden that I am a lifelong Athletic fan, but I have a responsibility to Spanish football. I want him to be happy, healthy, and play where he needs to play,» he wished.
He also discussed goalkeeper Unai Simón, emphasizing that he was questioned and told that he was not ready to be an international. «I do read what others say about people, not about me. I have to keep that under control, I have to be with the player, I am interested in knowing things that could affect him,» he affirmed, before refusing to comment on Iñigo Martínez. «The only motivation I have in my decisions is sports-related. There may be people with other interests. I choose those I believe are the best,» he assured.
He also avoided the debate on whether he should call up a player who waves an independentist flag. «I do not get involved in that issue. I want people who are committed, involved, with a sense of belonging. I make sporting decisions. I have never met anyone who has told me they do not want to come to the national team,» he expressed.
«All the decisions I make are made entirely freely, nothing and no one influences me. I have never received pressure from any club. Has any player ever asked me not to go? Never, on the contrary, players would come even on crutches,» he continued.
On another note, he recalled the penalty missed by Álvaro Morata in the Nations League final. «I was convinced he was going to score and make us champions, with the reassurance that he is one of our specialists. Of course, I would give him that penalty again. He was ready. He took it with full conviction, I thought he was going to give us glory. The responsibility is mine because I chose the five takers,» he stated.
Regarding the forward’s continuity in the call-ups, he explained that he does not favor him «on a whim.» «When I decide to do without any of them, it will be an exercise in honesty, there will be no conflicts. Morata will have the doors of the national team open with me, but I don’t know if it will be to play as a ‘9’ or for another role like adding to the group, he is a very funny guy. If someone understands that he should be a starter, either I am not explaining well or he is not understanding well. He has the same right as anyone else, that does not mean he will be there in September or at the World Cup, there is a long way to go,» he stated.
«I HAVE NO EXPIRATION DATE, I FEEL STRONG»
De la Fuente also acknowledged that he would «like» to coach the national team in the World Cup in Spain, although he is realistic. «I know how this works, you are always closer to the end of cycles. I am happy at the federation and leading my country’s national team, it is the best thing that can happen to an athlete. Right now, we have a fantastic relationship. There is no commitment, when it has to end, it will end. I have no expiration date, I feel strong. I want to continue with the national team,» he emphasized.
On a different note, he lamented the end of Santi Denia’s tenure as U-21 national team coach, whom he regards as «a member of the family.» «I saw him as the future head coach of the national team,» he admitted, before discussing the possibility of Raúl González Blanco taking his place. «I know him from the coaching course and we have shared moments. I have not been consulted, I do not know if the news is true. I do not have to give an opinion, the RFEF needs to know the profile they want. Whoever comes will be well received and supported,» he indicated.
Finally, he considered it «time to sit down» to discuss the tight schedule and «find solutions.» It is not valid to say in February that there are many matches, we already know that in July. If it continues as it is, it is because all parties accept it. I do not have to make requests. It is not my role, no one has asked me. There are many matches, they need to come to an agreement. What cannot be is hypocrisy. It cannot be that they complain in October when the schedule has been known since July,» he concluded.
FUENTE