Arsenal's Hector Bellerin likely to replace Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal in Spain's Euro 16 squad
Spain National Team coach, Vincent Del Bosque says Arsenal's Hector Bellerin is likely to travel with the team for the UEFA European Championship replacing Dani Carvajal following his injury for Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday night.
Hector Bellerin has had an incredible season for Arsenal where he was also voted as the league's best right-back by his fellow professionals. His inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year and his stats for the Gunners had fans widely accept that he was finally good enough to travel with the senior Spanish side.
The 21-year-old scored a single goal in the Premier League this season but contributed six assists including a last-minute wonder assist for Mesut Ozil against German giants Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.
While Hector Bellerin made 44 appearances for Arsene Wenger this season, Dani Carvajal only made 30 appearances for Real Madrid but ultimately won the coveted UEFA Champions League – in whose final he was injured.
That doesn't do the Madrid man any justice, however, as Bellerin has outclassed him in all aspects of the game – both attack and defence throughout the season. As a defender, Bellerin made more interceptions in his own half with 67 compared to just 40 Carvajal did.
Bellerin made nearly three times the clearances with 105 whereas Carvajal cleared the ball only a paltry 31 times in the season. The Arsenal man also took on 63 players successfully while Carvajal could only get around 23 – a huge stat if you're playing for Spain under Del Bosque. Bellerin only won a staggering 47 tackles he went into while Carvajal only won 22.
In attack, Bellerin made more passes forward with 866 to his name compared to 511 that Carvajal managed. Bellerin also managed to get 6 assists with Carvajal only managing 4.
All these stats all but point in the direction of the former Barcelona man but if Carvajal does prove to be fit by May 31st, Vincent Del Bosque has revealed that he might get a callback.
Depending on what the doctors say, Bellerin will stay with us," he said. "We have two days until the squad of 23 must be submitted (on May 31).
"But we must wait for the prognosis to make a final decision."