5 young attackers that might shine for Spain under Luis Enrique

A new era begins tomorrow for the Spanish national team as new manager, Luis Enrique announces his first squad. La Furia Roja had been on a downward spiral since winning the Euros in 2012 and the hope is that the former Barcelona manager will bring the fresh approach needed to revitalize the former world champions.

He will not want for quality players to execute his ideas and tactics. In an interview with Spanish TV this month, he was quoted as saying:

"The problem I have is that my list of 70 players has now gone to 72," he explained on Spanish TV during halftime at the Supercopa de Espana. "I have many options to choose from. That’s how I prefer it."

A large part of the Golden Generation that won three titles between 2008-2012 has departed and the team that will go up against England and Croatia in the UEFA Nations League in September will reflect this. Therefore, there will be a need for Enrique to identify and nurture new on-field lieutenants to carry out his plans.

The style of play is expected to be different as well with emphasis on faster-attacking transitions with less possession and more risk-taking. For this, he will need young and dynamic attacking players.

Luckily, Spain has them in abundance. Here is a look at 5 that may play big roles under Enrique:

#5 Mikel Oyarzarbal (Real Sociedad)

Oyarzabal (right) looks set to shine for club and country

With the retirement of David Silva and the continued decline of Juan Mata, La Furia Roja is crying out for a dynamic left-footed attacking player. In Real Sociedad’s Oyarzarbal, they seem to have found the answer.

The Eibar-born winger has continued to grow season and season and looks set to have a breakthrough into the national side following three years of being on the fringes.

A pocket-sized dynamo, he relies more on his intelligence than pace to make things happen, he plays for his club side as a winger who has the freedom to drift inside and get involved closer to goal. This was a position that Silva excelled at during his early days before he eventually became a full-time playmaker.

He seems to share certain traits with Spain’s 4th highest ever goalscorer: an awareness of what is going on around them, silky dribbling skills, an eye for a pass among others.

It is unclear whether Enrique will allow him to reprise the Silva role but even if he is played as a winger, his crossing and ability to beat his man will mean that the strikers will get plenty of ammunition to work with.

With only one national cap under his belt (against Switzerland in 2016), Oyarzabal will be eager to impress and stake his claim in the new-look La Furia Roja side.

#4 Santi Mina (Valencia CF)

Mina is ready for the step up to the national team

Much was expected of the Galician-born youngster when he burst onto the scene at Celta Vigo. His silky skills, finishing, and workrate reminded regular La Liga watchers of a younger David Villa. When he made the move to Valencia for €10 million in 2016, it was expected that his upward trajectory would continue.

However, injuries, a poor attitude and the upheaval at the Estadio Mestalla meant that his first two seasons at the club was a washout with little impact made; in 55 goals, he scored 12 goals and made 4 assists.

Following the arrival of Marcelino as manager, he underwent a dramatic transformation and hit 12 goals in 32 La Liga matches last season. His aggression, pace, work rate and deadly finishing make him an interesting option to have for Enrique. He can start across the frontline and has proven to be most adept at playing with a point man in front of him.

If the manager were to want it, Mina can reprise his partnership with Rodrigo Moreno at the national level. He would also thrive playing behind Diego Costa as well. He can also function effectively as a left-sided winger as his crossing abilities are decent. This will also give him the benefit of cutting unto his stronger right foot and getting shots in.

#3 Pablo Fornals (Villarreal CF)

Fornals' chaotic style could be a key asset under Enrique

Another “chaotic” player whose skill set will be right up Enrique’s alley, the Villarreal maestro looks set to become a mainstay in the senior La Furia Roja setup.

A cross between Koke and the man he is likely to be competing against for a starting berth; Isco, Fornals’ ball control, passing, dribbling, and willingness to drive the ball forward would be of great interest to the manager who played a similar role during his playing days.

His ability to play as a box-to-box central midfielder means he won’t be out of place being paired with a Sergio Busquets or Rodri. Also capable of playing further up the pitch as an attacking midfielder (behind the striker), his risk-taking and chance creation will be of interest to whichever of the strikers Enrique chooses to start with.

The starlet has been churning out great performances at the Estadio de la Ceramica following his £10.80m move to the club last season. He was one of the standout players in last season’s La Liga as his 12 assists placed him joint-top with the FC Barcelona pair of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

He has struggled in the first 2 games this season (as has Villarreal itself) but with an elder statesman like Santi Cazola in the team, he is sure to improve.

#2 Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao)

Williams' abilities could be a perfect fit for Enrique's system

Everything seems set for the 2018/2019 season to be when the real Inaki Williams to be fully unleashed on an unsuspecting world. For a while now, he has been skirting around the edges of the national set-up with his name coming up only in friendlies or as a member of a larger squad.

All of that looks to be changing as in Enrique; Williams will have a coach more appreciative of his abilities than Vicente del Bosque and Julen Lopetegui were. His pace, strength, agility, and intelligence would be like a breath of fresh air for a La Furia Roja side that has relied too much on intricate passing in recent years.

He has always had pace, power, dribbling among his many abilities but looks to have added more nuance to his game this season. Given Athletic’s Basque-only policy, it was always going to be extremely difficult to replace the waning powers of Artiz Adruiz.

Manager Eduardo Berizzo has deemed it fit that Williams should play as the team’s main man, a move which would help the youngster’s versatility to no end. Wearing the team’s number 9 jersey, the 24-year-old has already stolen headlines in the nascent La Liga season with two assists already.

#1 Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)

The Golden One, Asensio's place is not in doubt

Boy wonder, golden boy or new-kid-on-the-block. These are just a few of the appellations that have been used to describe the new darling of Spanish football. Of the players currently available to Spain, Asensio looks the surest bet to hit heights as high as the Ballon d’Or in his career.

Blessed with an ability to go past defenders like they are not even there, the 22-year-old looks set to enjoy an extended run of first-team football for Real Madrid this season under Lopetegui. This is great news for Enrique who has made it clear that players not involved in first-team football for their clubs would not receive call-ups.

The most capped player on this list; 15 caps since 2016, Asensio looks set to be a key player in the new-look La Furia Roja side. Quick-footed, deceptively strong with an eye for a pass and a scorer of spectacular long-range shots from outside the penalty area, his calmness and intelligence mean he would fit in a variety of roles.

In the absence of Isco (or a similar player), he might feature behind the main striker. He could also be deployed as the team’s left winger with his sweet left-foot swinging in crosses for teammates to profit from. He has started the new season like a house on fire with 3 assists in two games and will be looking to make the most of his new, more important role.