2 points margin, its never this tight b4 

He loss to many ball possessions. He made wrong pass. His defense was bad. The last 3 matches shown that he's not the same Xavi we knew.

Most successful keeper in Europe not called up

Catalan news site Sport recently published several articles about FC Barcelona goalkeeper Víctor Valdés (28), examining why he will not be called up by Spanish national team coach Vicente del Bosque for the World Cup in Africa.

This is despite the fact that, according to a study published by Prime Time Sport, Valdes is indisputably one of the best goalkeepers in the big European leagues, based on his statistics. When compared with the other goalkeepers across Europe, the numbers show that Víctor Valdés is second only to the keeper for Benfica, Quim; unlike Valdés, however, Quim has not played all of the games for his team.

And while it might be argued by some that Valdés should not replace Iker Casillas, despite his better record, the same cannot be said for del Bosque’s other two choices, Pepe Reina and Diego López. It is a fact that Valdés has won the Zamora Trophy twice and leads the Spanish league currently with a goals-against coefficent of .58.  The coefficient for López is 1.54.  In the Premiership, Pepe Reina ranks fifth in that league, behind Brad Friedel (Aston Villa/USA), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham/Brazil), Van der Sar (Manchester United/Holland) and Petr Cech (Chelsea/Czech Republic).

Valdés is the only goalkeeper who leads his league with the best statistics, yet has not been capped by his country. In Paris for the World Cup warm-up game of Spain vs. France, Vicente del Bosque commented on this strange situation:

    (Valdés) is having an excellent season.  He’s doing a fine job and we appreciate it greatly. This does not hide that I can understand the frustration that he feels about not being called up.  In the case of Valdés, it is due exclusively to the fact that a great competition exists for the position of goalkeeper.  That is my only excuse. All of the lists are contestable, and, unfortunately, someone remains outside and it might be that we are not correct.  From some parts of Spain they always want those from their land to come (to the national team).

Spain’s number one goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, also commented on the situation of Víctor Valdés, saying,

    In this moment there are so many and such good goalkeepers that this position could be covered by any of them.  Right now it is Pepe, Diego, and I, and it is a great pleasure and honor.  We understand Víctor Valdés, as well as César, Palop, Asenjo, De Gea, who could also be here.  With this competition,  we Spaniards win, because there is more competitiveness in the goalkeeper position.

source: sport.es
translated: totalbarca

What do you guys think about this issue?

I never hide my support for Valdes. I still remember saying here repeatedly that he is the GK that Barca needs. Not Cech, Buffon, Casillas, Frey or any other names. I am glad he has shown what a GK he is, although some cules still say that Valdes is lucky of having a strong defensive line covering him. They just forget how he saved us more than just a few games. His saves against Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd, all in big UCL matches are match changing saves. Or all those one on one saves when we were exposed to counterattacks, especially when Puyol didn't play. FOr the time being, its hard to imagine Barca's GK other than Valdes. I think he has done enough to at least being at the WC.

And I think it is outrageous when Casillas mentioned Valdes in the same bracket as Asenjo and Cesar, or even De Gea. Fair enough if Valdes is not the first choice GK, as that would mean the removal of the NT captain aka Casillas himself. But what have D.Lopez and Pepe done that suggest they performed better than Valdes?

I won't say he's underrated. But he's definitely improved his game. He's managed to cut out alot of the blunders from his game which plagued the earlier parts of his career. I think it's probably why Del Bosque is still unwilling to pick him. That said Pepe Reina and Diego Lopez are equally as capable as 2nd choice. To say they don't deserve it ahead of Valdes is unfair to them imo. Not to mention Palop is a good GK as well.

And also statistics is never the best judge of players. Barca have like 60-70% possession every game that one can argue that most games Valdes doesn't have much to do compared to Diego Lopez for example.

If you have watched liverpool playing a lot, I'm sure you'll agree that Pepe Reina gets nod ahead of Victor Valder.  He saved liverpool's ass a lot, simply the best performer + most consistent of the team. Just ask  eLm, besides shay given, reina is the best.

well even if he did been called, he probably gonna sit on bench, but it going to b massive of exp just to b in the worldcup,..i really want to see him playing fr spain, hope del Bosque will included him as part of his plan...

In terms of ability, Pepe Reina and D. Lopez are good, yes. But can you say their abilities are better than VV's? I think VV has proven enough to the world that he has the ability as well as mentality to succeed for Spain. He has performed remarkably in big games for Barca.

Don't you think at least del Bosque should have called up Valdes to test him out just in the France friendly? Why the ongoing snub?

And again I can't understand why people keep on using the bolded part as the excuse. What about 30%-40% possession that Barca's opponents usually get? Did they do nothing with it? At least 4-5 dangerous fast counterattacks can be squizzed into this 30-40%.

As I said, Pepe and Lopez are good, But when a NT GK conceded 6 goals against a big team in a game not so long ago, usually he will be dropped from NT for at least a while, especially when there are other competition. Still, Lopez was still in the team against France.

IMHO, to evaluate a GK, its not about how many he get tested in matches, but its how he performed when he is called upon. If Cech comes to Barca would you ever say that his quality has dropped?

Well, he sounds like he prefers VV to be in the NT team too. He also mentioned that VV is technically better than Pepe. I rarely missed Liver's big games, even the Man City game. So I think I've watched enough of Pepe action. I admit he is good, but I think if Pepe gets his chance, VV should have his too.

Then can you say for sure VV's abilities are better than both of them? VV has proven his ability, yes I agree. I have never said he wasn't good enough. But so has Pepe Reina.

The problem is why should Del Bosque change things up for the GK position when Spain obviously has an embarassment of riches for that position? Has any of the chosen 3 failed to perform for the NT in the 1st place?

It's not an excuse. It's a valid counter argument. And you're kidding yourself if you think a small team can squeeze 4-5 dangerous counterattacks with 30%-40% possession which I might add is spent mostly in their half.

Thing is if Spain had a problem with the GK position then it would necessitate a change. But since there is no problem why the need to change it up?

I won't say he's underrated. But he's definitely improved his game. He's managed to cut out alot of the blunders from his game which plagued the earlier parts of his career. I think it's probably why Del Bosque is still unwilling to pick him. That said Pepe Reina and Diego Lopez are equally as capable as 2nd choice. To say they don't deserve it ahead of Valdes is unfair to them imo. Not to mention Palop is a good GK as well.

And also statistics is never the best judge of players. Barca have like 60-70% possession every game that one can argue that most games Valdes doesn't have much to do compared to Diego Lopez for example.

Del Bosque is still unwilling to pick him. That said Pepe Reina and Diego Lopez are equally as capable as 2nd choice,To say they don't deserve it ahead of Valdes is unfair to them

Barca have like 60-70% possession every game that one can argue that most games Valdes doesn't have much to do compared to Diego Lopez

Well, I don't rate De Gea for Seleccion just yet. He is just too young. Asenjo may have more realistic chance, but he has been struggling with his fitness this season. For me, the biggest challengers for the spots in WC are Pepe, Lopez, Valdes and Palop. Having won Zamora trophy twice, and well on course for a third one, VV should be heralded as one of the best in Spain. But so far, among these 4 GKs, he is the only one who doesn't get the nod yet. Isn't that strange?

i watched reina play for liverpool, yes, he did made mistakes n great saves as well,, as for diego i dint watch much of his game, but critics does rate him good i guess most of us agree with that but how on earth he managed to b third choice?,,just by playing good? even palop n valdes r doing good..the point is, he haven't show anything yet  in big stages compare to his other competitors which right now is valdes...

Good point there.

Why does he get such 'immunity' from Del Bosque? What is Lopez's role in the NT team that VV can't do? It surely is not a big role, since he has only got 1 cap so far. I think if Del Bosque called VV up for France friendly and tested him, a considerably large section of his critics would shut up.

Probably he doesn't want people to accuse him of favouring Barca players again? IINM, he has received such accusation in the past. Last year I think