Spain coach Luis de la Fuente talks Lamine, Fermin, Gavi: ‘He will be available against Cape Verde’ | OneFootball

Barcelona’s influence on the Spain national team remains as strong as ever, and Luis de la Fuente’s latest interview offered a revealing glimpse into just how important several Blaugrana stars are to his plans.

Speaking to AS, the Spain manager discussed everything from Lamine Yamal’s fitness concerns to Gavi’s unique impact inside the dressing room. 

He also expressed sympathy for another Barcelona player whose World Cup dream was cruelly interrupted at the worst possible moment.

Spain never stopped worrying about Lamine

Lamine Yamal’s injury setback earlier this year created anxiety not only in Barcelona but also within the Spain camp.

As one of the country’s most influential young players, there were genuine fears that the recovery process could take longer than initially expected, potentially putting his World Cup participation at risk.

De la Fuente admitted that the coaching staff were following the situation closely from the moment the injury occurred.

When asked about the Barcelona forward’s condition, the Spain boss explained,

“Let’s take it one step at a time. They’re improving every day, and the treatment and instructions we received from their clubs and the information they provided us with matched reality perfectly. 

De la Fuente is delighted with Lamine Yamal’s recovery. (Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Getty Images)

“They’ll all be available for Cape Verde. Now, that doesn’t mean they’ll play. We’ll see how we all feel. 

“They come first. And we’ll see in that match whether we need to give them some playing time or not.”

The national team coach then revealed just how concerned Spain had been when the injury first occurred. Reflecting on the situation, he said,

“We were very concerned because we saw that it was an injury that could keep him out for three months, or even two, but that month and a half could certainly have dragged on. 

“But the recovery times we’re seeing are exceptional in terms of both the timeline and the quality of his recovery. And we’re not surprised, but very pleased. 

“Very happy because we’re seeing that his recovery is cutting down on the time needed, and he’s getting better every day. And that leads us to believe he’ll be perfectly fit for the first match.”

De la Fuente devastated by Fermin’s injury

While there was positive news regarding Yamal, the Spain manager also spoke about a Barcelona player who was not as fortunate.

Fermin Lopez had put himself firmly into contention after an outstanding run of form, only for injury to halt his momentum at the worst possible time.

Fermin Lopez will miss the World Cup. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

De la Fuente did not hide his disappointment when discussing the midfielder’s absence.

“The absences that hurt the most are caused by injuries. In this case, Fermín’s latest one. A player who was in fantastic, exceptional form, with such confidence, such assurance. 

“It could have been his World Cup. And he goes down with an injury.”

Gavi’s mentality

Perhaps the most interesting part of the interview arrived when De la Fuente was asked why Gavi continues to be one of the most loved figures within the national team setup.

The Barcelona midfielder has long been admired for his intensity, but the Spain coach believes his influence goes far beyond what many see on matchdays.

“I wish you could see how he’s training. He’s so full of enthusiasm.

“There’s one important aspect, apart from the football itself and the players’ fitness: motivation. And motivation can sometimes turn any situation around. 

“Gavi is a very important player because he has fantastic energy. He demands a lot from his teammates. He demands a lot because he trains with such energy, vitality and enthusiasm… And that’s infectious,” he concluded.