Spain coach Luis de la Fuente defended Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya amid discussions over the national team's first-choice keeper for this summer's World Cup. After a 3-0 friendly win over Serbia, De la Fuente expressed full confidence in Raya, Unai Simon, Joan Garcia and Alex Remiro. He highlighted their camaraderie and individual strengths.
Luis de la Fuente addressed the ongoing debate about Spain's number one goalkeeper following Friday's 3-0 friendly victory against Serbia, where Unai Simon started and played the full 90 minutes. David Raya and Alex Remiro sat as unused substitutes, while Joan Garcia was also in the squad. De la Fuente insisted he has no doubts about any of his options ahead of the World Cup. 'I have complete confidence in them. There’s something special about them,' he said. He noted the positive team spirit among the keepers, adding, 'The best news is seeing that all four goalkeepers, regardless of who was left out, embraced each other and are encouraging one another.' De la Fuente praised Simon's established status, calling him 'indisputable' due to his quality, class and career, particularly after leading Spain to Euro 2024 success. Yet he pushed back on the lack of attention for Raya, saying, 'In England, they consider him the best goalkeeper in the world, and here nobody talks about him.' He equally commended Remiro and Garcia, stating, 'Raya is a fantastic goalkeeper, and Alex Remiro is just as good.' Spain faces Egypt in their next friendly on Tuesday, but De la Fuente declined to confirm playing time for the challengers. 'Let’s wait and see, don’t be in such a hurry,' he advised, emphasizing the need to respect the position's demands.
