After England secured a 1-0 win over current European and World Champions Spain at the Wembley Stadium in London, Spanish head coach Vicente Del Bosque admitted in an interview that his players’ exposure to the English league has helped the national team to be world beaters.
Top Spanish players to have graced the Premier League in recent times have been Pepe Reina, Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, and David Silva.
The Spanish could have been best described as chokers before they won the European Championship in 2008. There was a lot of talent in the team even before that with the likes of Sergio Canizares, Fernando Hiero, David Albelda, Vicente, Joaquin, Fernando Morientes, and Raul playing for Spain, but they were not able to win a trophy ever.
The current crop of players in the national team set-up are easily one of the best teams in the world if not the best. Del Bosque admits that the high tempo and physicality of the Premier League has improved most of his players and have made them better footballers.
We take a look at some of the best Spanish talent we have seen in the Barclays Premier League in the past few seasons
Fernando Torres – The former Atletico Madrid hero was signed by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez who knew his potential inside out. Only the previous season, Man United backed out of a deal as manager Sir Alex Ferguson thought that he would have a problem with the physical nature of the British game, but boy did he impress. In 142 games for Liverpool, he scored 81 goals and became a crowd favorite after scoring winners against Manchester United and Everton and then demolishing Chelsea. Torres has had a lean patch after his surgery before the World Cup in 2010, but that did not stop Chelsea from paying 50 million pounds for his signature earlier this year.
Cesc Fabregas – Joined Arsenal as a teenager from Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy. Graduated to one of the finest midfielders of his generation under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger. Although he does not have trophies to show for his efforts, his performances during his stay at Arsenal will be etched in the memories of the Gunners faithful. Cesc moved to Barcelona for an undisclosed fee this summer.
Pepe Reina – Was brought in by Rafa, he is easily the best goalkeeper in the Barclays Premier League at the moment. We have seen some fantastic displays from the man week in and week out. Unlucky to be in the same national team as Iker Casillas and Victor Valdes.
Xabi Alonso – Easily one of the best midfielders we have seen in the Premier League in the past decade. A no nonsense man, he played with a lot of class and was influential for Liverpool. His class is proved by the simple fact that ever since he left for Real Madrid, Liverpool have not been the same after 4 signings for his position.
David Silva – He is undoubtedly the top player in the Premier League at the present time alongside Arsenal’s Robin van Persie. He is a gem of a player who weaves through defenders before sending a killer pass for the likes of Dzeko and Aguero to finish off for City. He also has one of the meanest left foots in world football. More of a classier type, Silva has what it takes to make it large in the sport.