Aymeric Laporte has had a blossoming career at club level, first with Athletic Bilbao and now Manchester City yet he has been unable to break onto the international scene. However, the Spanish national side is in talks with the 26-year old defender to switch allegiance.
Laporte Set to Switch Allegiance to Spain
Aymeric Laporte to Move Past France Snub and Switch to Spain
With the European Championships on the horizon, an opportunity has arisen for the central defender to switch his allegiances to Spain. Despite being a world-class centre back for Manchester City, France head coach Didier Deschamps has snubbed Laporte since he took charge back in 2013.
Deschamps has won a World Cup as the France manager so he has a good football resume. However, Luis Enrique wants Laporte for Spain; in an area where the side is sorely lacking some quality depth. He could fill that void and Spain will be among the favourites to win Euro 2021. Aymeric Laporte is the missing piece.
Laporte The Missing Piece
The 26-year old partnered with Sergio Ramos is one of the most dangerous centre-back duos in European football. Additionally, Laporte can be Spain’s first choice centre-back if Ramos gets injured. Furthermore, with the roller-coaster career, David de Gea has had with Spain, Laporte is as good a safety blanket as possible. Great centre back plays make the goalkeeper’s job so easy. For example, Paris Saint-Germain had zero shots on goal because of the phenomenal play of Ruben Dias. Furthermore, Ederson did not have much to do or worry about.
The rest of the team is full of world-class talent. Particularly, the numerous Spanish attackers and midfielders. With so much talent the depth in the squad is phenomenal. Ferran Torres, Adama Traore, Ansu Fati and Alvaro Morata are some of those forwards that could take part in the squad.Â
Along with brilliant midfielders like Rodri, Marcos Llorente and Thiago Alcantara. If Laporte plays to his potential Spain can win the Euros. At the last World Cup, the Spanish side suffered an early exit at the hands of Russia on penalties in the round of 16.
They experienced a poor group stage drawing to Portugal and Morocco in the group stages. Two great centre-backs can win trophies. Defence wins championships.Â
Spain Among Euro Favourites
There are several teams that are favourites to win the Euros. All the teams have their strengths and weaknesses. Enrique directly requested to acquire Laporte. A smart move by Enrique to address their needs.
But there is a lot of competition, Portugal has arguably the best player in this tournament in Cristiano Ronaldo and the undisputedly the best centre-back Ruben Dias. Then you have France who is the defending World Cup champions, a great manager in Deschamps and a generational talent in Kylian Mbappe. The dark horses of every tournament Belgium have the best midfielder in the game Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku is among the best strikers. England now also look strong again with the likes of Phil Foden, the best young player that could show how good he is on the world stage. It will be intriguing to see what the other top teams in Europe do in response to Laporte. The most complete team will win the Euros.
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