![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Luis-De-La-Fuente-3c8b.jpg\")
\n\t\tLuis de la Fuente believes David Raya is being overlooked in Spain\u2019s goalkeeping debate<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tLuis de la Fuente believes David Raya is being overlooked in Spain\u2019s goalkeeping debate<\/p>\n
Luis de la Fuente has suggested that the media are overlooking Arsenal<\/a>\u2019s David Raya<\/a> in the debate about Spain\u2019s first-choice goalkeeper for the World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n Spain have a wealth of goalkeeping options ahead of this summer\u2019s World Cup with Raya competing for a place alongside Athletic Bilbao<\/a>\u2019s Unai Simon, Barcelona<\/a>\u2019s Joan Garcia and Real Sociedad\u2019s Alex Remiro.<\/p>\n Simon, who was Spain\u2019s goalkeeper for their successful Euro 2024 campaign<\/a>, was given a full 90 minutes on Friday night as La Roja sealed a 3-0 friendly win against Serbia<\/a>. Raya and Remiro were both on the bench, while Simon failed to make the squad.<\/p>\n Spain are due to play Egypt<\/a> in their next friendly on Tuesday but De la Fuente has refused to confirm whether Raya, Remiro or Garcia will get a chance to impress.<\/p>\n Speaking after the victory against Serbia in Villarreal<\/a>, De la Fuente made a point of highlighting how highly regarded Raya is in the Premier League and questioned why he has not received more calls from the media to start the Arsenal goalkeeper for the national side.<\/p>\n \u2018I can\u2019t clear up any doubts for you. The best news is that I have no doubts at all. I have complete confidence in them. There\u2019s something special about them,\u2019 De la Fuente said when asked about his goalkeeping situation.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t\t\tYour football fix\t\t\t<\/p>\n Metro<\/strong>‘s Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week’s biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.<\/p>\n Sign up here<\/a>, it’s an open goal.<\/p>\n \u2018The best news is seeing that all four goalkeepers, regardless of who was left out, embraced each other and are encouraging one another.<\/p>\n \u2018Unai Simon is Unai Simon, Raya is a fantastic goalkeeper, and Alex Remiro is just as good.<\/p>\n \u2018We\u2019ll see what happens between now and Tuesday, but I have no doubts. My only regret is leaving one out. Let\u2019s wait and see, don\u2019t be in such a hurry, and enjoy not only these four goalkeepers but also some of the others we have.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t When asked if the decision to give Simon a full game against Serbia reaffirms his position as Spain\u2019s first-choice goalkeeper, De La Fuente replied: \u2018I don\u2019t have to reaffirm Unai\u2019s place.<\/p>\n \u2018It would be unfair if we didn\u2019t value Unai\u2019s quality, class, career, and professional experience. It would be absurd for me to have to come here and reaffirm it, just because he\u2019s Unai Simon. When a goalkeeper is at this level, you have to respect his standing and his career.<\/p>\n \u2018Besides, we have David Raya, who I\u2019m eager for you to ask me about. In England, they consider him the best goalkeeper in the world, and here nobody talks about him.<\/p>\n \u2018The same goes for Joan Garcia and Alex Remiro, let\u2019s be fair. But Unai Simon is indisputable. The others have a lot of talent and class, but everything in its own time.<\/p>\n \u2018We haven\u2019t changed the goalkeepers because we understand that they are special positions and need to be treated differently, but I insist that we have three other impressive goalkeepers besides Unai.\u2019<\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"VILLARREAL,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_291193422-60c1.jpg\")
\n\t\tUnai Simon was given a full 90 minutes in Spain\u2019s 3-0 win against Serbia (Getty)<\/p>\n![\"Mandatory](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_290971350-63d6.jpg\")
\n\t\tDavid Raya was on the bench for Spain\u2019s 3-0 win against Serbia on Friday (Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
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