David de Gea hasn’t been playing poorly for Spain, despite some in the Spanish media suggesting otherwise, but he hasn’t been playing very well.
He’s simply not been the match winning superhero Manchester United supporters have grown to love, and his place is repeatedly under question with some even claiming Iker Casillas could make a return to the national team.
Spain have conceded three goals or more for two games in a row and their loss to Croatia this week has come as a big blow. Marca say the goalkeeper is living a ‘double life’, in which he’s one player for Manchester United and a different one for his country.
The Spanish newspaper point out there’s a ‘bigger problem’ and that’s the team’s defence and midfield letting players through too easily and allowing attacks to ‘stampede’ at De Gea.
It’s partly a confidence issue.
The 28 year old knows he’s unquestioned at Old Trafford and that helps his mindset, but for Spain it’s always been different and it took longer than necessary for him to take over from Casillas.
An unfortunate circle continues turning, which sees criticism damage the player’s confidence and harm his performances, and those performances then bring more criticism.
