Vicente Del Bosque says David De Gea saga could cost him place in Spain squad for Euro 2016
After Real Madrid’s deal for Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea collapsed when the Spanish club missed the transfer deadline to sign the player, Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has come out and said that De Gea must now play regularly if he wants to be selected for the Spain. De Gea is currently with the national team for the international break as they prepare for their Euro 2016 qualifiers against Slovakia on 5 September and Macedonia on 8 September.
Real Madrid had issued a statement yesterday explaining the reasons why the deal could not be completed on time, placing the blame squarely on Manchester United for not sending the documents on time. However, United responded with a statement of their own claiming they had done everything according to the defined procedures and sent the documents on time.
In all this finger-pointing, it is De Gea who has suffered the most as he looked forward to completing his move to Madrid but will now have to head back to Old Trafford. Whether he will start the Red Devils’ next game, an important home clash against Liverpool, is yet to be decided.
Louis van Gaal has not started the Spanish goalkeeper in any of the six games so far in both the Premier League and the Champions League, even though he played on the pre-season tour. Argentine Sergio Romero, who was signed on a free transfer, has been preferred in goal while De Gea has only been seen watching from the stands while waiting for the transfer to be complete. When he arrived for national duty, it is reported in AS that De Gea did not speak to the press and only smiled when he went into the team hotel.
If De Gea doesn’t play, it is difficult to pick him: Del Bosque
Speaking at a press conference as the Spain squad gets ready for their Euro 2016 qualifiers, coach Del Bosque said: “If David De Gea does not play with Manchester United, it will be very difficult to pick him for the national team for the European Championship in France,” according to Spanish website Cope.
When asked if he had spoken to De Gea yet, Del Bosque said he hadn’t. “No, no. If there is a need, I will say something,” he replied. “He has to be a professional and move on.”
He also spoke about playing Iker Casillas in the first game against Slovakia and using De Gea in the second qualifier against Macedonia.
While what Del Bosque said makes sense, it wouldn’t be the first time United regularly fielded a player who wanted a move away. Wayne Rooney himself has put in transfer requests twice but is still at the club and has even been given the captain’s armband.
De Gea must maintain his level: Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid captain and Spain defender Sergio Ramos also spoke about the botched transfer and encouraged De Gea to pick himself up and do his best.
According to The Mirror, Ramos said: “I have not talked to David and do not know his opinion. Life goes on. Nobody has died for this. He must maintain his level, he is one of the best keepers.”
“The world of football and signings is like this. Everyone tries to get the most and this is never easy for any player.
“He has had a bumpy summer because he has decided his future and that of his family. But it is something we have to go through at times, everyone has to understand the facts and do their best wherever they are,” he concluded.