In information which has raised a number of eyebrows, Gerard Pique‘s title options on Luis Enrique‘s preliminary 55-man record for the World Cup in Qatar.
The Barcelona defender hasn’t performed for Spain since 2018, however is seemingly in competition for the upcoming match.
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From the 55-man record, Luis Enrique will quickly have to pick a most of 26 gamers to take to Qatar. As we noticed final summer season at Euro 2020, nonetheless, he could take 24.
The preliminary record provides us an thought of the place the pinnacle coach’s ideas are proper now and a few names have gotten folks speaking, both for his or her presence or their absence.
Pique is actually one of many massive surprises on the record, however he did trace earlier within the yr at eyeing up a return to the Spain squad, greater than 4 years after retiring from the worldwide recreation.
Regardless of being Barcelona‘s fourth-choice central defender, he appears to have achieved sufficient to be on Luis Enrique‘s radar and be in with a shout of creating the World Cup.
Sergio Ramos’ return can also be a chance
One other veteran who could possibly be set for a sensational return is Pique‘s former companion on the again, Sergio Ramos. The Paris Saint-Germain defender additionally options on the preliminary record which has been submitted to FIFA, regardless of not taking part in for Spain since March 2021.
After all, each should displace Luis Enrique‘s established choices of Aymeric Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Pau Torres and Eric Garcia to make the ultimate minimize.
The opposite centre backs named on the record are Diego Llorente and Hugo Guillamon, that means there isn’t any place for Nacho Fernandez, David Garcia or Yeray Alvarez, who may all really feel they’ve a greater declare than Pique.
World Cup squad guidelines
FIFA’s guidelines state that groups should choose their last squads from the 55-player preliminary lists. Nevertheless, as soon as the ultimate squads have been submitted, any replacements are usually not restricted to the 55-man record.
In different phrases, if Spain embody an injured participant of their last squad – or a participant turns into injured – they’re allowed to exchange them with any participant up till 24 hours earlier than the group’s first recreation.
Spain get underway on November 23 towards Costa Rica. So, on the very newest, we’ll know Spain‘s last squad on November 22.