No Silva lining as Torres likely to lead Spanish line

Premier League followers might be surprised, but Chelsea misfit Fernando Torres looks set for a more central role than Manchester City’s title winner David Silva for Spain this month.

Despite being deservedly acclaimed as among the best players in England, Silva has not always been a favourite of Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque. A key member of previous boss Luís Aragones’ victorious 2008 Spain side, the ex-Valencia playmaker was dropped after Spain’s early loss to Switzerland at World Cup 2010. Del Bosque opted for the more pacy and direct Pedro Rodríguez of Barcelona, and Spain went on to win the tournament.

This hurt Silva badly and he told Marca last year that he still felt he had been unfairly scapegoated for one poor team performance.