Euro 2016: Spain need to ditch Cesc Fabregas and bring in Thiago Alcantara in his place
Former Germany captain looks at what Spain needs to do for a successful Turkey hunt when they meet in Nice this evening
FORMER Germany captain Lothar Matthaus is adding his top tactical insight to SunSport’s star Euro 2016 line-up.
Here the 150-cap legend looks at what Spain needs to do for a successful Turkey hunt as they bid for a third Euro title in a row.
CESC FABREGAS was a shadow man against the Czech Republic.
I think he should be dropped because he simply didn’t do enough for the Spain team.
I’ve watched Fabregas, 29, over the last few years, at Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea.
And you could see it in Spain’s first game on Monday, but it was a mirror of what we have seen all year for Chelsea.
He’s not the leader he used to be and not giving the passes like he could a few seasons ago.
Thiago Alcantara should come in for him. He would be better for the team — more productive, quicker and dynamic than Fabregas would be.
Spain boss Vicente del Bosque should move things around for tonight’s clash with Turkey.
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Nolito didn’t look at home on the left wing. David Silva should switch to that side with Pedro coming in on the right and Celta Vigo’s Nolito replacing Alvaro Morata up front.
That seems harsh on Morata, who has played very well in big games for Juventus.
But the striker doesn’t look as comfortable in a red shirt as he does in a black and white one.
Nolito is not a left winger — he is a central player.
He has the pace but it’s not his position and Silva is more natural there, while Pedro’s speed is useful on the flank.
ANDRES INIESTA is the magic man, not just for Barcelona but also for Spain. He is their key.
Every player in the team believes in Iniesta totally.
He always knows what he has to do every time he gets on the ball. He is the smartest player in the world, simply a perfect player.
People talk about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but you need an Iniesta to win the big titles.
IT was interesting to see how differently Spain’s full-backs played against the Czechs.
Juanfran is always getting forward for Atletico Madrid but it seems that boss Vicente del Bosque has given him an amber light to get within 30 yards of goal but then hold back.
Yet, Jordi Alba has the green light to go as far as he wants on the left, with team-mates filling in.
TURKEY must make changes because they probably need a win after losing to Croatia.
But the big issue is Arda Turan. He’s the captain and best player, but wasted on the left. The Barcelona star is a natural attacking midfielder.
Turkey will hope he comes alive playing against players he knows from La Liga.
LOTHAR MATTHAUS is a SunSport columnist and ITV pundit. www.facebook.com/lothar.matthaeus. Twitter: @LMatthaeus10
