Spain national team coach talks Busquets, Gavi, Pedri, de Jong, and Ansu Fati

Luis de la Fuente has been quite vocal after being appointed as the new coach of the Spanish national team.

In a recent interview with Mundo Deportivo, the Spaniard has offered his thoughts on Sergio Busquets and other Barcelona players, namely praising Frenkie de Jong. De la Fuente has indeed selected the Dutchman as the one non-Spanish player he would like to have in his team.

But the Spain boss hid no praise for other Barcelona players. Talking about Sergio Busquets, he stated, “I would have liked him to continue. There are very good footballers, who will reach a very high level, but I don’t know if they will reach the level Busi has been at.”

De La Fuente also praised other Barcelona midfielders such as Pedri and Gavi, who are very much part of the Spanish side.

“Leaders as they earn it. That it comes naturally to them and that the rest follow them and believe in them. They are very good and are performing at a maximum level at Barcelona,” he said about the young midfield duo.

Meanwhile, de la Fuente also talked about the potential dilemma on the left hand side between Jordi Alba and Alejandro Balde. The Spaniard is hoping that such a competition can get the best out of the two.

“Competition is always good. Hopefully, it would demand that level of competition. It seems very healthy to me, I celebrate it and Xavi is managing it very well. With so many parties, everyone can participate a lot,” he said, heaping praise towards Xavi for finding that ideal tactical balance between the two.

De la Fuente went on to talk about Ansu Fati as well, urging the youngster to find maturity and backing him to succeed in the years to come.

“No. It is in a process of continuing to find itself and grow. He has to mature, personally and soccer-wise. When he regains confidence and security, we will see the best Ansu Fati. We have not yet seen the best version of Ansu. It won’t take long, it’s innate,” he said.

De la Fuente’s comments come in the midst of speculations linking Fati to a move away from Camp Nou in the summer, with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal already interested in his services.

And before ending, the Spanish coach was asked which non-Spanish midfielder he would have liked in his team. To which he replied, “Frenkie de Jong”, and understandably so.