Spain playing with an out-and-out striker again under Julen Lopetegui
We look at the leading candidates for the role at Russia 2018
Spain among the favorites for FIFA World Cup glory
Time is passing and Russia 2018 is moving ever closer. The players who hope to represent the 32 participating nations are striving to produce their best football, while the coaches are keeping close to prospective candidates. Among them is Julen Lopetegui. Following a near-perfect qualifying campaign that has Spain fans dream of glory once, the red coach faces a hard task in narrowing his numerous options down to a 23-man squad, not least because he has called on 48 players so far in his tenure.
Earning a place in the Spain set-up is no easy task, especially for anyone with designs on being the center forward, a role revived under Lopetegui. With the odd exception - such as that of the qualifier against Italy at the Bernabeu - it has been largely brought to the end of the day in which Spain operated without an out-and-out target man.
As we continue to ponder his options up front, ahead of the friendlies against Germany and Argentina, FIFA.com looks at the leading contenders for the job and what they each have to offer.
DIEGO COSTA
Club: Atletico Madrid
Call-ups under Lopetegui: eight
Appearances: 6 (468 minutes played) | Goals: 5
Lopetegui put his faith in the Brazilian-born striker as soon as he took over. Capable of troubling opposing defenses all on his own, Costa is a tireless worker who has represented Spain for the last four years and played at Brazil 2014. As well as drawing central defenders out of position, he can also hold the ball up, play with his back to goal and make the most of any available space thanks to his power. Continuously on the move and probing for opportunities, he also has the knack of being in the right place at the right time.
Though his place at Russia 2018 was at risk following his return to Atletico Madrid, while he was sidelined on account of the Spanish club's ban on registering new players, he is fitter and sharper than ever after boxing himself into shape in the gym. I have struck five goals in 11 matches since January.
What the coach says
"When he's been playing for his teams we've always called on him and he's always been an important player for us. He's had a strange journey to get here, because he's been without playing for six months, and we're delighted with how he's performing right now. He's available, he's playing and we obviously have him in mind.
We look at the leading candidates for the role at Russia 2018
Spain among the favorites for FIFA World Cup glory
Time is passing and Russia 2018 is moving ever closer. The players who hope to represent the 32 participating nations are striving to produce their best football, while the coaches are keeping close to prospective candidates. Among them is Julen Lopetegui. Following a near-perfect qualifying campaign that has Spain fans dream of glory once, the red coach faces a hard task in narrowing his numerous options down to a 23-man squad, not least because he has called on 48 players so far in his tenure.
Earning a place in the Spain set-up is no easy task, especially for anyone with designs on being the center forward, a role revived under Lopetegui. With the odd exception - such as that of the qualifier against Italy at the Bernabeu - it has been largely brought to the end of the day in which Spain operated without an out-and-out target man.
As we continue to ponder his options up front, ahead of the friendlies against Germany and Argentina, FIFA.com looks at the leading contenders for the job and what they each have to offer.
DIEGO COSTA
Club: Atletico Madrid
Call-ups under Lopetegui: eight
Appearances: 6 (468 minutes played) | Goals: 5
Lopetegui put his faith in the Brazilian-born striker as soon as he took over. Capable of troubling opposing defenses all on his own, Costa is a tireless worker who has represented Spain for the last four years and played at Brazil 2014. As well as drawing central defenders out of position, he can also hold the ball up, play with his back to goal and make the most of any available space thanks to his power. Continuously on the move and probing for opportunities, he also has the knack of being in the right place at the right time.
Though his place at Russia 2018 was at risk following his return to Atletico Madrid, while he was sidelined on account of the Spanish club's ban on registering new players, he is fitter and sharper than ever after boxing himself into shape in the gym. I have struck five goals in 11 matches since January.
What the coach says
"When he's been playing for his teams we've always called on him and he's always been an important player for us. He's had a strange journey to get here, because he's been without playing for six months, and we're delighted with how he's performing right now. He's available, he's playing and we obviously have him in mind.
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