Spain vs England: Combined XI

Combined team of two International giants ahead of the game tonight

England travel to Estadio José Rico Pérez tonight to play ex-World Cup winners Spain in their first International friendly since qualifying for Euro 2016, and ahead of the game we look at the combined XI of the two teams.

GK: David De Gea – Spain

Superb for Manchester United last season and almost made a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, possibly even the best goalkeeper in the world right now, he would get into any international and club team.

RB: Cesar Azpilicueta – Spain

Despite Chelsea faultering at the moment. Azpilicueta is still a top defender and right-back and will comfortably get into this Spain side, and is head and shoulders above players such as Kyle Walker and Nathaniel Clyne at the moment to.

CB: Chris Smalling – England

Really on top form at Manchester United at the moment, finally coming good after taking a lot of stick in his early days at Old Trafford, he’s now an established top centre-back in the Premier League and is getting there at an international level too.

CB: Gerard Pique – Spain

He’s been at the top level for years and with Sergio Ramos injured, he’s always going to get into the side.

LB: Jordi Alba – Spain

Despite how impressive Ryan Bertrand has been this season, Jordi Alba’s experience will always earn him the nod ahead of the Englishman.

CDM: Sergio Busquets – Spain

He’s been a rock in Barca’s midfield for years now and an asset in the Spanish national team

CDM: Thiago – Spain

Great at Bayern at the moment, and is currently a fantastic playmaker in the deeper role, he would sneak in ahead of Andreas Iniesta with the legend getting on a bit.

RW: Raheem Sterling

He hasn’t completely flopped since moving from Liverpool to City, impressing the Etihad crowd and making headlines for goals, and that earns him a spot in this team here.

CAM: Juan Mata

An outstanding players who really drives Manchester United forward, he would get into this team without a doubt, he’s an absolute world class player.

LW: Santi Cazorla

He’s in form for an in-form Arsenal, and his set-pieces are superb, his creativity and work rate is enough to get him into this side.

ST: Jamie Vardy

Couldn’t be avoided, he’s arguably the best player in the Premier League at the moment, on track to level a wonderful record held by Ruud van Nistelrooy, and at the moment a well deserving member of the England team and this combined team.

So as you can see, most of our combined XI is Spanish players, but credit to Smalling, Sterling and Vardy for representing England.

Who will win tonight’s friendly?

By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10