Michu has been drafted into the Spain squad for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers, on the back of his impressive form for Swansea City.
The 27-year-old was a virtual unknown when Michael Laudrup signed him from Rayo Vallecano last summer, in what turned out to be an absolute steal at just £2million. A return of 18 goals in 35 Premier League matches in his debut season saw the forward shoot to prominence, and he is now regarded as one of the best talents in the country.
Michu has continued his form into the current campaign, with three goals in nine games in all competition, and this has earned him a first call-up to the Spanish national side. With David Villa ruled out of the clashes against Belarus and Georgia with an ankle injury, Vicente Del Bosque has turned to the Swansea frontman for the double-header, despite the availability of Juventus ace Fernando Llorente (seven goals in 22 caps) and Tottenham Hotspur’s Roberto Soldado (seven goals in 12 caps).
“I had a call from my brother,” a thrilled Michu told Cadena SER. “Then I received an email from the Press officer at the Spanish Football Federation. Every Spanish player dreams about this and yet it is complicated. Few people can get to wear the shirt of the best team in the world. There are many absences, but there are still some great footballers in the squad. We will see if I am lucky and can play, whilst I am grateful to be called.”
Spain are currently ahead of France in Group I on goal difference only, although they do have a game in hand. The reigning world champions are fully expected to pick up maximum points from their final two matches, meaning they will have a shot at retaining the crown they won in South Africa back in 2010. And should Michu be given the chance to show what he can do, he may well fancy his chances of boarding the plane to Rio next year.
