Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has publicly reaffirmed his backing for Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simon as the country’s first-choice goalkeeper, while also calling for greater recognition of the other options available to him.
Speaking to the media, De la Fuente pushed back on any suggestion that Simon’s place is under threat, describing the goalkeeper as “indisputable” at international level. He also took the opportunity to highlight Arsenal’s David Raya, suggesting the Spaniard is underappreciated domestically despite being regarded as among the best in the world in England.
“It would be unfair if we didn’t value Unai’s quality, class, career, and professional experience. It would be absurd for me to have to come here and reaffirm it, just because he’s Unai Simon. When a goalkeeper is at this level, you have to respect his standing and his career.
“Besides, we have David Raya, who I’m eager for you to ask me about. In England, they consider him the best goalkeeper in the world, and here nobody talks about him.
“The same goes for Joan Garcia and Alex Remiro, let’s be fair. But Unai Simon is indisputable. The others have a lot of talent and class, but everything in its own time.”
Spain currently boast one of the deepest goalkeeper pools in international football, with Raya, Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, and Real Sociedad’s Alex Remiro all pushing for a place in the squad behind the established Simon.
