Spain captain Iker Casillas believes David de Gea is "no longer a future prospect but a strong contender" to play in goal for the national team at Euro 2016. Porto goalkeeper Casillas has been the country's first-choice keeper since 2002 but De Gea is considered favourite to start after a solid season for Manchester United. "De Gea is no longer the future but a strong contender," Casillas told Cadena Cope radio.
"It's clear that all of us that are here, we think that we can play. We are 23 players that play as starters for important clubs and we all believe that we can help the national team but deciding who starts is the coach's job."
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque will not make a decision of who will play between the posts until June 13, when his team begins its European Championship campaign against the Czech Republic in Toulouse.
Del Bosque did confirm that de Gea will start against Georgia in Tuesday's friendly in Getafe. Casillas started against South Korea in last week's 6-1 triumph.
Asked if he thinks he will start at Euro 2016, Casillas said, "That is a question for Del Bosque."
De Gea, 25, made his senior debut in June 2014 in an international friendly and was included in Spain's World Cup squad but did not feature.
He has made eight appearances for Spain but only started in three Euro 2016 qualifiers for the European champions, with Casillas as the preferred number one in the last two years.
There is a lot of attention on Casillas and De Gea in the Spanish media. "I know there are 40 cameras focusing on what I do, any gesture that I have towards David will be taken out of context to be used in TV shows," Casillas said.
However, Casillas says that there is a healthy competition in the team. "What I really like is that, besides being 35, I have the same hunger, enthusiasm and I continue to compete," he said.
"Now I'm with De Gea and with (Sevilla goalkeeper) Sergio Rico and it's going well." Asked about his future in the national team, Casillas said, "I will decide after the tournament."
Not favourites
Meanwhile their midfielder Cesc Fabregas has admitted that the reigning champions are no longer no clear favourites to retain their title for the second time running.
Two years on from their early exit at the World Cup, Spain have a chance in France to regain their reputation as the best in Europe if they can repeat the winning performance of the last two Euros.
"There's a good feeling in the camp," the Chelsea midfielder said. "I see everyone with a lot of hunger and will to do something big. Between all of us, we need to take a step forward and bring the Cup where it belongs for a third straight time."
Spain are eager to use Euro 2016 to distance themselves from their abysmal showing in Brazil in 2014 where as defending world champions they crashed out in the first round. They are among the favourites this time, with bookmaker William Hill offering odds of 5-1, behind Germany at 4-1 and the top tip France at 3-1. "I don't see a clear favourite but I don't give importance to that," Fabregas said.
"It doesn't matter if we are favourites. We have to face the games with the maximum seriousness because everyone wants to beat Spain. We have to give our best."
Fabregas, who has earned 105 caps for Spain since his debut in 2006, believes a good start is imperative. At the World Cup, the Netherlands beat them 5-1 in their opener. "It's important to play a good (first) game and win in order for the group to build confidence," the 29-year-old midfielder said.
Even so, Spain showed in 2010 a team can bounce back from an early setback. They lost their first game to Switzerland 1-0 but still won the title.
Published 07 June 2016, 19:10 IST