MY ACCOUNT
David de Gea’s omission was the main talking point from Spain’s recent squad announcement — but it also saw Brentford goalkeeper David Raya earn his first call-up.
The 26-year-old was included in the 23-man roster by manager Luis Enrique for upcoming friendlies against Albania and Iceland after some solid displays in the Premier League.
Ahead of his potential debut, we look at whether a strong international showing could earn the Bees stopper a summer move.
Unknown quantity
Raya’s inclusion came as a surprise to many in his homeland, not least because he took 45-cap international and Manchester United No1 De Gea’s place in the squad.
But it is testament to how highly Enrique clearly rates Raya that the first time the Bees man has been available since a three-month knee injury, he has been included.
On his selection, Raya told Marca: “I understand [why it was a big surprise in Spain]. I left here when I was 16 years old and it’s normal that many people didn’t keep up with my progress or who I was.
“I’ve played almost all my life in the Championship and I came from the bottom, from playing in the fifth division.
“That’s the beauty of football. I hope that now many people know my story and where I come from.”
Raya of light
Raya was between the sticks as the Bees started this season well, losing just three of their first nine games before being sidelined.
With him out of the side between October and January, Thomas Frank’s men lost nine out of 14 games and plummeted towards the drop zone.
But their No1 has returned to the fold for their last seven fixtures and it has coincided with an upturn in fortunes, with two straight victories against Norwich and Burnley easing their relegation fears.
And the Danish boss thinks his team would be in a much more comfortable position had they not been missing Raya for such a large part of the season.
The 48-year-old said earlier this month: “I am convinced that if we had David in the team we would have more points.
“It’s not easy to put a number, but I know we have quite a few more points with him in goal — not only because of saves, but also how he knows all the players in the back four, the back three.
“He plays with such confidence. He is an experienced player so he is also, on set-pieces, not just focused on himself — he says ‘Pontus [Jansson] go here, Ethan [Pinnock] go there’ and is still completely aware of everything around him.”
Bigger things
Raya’s strong form in the Championship after signing from Blackburn in 2019, and then the Bees’ subsequent failure in the play-off final that first season, saw him linked with a host of top clubs.
Several other stars left but the West Londoners managed to keep their stopper, holding off reported interest from Arsenal.
Remaining at the club helped them achieve promotion the following season, but it has not prevented the Spaniard staying on other teams’ radars.
And the player himself recently admitted he would be open to a transfer in the future — particularly if it was a return to his homeland in LaLiga.
When asked about a move back to Spain, he said: “I’m not one to close doors. You have to see the opportunities and what the right options are. I don’t close the door to playing in LaLiga at all.
“What’s more, I would like to be able to experience Spanish football, but I really enjoy it at Brentford and in the Premier League. Time will tell.”
The stats
The statistics back up the feeling that Raya has been one of the English top flight’s most competent keepers this term.
The Bees custodian ranks in the top five for stopping goals from inside the box (0.81 goals conceded per 90 minutes) and crosses caught (1.13 per 90) among Premier League keepers to have played six games or more.
With Raya in the side, Brentford have conceded 1.13 goals per 90 — the sixth best record in the division — while his 3.31 saves per 90 rank him ninth.
It is rare you can play for a top team without being comfortable with the ball at your feet and that is where Raya is among the league’s best.
He has attempted the most passes per 90 (41.81) and ranks third for those of which were completed (25.38) — edged out by Brighton keeper and fellow Spaniard Robert Sanchez and Liverpool’s Alisson in that metric.
But Raya also completes the most long passes (11) and touches per 90 (52.56) — his ball-playing skills important in taking the pressure off a Bees side often on the back foot.
Chance to shine
If handed his international debut against either Albania on Saturday or Iceland next week it would be Raya’s first time in a team of big-name stars.
Frank is in no doubt that his keeper has earned that opportunity, saying: “David has clear and obvious abilities in terms of playing with his feet, high position, and being very aggressive in coming for crosses.
“He definitely deserves it.”
If Raya takes his chance to shine, the Brentford manager could have plenty of calls coming in for his goalkeeper this summer.
