Though he didn't give a definitive answer as to who the third goalie will be once Spain begins their quest for a second-straight World Cup title, head coach Vicente del Bosque said recently that David de Gea is among those receiving consideration for a spot made available due to the injury of Victor Valdes. Ruled out of the upcoming summer tournament in Brazil with a significant knee injury, Valdes will now be forced to watch as his beloved Spanish National teammates defend their crown at the highly-anticipated event. While the Spain boss is expected to arrive with Napoli keeper Pepe Reina and Real Madrid star Iker Casillas on the roster, del Bosque is open to multiple candidates for the final goalie position.
“I have in mind the third keeper, but allow me not to say anything,” the veteran coach said when asked if he'd come to a decision on who will fill the noticeable void left by the absence of Valdes. “Of course, De Gea is one of the possibilities to come. He has already been with us a few times. Anybody can be injured so we would need to call up another. It is logical to pass the time we have in front of us because there are still seven weeks to go and anything can happen.”
While de Gea is certainly viewed as a capable talent, del Bosque could elect to bring Real Madrid's Diego Lopez to the tournament over the Manchester United standout. If the 23-year-old's strong play continues however, the 63-year-old del Bosque could have no other choice but to snag the Old Trafford star for the summer games. Even as Manchester United continues to struggle in the Barclays Premier League, de Gea has been consistent between the pipes this season. Registering 11 cleans sheets on multiple levels this season as well, the Spanish talent has been a big reason why Man U is still alive in the UEFA Champions League, success that has eased the pain of league failures in England. Though he remains focused on helping the Red Devils, David de Gea said recently that he's thought about possibly playing for Spain come the June tournament.
“Victor Valdes has picked up an injury and the first thing to say is that’s an absolute shame and not something you would wish on anybody, least of all him,” the Manchester United star said recently. “It’s an awful situation, but perhaps it might open the door for me to be at the World Cup. I’ve been very happy with my form and I’ve felt very confident. I’ve played a lot of games. I’ve learnt a lot and gained consistency and stability. I’m pleased with how things are going for me, but we’ve got to improve as a group.”
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