Journalist doesn’t think Barcelona goalkeeper can displace existing Spain options despite maiden call-up – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are fortunate to have one of the best young goalkeepers in football. Joan Garcia joined the Catalan club from Espanyol back in the summer and has quickly established himself as a maverick inbetween those posts.

Thus, his first senior Spain call-up is still a big moment, even if not everyone sees it as the start of an immediate leap up the pecking order. For Barcelona, the important part is that one of the club’s goalkeepers is now firmly entering the national-team conversation.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the debate around Joan’s inclusion has grown quickly after Luis de la Fuente called up four goalkeepers for the upcoming friendlies against Serbia on March 27 and Egypt on March 31.

Journalist Juanma Castano addressed the issue on El Partidazo de COPE and made it clear he is not yet convinced Joan can move ahead of the current options.

He said:

That is really the heart of the discussion. Joan earning the call-up is recognition of his progress, but displacing established Spain goalkeepers is a different step entirely, especially when the competition is already strong.

Luis de la Fuente has also proved himself to be a very loyal manager and he has a lot of trust in both Unai Simon as number one and David Raya as his deputy. Even if he were to change his first-choice, the Arsenal man is ahead in the pecking order.

As for Joan, his time will come. For now, it is a massive boost for him to get picked in the Spain squad for the first time. It remains to be seen if he gets a debut against either Serbia or Egypt, but both look unlikely.