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Spain heavily backed on their defence in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. They outscored their opponents on a very little margin. The maximum they scored in a game was just 2 goals. Round of sixteen onwards, Spain won their games with a 1-0 margin. David Villa was their main spearhead in achieving the prestigious honour of lifting a World Cup and it is highly unlikely if he makes it in the 23- men squad for the La Rojas in Brazil.David Villa is Spains leading goal scorer with 56 goals. He was also the top scorer for Spain belting in 5 goals in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Villa and his crucial goals will be missed and if Spain has any chance this time, they would need to fill in the void left by him.Spain may start with their usual 4-6-0 formation in the 2014 World Cup by deploying no proper strikers but as the tournament proceeds, they will require a player to score goals at will. As seen in 2012 UEFA European Championship and 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, Spain decided to have 4 strikers on board and this time we think it wont be any different.Here are the possible strikers who can achieve what David Villa had in 2010 to get selected for Spains 23 men squad for FIFA 2014 World Cup.
#6 David Villa
With just 3 goals in 38 games for Atlético Madrid this campaign, David Villa’s ticket to Brazil looks in serious threat. At Valencia 4 years ago, he was leading their attack. The transfer to Braca and later Atlético has been another kind of a journey. He has been assigned a second fiddle role and has been impressive. He is not as prolific as he looked while scoring goals earlier but has been a very good team player. His experience with Barca can come in handy for Vicente del Bosque, as Villa can play in many positions such as false 9, left wing, centre forward or second striker.
Could David Villa emulate his own performance from the 2010 World Cup?
#5 Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres has been lurking with injuries and bad form ever since signing for Chelsea in 2010. Torres has scored a total of 9 goals in 35 appearances so far for Chelsea in the 2013/14 season.
The 30 year old still has a lot of football left in him and his experience at top level football will add enough weight for Vicente del Bosque to add him to 23 man squad.
#4 Fernando Llorente
Fernando Llorente has already pocketed 15 goals in 36 matches for Juventus in his first Serie A season. He has been scoring and combining well with fellow Argentine striker Carlos Tevez. He is a big guy and has a towering presence at 6 ft 5 inches in the oppositions final third. He certainly takes a strong case in front of Vicente del Bosque to select him for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
#3 Alvaro Negredo
Alvaro Negredo couldn't have thought for a better start in England. He stormed into the scene by netting 23 goals for Manchester City in 41 appearances so far in 2013/14 season. Manchester City needed a striker when Sergio Agüero got injured and Negredo did all he could to keep City in the title hunt.
Will he go? There is no doubt why this beast won’t be selected by del Bosque to lead Spain’s title defence.
#2 Pedro
Pedro until 14Apr, 2014 in 2013/14 season has scored a total of 18 goals in 49 matches for Barcelona. The guy who started ahead of Fernando Torres in the 2010 World Cup final against Netherlands will surely make it to the World Cup in Brazil. He plays in the Spanish league and understands their team’s philosophy more than any other available striker. Spain’s tactics are quite similar to that of Barcelona, making it easier for him to coordinate with his team mates.
#1 Diego Costa
The best Brazilian striker at the moment will play for Spain and not Brazil in the 2014 World Cup. When he snubbed Brazil to play for Spain, you could imagine a happier Vicente del Bosque and an angry Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Both the mangers needed a striker. Spain needed someone to replace the heroics of David Villa in the 2010 World Cup and Brazil wanted to end their dying search for Brazilian phenomenon Ronaldo. With an astonishing tally of 34 goals for Atlético Madrid in 45 games this season. His impact for Atlético Madrid has been huge as they find themselves sitting at top of the La Liga. A rare sight when you realise Barcelona and Real Madrid generally don’t have any major threat from any other team in the La Liga.
He certainly is a firm favourite to start for Spain in Brazil.
