No Silva lining as Torres likely to lead Spanish line
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.
“I feel that the coach does not count on me,” said Silva. “No matter how I perform, I am not a first-choice. In South Africa I was the only victim of the loss to Switzerland … and things have stayed more or less the same.”
These comments were big news in Spain and Del Bosque was unimpressed. Injuries to Andrés Iniesta and Xavi Hernández opened up places during subsequent qualifiers and Silva ended the campaign with four goals in six appearances, but the doubts continued.
With the Barca duo rested for Spain’s warm-up friendlies, Silva played almost all of the three games against Serbia, South Korea and China. He even scored in the 1-0 win over the Chinese, tapping in late on. Spain were below par however, again struggling to turn lengthy spells of possession into goals.
Silva himself admitted they had struggled before ‘Don Andrés’ and also Sevilla’s Jesús Navas entered in the second half.
“We were a bit slower than usual,” he said, “they were very compact and defended well, but we were a bit sluggish. With Iniesta, everything is easier.”
With Iniesta (and Xavi) certain starters Silva is now competing with Navas, Santi Cazorla, Juan Mata, Cesc Fábregas and Pedro Rodríguez for just one starting place. As La Roja are likely to face many packed defences — starting with Cesare Prandelli’s Italy tomorrow night in Ireland’s Group C — as the tournament progresses Del Bosque could again prefer a more orthodox wide-man — either Navas or Pedro — to stretch the play.
Meanwhile, the way has surprisingly opened up for Torres to start the tournament as Spain’s centre-forward, completing a spectacular turnaround for a player whose career had recently looked in terminal decline.
In the last two months though, things have fallen Torres’ way. His clinching goal as Chelsea overcame Barcelona in the Champions League was taken in Spain as notice of a return to form. David Villa’s broken leg did not heal in time, and Soldado’s club form faded.
Torres — now 28 — returned to the squad admitting he was eager to grab this unexpected opportunity with both hands.
“When you have been away from everything, but you get back to it, then you value it much more,” he said. “That is what has happened for me. I know this is a prize, and I am trying to enjoy every minute.”
Athletic Bilbao’s powerful Fernando Llorente was still Spain’s assumed first-choice up front, but his long and injury-hit club season allowed Torres to stake a claim in Spain’s recent friendlies. He was excellent as Spain beat Korea 4-1 last week, scoring a superb header, and did well against China. Meanwhile, Sevilla’s Álvaro Negredo was disappointing when given a chance.
Unlike with Silva, tactical factors could work in Torres’ favour. 28 goals in 92 internationals seems a poor return for a centre-forward, but his clever movement and link-up play occupies defenders and opens up space for more nimble team-mates behind to work in.
Del Bosque has hinted he would get the nod against Italy. “He gives us pace and movement,” said the coach. “He links well with the players behind. He is happy to be here and very motivated at the moment. We must take advantage of that.”
It is often said that international football is very different than the club game. Torres leading the line for Spain, while Silva gets squeezed out, would prove that point.
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