Four mistakes that contributed to Spain’s World Cup failure

#3 Leaving Cesc Fabregas at home

Cesc Fabregas

This Spanish team is filled with creative players, but despite that, there didn’t seem to be any connection between the midfield and frontline. Very few of the midfielders in that squad have played with Diego Costa, or a player like Costa. The one creative Spanish midfielder who has played with Costa and formed a connection with Costa was sat in a TV studio - Cesc Fabregas.

Fabregas maybe didn’t have the best season with Chelsea, but in his three seasons with Costa at Stamford Bridge, the pair linked well. Spain never got the best out of Costa, and they rarely played directly up to him.

Fabregas is capable of playing the short, clever passes, but he is also able to play the direct balls forward, and maybe that’s the sort of thing Spain were lacking.