Barcelona veteran in contention for Spain call-up for Netherlands double-header | OneFootball

The competition for a starting spot in central defence for Spain has been strong in recent times, especially with Luis de la Fuente having options not only in the veteran category but also a handful of young talents who have proven their worth.

Pau Cubarsi is one player who falls in the latter category and has become a regular member of the Spanish National Team squad at this point.

Despite the riches at his disposal, however, the national team coach suddenly stares at a situation where many players are injured ahead of the upcoming international matches against the Netherlands and must look for new names to call up.

Inigo Martinez is an option

As relayed by Alfredo Matila, De la Fuente is considering Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez as an option to be called up for Spain this month.

The La Roja manager will not be able to call up Aymeric Laporte and Dani Vivian with both players injured and still unfit to play.

In top form. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Pau Torres will likely not make it, having only recently recovered from his injury setback. The likes of Robin Le Normand and Aitor Paredes are far from their best and are thus unlikely to be preferred for the upcoming international break.

Given the situation, the Spain manager must thus look for a reliable option who can cover all bases required for the games later this month and Martinez has emerged as a serious option given his form for the club this term.

The Spanish veteran, after all, has been a regular starter for Barcelona all season and is well in the conversation as one of the best defenders this term.

The former Athletic Club captain already has 20 La Liga appearances under his belt and a further seven in the UEFA Champions League.

The only scenario in which Martinez is not called up for the upcoming international break, it would appear, is if the coach prefers to side with young and upcoming talents and thus looks towards the likes of Raul Asencio, Mario Gila, or Dean Huijsen.