Aragones Calls Up Krkic & Albelda.

By: chris | February 2nd, 2008

Luis Aragones, ever one to deviate from the path of normalcy, has decided to make a couple interesting call ups for the friendly against France in the near future. The most exciting is that of Bojan Krkic, the 6 year old Serbo-Spanish wundertoddler from Barcelona (alright, he’s 17 but he doesn’t look a day over 12). Since he’s got a Spanish mommy and a Serbian daddy, he’s eligible for both teams. Since he’s one of the best young talents in the world, both teams want him. But he’s been playing for Spanish youth teams, and Luis would like to wrap him up with a cap before he gets any smart ideas and flies to the Balkans. Makes sense – not that he doesn’t deserve it anyway. Kid’s a stud.

The other callup is David Albelda, who has been a Spanish national team mainstay, but isn’t allowed out of the stands for Ronald Koeman and Valencia CF. So despite spendings weekends on his couch, eating Cheetos and watching Valencia lose all the same without him, he gets the call.

I think Ronnie K has the best take on this situation:

Los Che boss, Ronald Koeman, thus speculated that the midfielder would be an asset to the squad “because he is certainly very fresh.”

However, he wouldn’t be drawn any further on the topic, saying, “It’s a matter for the Spain boss. I respect the decision for the sake of his career, but I don’t share this opinion.”

Really? Never woulda noticed by the nonrole David plays in your team.

For me, the real loser here is the United States, who get to watch a 17 year old Bojan Krkic hurried to get a senior cap for one of the best national teams in the world (that is, until the quarterfinals), while possibly the best player in Spain not playing in Madrid or Barcelona is stuck twiddling his thumbs waiting for Roberto Donadoni to give him a call. And he’s 21. A few months ago, when Donadoni was calling up the children for a South Africa friendly, Giuseppe Rossi didn’t even get a look despite taking La Liga by storm. The Azzurri clearly are not worried about any US involvement. Ouch.

Some Related Stories:

Category: Europe, Spain La Liga, World Football

« Everyone at Chelsea Hearts Milan | Home | The Best Photo of the Day Ever »

The Offside RSS Feeds

Elisa

And where is Diego Capel's call up?
Francesco

Yeah there were some exceptions. Zambrotta made a few senior appearances before he graduated, and Cassano of course because he was in a fight with Gentile.
chris

Francesco, we'll revisit this when a 19 year old Fernando Forestieri gets an Azzurri cap. :)

And I'm not sure talent matters when it comes to the dual-nationality thing. Baggio was only going to play for Italy, it's not like Tibet was waiting in the wings. (And if I recall, Buffon was 19. At the very least, exceptions can be and have been made.)
Elisa

Aragones needs to look for some backup for his Valencia and Liverpool players. They cannot be the main source of La Furia's team. We want the best and most in form players. God it takes the old coot forever to make a decision. But good news on Bojan. How long can we call up Albelda? Aragones is trying to pull a Riquelme ala Argentina on Valencia. Somehow I don't think it will work in time for the Euros.
Francesco

well first, Giuseppe Rossi turned 21 yesterday, which means he's officially tied to Italy for the rest of his career, he can't play for the USA anymore.

Second, you know how it works in Italy Chris, If you are 21 and under, you don't play for the senior team until you graduate from the U21 program. Hell even Roberto Baggio didn't play for the national team until he graduated from the U21's.