Spain: 5 La Roja Players That Must Step Up Before the World Cup

The World Cup in Brazil is quickly approaching and every nation is doing what they can to prepare. For Spain it will be a chance to defend their status as champions, but it won’t be easy.

For the most part Spain’s core is still very much intact from their last World Cup appearance. However, there are several pieces that need to be settled and a few players that must solidify their place in Vicente del Bosque’s squad.

In this article we will take a quick look at five Spanish players that must step up before the World Cup and what their roles might be next summer while also assuming that they will make it through qualification.

Cesar Azpilicueta

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Without question the weakest point in the Spain lineup is at the right-back position. Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa has manned the right side for years now but just isn’t on the same level as his teammates.

To shore up the defense Spain will either need to make a change at right-back or give Arbeloa competition.

That is where Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta comes in.

The 24-year-old is one of Spain’s most promising right-backs and has what it takes to earn the starting role under Del Bosque. He is a wonderful defender and can also contribute to the attack without hurting the back line.

He may not be getting many opportunities at Chelsea at this point, but Del Bosque continues to believe in him. Azpilicueta will need to take every chance he gets with the Spanish team, and it is important that he begins to fight for a starting role.

Gerard Pique

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Staying with the topic of defenders brings us to our next player who must step up. Everyone should have seen this coming but Barcelona's Gerard Pique has to take his game to the next level before Brazil.

Last season was a disaster for the Catalan center-back. He made constant mistakes and struggled for form. Stating that he played badly last season is actually putting it nicely.

This season the 26-year-old is playing much better. He hasn’t made as many mistakes and is becoming solid again in the Barcelona lineup.

However, Pique is far from the star he was when Spain won the World Cup in 2010. With the Spanish squad significantly short of center-backs, there is no room for error.

There will be a big load to carry by Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos. The Barcelona man must be at his best or Spain could suffer.

Santi Cazorla

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The amazing pairing of Xavi and Andres Iniesta will remain for Spain at the World Cup, but they can’t do it alone. Other midfielders will need to step up to provide help and Santi Cazorla is the man for the job.

The Arsenal midfielder may not be as gifted as the two Barcelona midfielders but he is very important. He adds more direct play and is a stronger attacking option as he can score some beautiful goals.

Cazorla will not play in Spain’s biggest matches, but he has to be ready to. Xavi is not the player he used to be and at 33 years of age it will be difficult to play every match.

Therefore, Cazorla must give Del Bosque a reason to have faith in him if the midfield is going to be covered. He may not be a starter, but Cazorla may very well be the most important bench player there is for Spain.

Any Striker

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With all of Spain’s tremendous talent one would think that finding a capable striker would be simple. Well it doesn’t seem to be.

Over the last year Del Bosque has used David Villa, Alvaro Negredo, Roberto Soldado, Fernando Torres, Michu and Cesc Fabregas as strikers. Sadly, none of them have really stood out.

Though all great forwards, Spain needs a bit more. You can’t win matches without scoring goals and that is an area that La Roja is in desperate need of.

Wingers such as Pedro and David Silva offer options that will help the team score, but without a standout striker things could get very difficult for La Roja.

Someone needs to step up and make the decision for Vicente del Bosque. At this point it seems as though Cesc Fabregas will remain the first choice but that is only settling.

It is time for Spain to find their true starting center-forward.

Javi Martinez

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If there is any player that needs to be playing a bigger role for Spain it is Bayern Munich’s Javi Martinez. Not only is the 25-year-old one of the best holding midfielders in the world, but he is hungry and experienced.

In August it was reported by ESPN.com that Xabi Alonso would miss several months of action after fracturing metatarsal in Real Madrid training and has yet to fully recover.

At this point there is no assurance that Alonso will be in the roster that goes to Brazil, but even if he does, it is unlikely that he will assume the same role he has over the past few years.

Martinez is now set to overtake Alonso in the Spanish squad and he has to show that he is ready to do so. The Basque midfielder as proven himself in Europe but hasn’t had the chance to do so for Spain yet. But his time will come.

It isn’t known if Del Bosque will use his traditional double pivot or just opt for one holding midfielder, but whatever he decides Martinez must be ready.

Who must step up for Spain before the World Cup? Is there anyone that needs a call up? Leave your thoughts and comments below!

Tre’ Atkinson. Follow me on Twitter for more discussions on La Furia Roja!

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