He acquired the vision of the game, the first touch and the ability to make good selections

The team is still very far from what it has been showing in recent years, both in terms of playing and results. They have lost quality, they don’t have such determined players as Rodri, who is probably the best in the world in his position right now. He makes a difference and has leadership skills. Luis Enrique came to put him in the central defender position, probably due to a shortage in that position, at a time when he had good alternatives in midfield. The team did not have good results. Rodri showed great evolution in his position, he learned a lot in a big club. It was in the midfield that he gained the vision of the game, the ability to take the first touch and choose well between the best options he has. He is a reference footballer, who forces his teammates to grow and De la Fuente will surely give him weight in Spain’s proposal.

Rodri is a proven player profile, with Champions League level, which is few on the list in Spain. There are young footballers, who are still green in high competition, with the possibility of growth, but there is no team at the level it was years ago. This is the conclusion we reach if we analyze the team by player.

Croatia is a good choice. He is giving the last blows to the generation, but he is still beating his chest. I think it will be an even game in every way and I don’t expect to see a brilliant game from Spain, who have been trying for years to reach the dominance they have had, but I don’t see that capacity. It’s not that I don’t want or that I want to play something else. He pretends, but he can’t. It’s a matter of talent. De la Fuente is still looking for him, but it is costing him and he has a lot of work ahead of him for the next few years.