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The competition for places on the right-hand side of the defence for La Furia Roja is one of the more interesting sub-plots that will gain traction as the World Cup, Russia 2018 draws nearer.
Coach Julen Lopetegui has a welcome headache as he has quite a number of right-backs performing well who are in the right age bracket for fullbacks in the modern game; 18-29 years.
Given the way Spain play, the fullbacks are an essential part of the system as they are expected to be on the move for 90 minutes providing defensive cover and extra ammunition going forward.
It is doubtful that players like Javier Manquillo (Newcastle United), Hugo Mallo (Celta Vigo) and Kiko Femenia (Watford) will even be in consideration given their places in the pecking order.
The World Cup may have come too early for players like Ignacio “Nacho” Vidal (Valencia) who should be looking to stake future claims for the shirt.
#5 Mario Gaspar (Villarreal)
A product of the youth system at Villarreal, Mario will be an outside choice for the right-back position.
With over 200 games for hometown club, the 26-year-old combines athleticism and a panache for going forward with sound defensive skills being good in the air and a more-than-capable tackler who possesses excellent crossing abilities.
He has been capped thrice and has a hugely impressive goals record, bagging two goals in these games.
His acrobatic overhead kick against England in a friendly in 2015 earned him a nomination for the FIFA Puskas Award for Goal of the Year.
He has remained consistent for El Submarino Amarillo (The Yellow Submarine as Villareal are known) and if he makes coach Lopetegui’s Russia 2018 team, fans can expect 100% effort and commitment from Super Mario.
#4 Álvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad)
The new kid on the block, Odriozola’s inclusion in the squad for the last set of World Cup qualifiers (he made his international debut against Albania registering an assist) came as a shock but given the Basque kid’s impressive start to La Real’s La Liga and Europa League campaign, it was a justified move.
With just 22 senior appearances for an impressive Real Sociedad team from whose youth set-up he had emerged, Odriozola’s ascent has been nothing short of meteoric.
He has become one of the latest recipients of manager Lopetegui’s decision to invite in-form players and not his favourites (a charge levelled against former coach Vicente Del Bosque).
A quick and very agile player who is also a very good crosser of the ball, he will fancy his chances of making the squad as long as he continues to improve and play regularly for the Anoeta-based side.
#3 Héctor Bellerín (Arsenal)
The speedster and hairdo enthusiast, Bellerín was widely tipped to become La Furia’s first choice right-back when he had his breakout season with the Gunners in the 2014-2015 Premier League season.
He has had a mixed bag so far this season as his performances in certain games have been roundly criticised though he seems to be getting back to something close to his best form.
His speed and ability to recover are assets that the Spanish manager would love to utilise as he offers width and an extra attacking option to a Spanish side that can be very narrow due to the surfeit of central attacking midfielders.
Like a lot of Spanish players, Bellerín has come through the ranks of the Spanish national youth teams featuring from the U-16s to the Under-21 levels (he was part of the team that lost in the finals at the Euro U-21 Championship).
This knowledge of the Spanish set-up coupled with an aggressiveness honed in the Premier League will give Héctor an edge over his fellow competitors.
#2 César Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
The elder statesman of the current crop (given the drop off of Juanfran), Azpilicueta is almost a certainty to be at the World Cup given his versatility, reliability and leadership qualities.
Capable of playing on either side of the defence as well as in the centre if need be, he has been an incredible servant for his club Chelsea since he joined from Olympique Marseille and is currently one of the captains in Antonio Conte’s team.
He is renowned for his ability to man-mark even the best players as well as raid the flanks delivering pinpoint crosses for the strikers to get the goals.
His experience and abilities have made him a permanent feature of the La Furia team since he made his international debut against Uruguay in 2013.
He has been capped 20 times, a low number but understandable given former coach Del Bosque’s aversion to making changes.
Lopetegui will be counting on the man whom Chelsea fans fondly call “Dave” to man the right side of the defence and provide great crosses for the strikers like he has been doing for fellow La Furia and Chelsea teammate Alvaro Morata (4 assists for the new Number 9 so far).
#1 Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Carvajal has had a meteoric rise from his days as a cadet at Real Madrid’s La Fabrica. The first choice right-back for the current European and Spanish champions, he is also expected to be the first choice for Spain at Russia 2018.
A rapid player who combines terrific speed with a willingness to put in the work needed defensively, he has been hailed as one of the best right backs in the world and has continuously earned rave reviews for his consistent match-winning displays.
He has had a mixed start to the season; being a key part of the Real Madrid team which won both the UEFA and Spanish Super Cups before being diagnosed with a heart condition which has kept him out of action for a couple of weeks.
Like Azpilicueta, Dani has not received as many caps as his talent has warranted but injury permitting, he is expected to be the number one choice for coach Lopetegui at the World Cup as none of the other contenders can offer his mix of pace, attacking abilities and defensive nous.
