Joaquin: The Right Midfielder For Spain

Joaquin Sanchez Rodriguez is a Spanish footballer currently playing for Valencia CF. The 28-year old right winger is known for his lightning pace and slick dribbling.

Joaquin joined Real Betis in 1994 and broke into the first team in 2000, aged 19. Real Betis were in the Spanish Segunda that season.

Real Betis were promoted into the La Liga in the following season. Joaquin's ability to tear defenders apart from the right flank and set up goals for his teammates attracted a host of big clubs.

He scored a total of 33 goals in over 200 appearances for Real Betis before moving to Valencia in August 2006 for around €25 million, making him Valencia's most expensive signing. Joaquin made over 50 assists during his five La Liga seasons with Real Betis.

Joaquin has scored 18 goals in 121 appearances for Valencia in all competition so far.

Joaquin has represented Spain over 50 times, scoring six in the process. He was part of the Spanish squad in FIFA World Cup 2002. His penalty miss led to Spain's elimination in the quarter-finals. He was selected again for the two following major tournaments, EURO 2004 and FIFA World Cup 2006.

However, he was surprisingly excluded from the Spanish EURO 2008 squad, which Spain eventually won. It was a shocking decision as Spain went into the tournament without a proper right midfielder, as David Silva and Andres Iniesta exchanged flanks to fill the void throughout the tournament.

He was also excluded from the latest Spanish squad in the friendly against Chile.

In the bid to win their first World Cup, should Spain give Joaquin a recall?

If Joaquin finds his way back into the Spanish squad, he would definitely be a good addition to the solid Spanish midfield with the likes of Xavi, Marcos Senna, Cesc Fabregas, David Silva, Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta, and Santi Cazorla already in the team.