It's actually more my own perception than anything I've read, so I probably shouldn't have made the point so definitely. At the 2010 World Cup, only one foreign-based player started a match for Spain (Fernando Torres), and at Euro 2012, only 2 (Torres and David Silva), and they didn't start every match. Then I read bits like this in
http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/tacticsandanalysis/id/1521?cc=5901]Michael Cox's column[/url]:
You could just as easily say the selection is based on merit, and for players like Xavi and Iniesta of course it is, but why so for someone like Busquets? As Morgan's Magic Snowplow said, he's not going anywhere- but why? Javi Martinez is better, imo, and since they're similar players I think it'd be worth trying Martinez in Busquets' role.
Not trying to imply it's a big conspiracy, just that the domestic-based players probably have a subtle leg-up by playing in their home country. Then again, that seems to have worked out pretty good for Spain these last few years.
). I consider Cesc to be a pretty "immediate" player too though. The whole Busquets vs Martinez debate is interesting. Busquets has the advantage of playing with the other three midfielders, which I think is a valid argument in his favor. I guess the same argument could be used for Cesc vs Mata. It's a really complicated situation.
