Recently, Santi Cañizares, former goalkeeper of the Spanish national team, has sparked a major controversy by giving his opinion on Raúl Asencio's situation in the national team. His words have caused uncertainty and possible pressure on Luis de la Fuente, the current coach.
Asencio: A Lost Opportunity?
Raúl Asencio, who was already on the roster before Íñigo Martínez's injury, hasn't played a single minute in this international break. His only role has been to train with his teammates, experience being in the national team, and wait for a new opportunity. Although Asencio has shown consistency at Real Madrid, he hasn't been able to prove it on the field with Spain.
De la Fuente has chosen Huijsen for his ability to play out from the back, similar to Cubarsí, even if that leaves Asencio on the bench. These decisions show De la Fuente's strategic vision, which prioritizes a fluid playing style from the back.
Cañizares's Statement: Huijsen and Asencio, Different Profiles
In an intervention on El Partidazo de COPE, Cañizares compared defenders Huijsen and Asencio, highlighting the differences in their playing profiles. "Huijsen is a fantastic center-back for playing good soccer due to his ball-playing ability... He's the closest thing to Cubarsí, which is why De la Fuente has chosen him and not Asencio," he stated.
According to the former goalkeeper, if the goal is to prioritize defense, Asencio would be the best option, but Huijsen brings a different playing style, more associated with ball-playing.
Cañizares clarified that the choice of Huijsen depends on the type of defense, not on Asencio's quality.
The Dilemma of Luis de la Fuente
Luis de la Fuente finds himself in a complicated situation. On one hand, he has to form a team that is competitive and adapts to his playing style.
On the other hand, he faces the pressure of leaving out players with a lot of talent and potential, like Raúl Asencio. Although Asencio doesn't have the same profile as Huijsen, he also knows how to play out from the back and contribute to the game from the back.
De la Fuente, however, seems to be clear that for this international break, Huijsen's style and versatility were prioritized. However, Asencio's future doesn't seem closed. If he continues performing at the same level at his club, it's likely he will have more opportunities in the future.