For clubs, planning a progression for players in each position is a daunting, yet intrinsically controlled task that can be incredibly rewarding, allowing them to stay ahead of their rivals.
For national teams, however, this task becomes even more complex. When the time comes for major international tournaments, the final starting line-ups often reflect not only a football nation's philosophy, but also a good deal of fortune.
However, Spain are in a unique strength situation, especially after their recent victories at both senior and youth level, but completely different to La Roja over the past decade. It is their centre-back position where they have some of their best qualities. upcoming talents.
Their current options and their future in that position never end.
Starting with those currently available to head coach Luis de la Fuente, the eldest of which is French-born Aymeric Laporte – the most capped centre-back in the current setup.
The current Al-Nassr centre-back was most achieved by De la Fuente during their successful Euro 2024 campaign, and when playing for his country he often carries ball-playing responsibility. Laporte averaged the highest number of accurate passes of his compatriots during their most recent run of Nations League matches (64.8 per 90 minutes).
He's not just an environmentally friendly ball recycler, though. He is often tasked with making the first incision through the lines and is in the top 4% of centre-backs in the most recent Euros for progressive passing (7.89 per 90). Now 30, and despite his international career only starting four years ago, Laporte appears to be entering his final cycle of tournaments. Yet De la Fuente is packed with options to succeed him.
His partner Robin Le Normand, also born in France, and like Laporte, also plied his trade in the Basque Country before making the switch. The pair complemented each other well during this summer's European Championship, with Laporte as the more active passer and Le Normand as the more aggressive defender.
Within a high defensive line, the 28-year-old is trusted by de la Fuente to step into the third position in midfield, with confidence born from his ability to recover. At the European Championships, Le Normand attempted 1.63 tackles per 90 minutes played, compared to Laporte's 0.52.
As for another contender, Basque native and leftover Basque Dani Vivian has risen into the ranks this season amid a very impressive campaign at the heart of Athletic Club's defence.
If his eight caps in Spain under de la Fuente haven't put him firmly in the back of his mind for selection for the national team, then his stellar performances in La Liga will certainly do the trick. His display of physical dominance against Kylian Mbappe in their 2-1 win in December was the perfect example of this.
Vivian is clearly capable of retaining the best attacking talent in world football and exudes elegance when he plays. Be it in physical battles, where he often has the upper hand, managing to beat 70.8% of dribblers in La Liga during the current season. He also looks sharp on the ball, where he quarterbacks the many willing runners ahead of him for both club and country. He is in the top 13% of central defenders in La Liga for progressive passing.
At the age of 25, Vivian's international career is just beginning, and his attributes make him a perfect fit for the style De la Fuente wants to play.
De la Fuente already wants to take the future into account in his current selection choices. Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi became a revelation when he slotted into Xavi's defensive system during their clean sheet troubles last season, exuding calm beyond his 17 years. His performances for the Catalan side have earned him five caps for Spain so far, all under the current boss.
A member of the incredible La Masia crop that is booming under Hansi Flick, Cubarsi is the best passer Spain has at its disposal – in volume and quality.
He is consistently involved in redirecting possession for his teammates, and in La Liga the youngster ranks top among centre-backs for medium passes (15 to 30 metres). In addition, his trademark ability to punch through opposition lines and find a variety of short and long options within Barcelona's lineup is a skill that translates seamlessly to the national team.
As for his off-the-ball quality, he is quite tenacious and happy to step into midfield to lure an attacker away from goal, but what will please De la Fuente most of all is his judgment on when to play in a high defensive line must step, as seen through his time under Flick. Strangely enough, as the youngest in that structure, he is also the one who sets the line of defense – a future leader.
Understandably, due to his age and the current options available, De la Fuente is wary of rushing him into international action, and Cubarsi was unlucky not to be named in the Euro 2024 squad during the preliminary edition .
The latest Spanish centre-back to emerge in the 2024/2025 season is the only man on this list who has not made a professional appearance for his newly declared home country. Born in the Netherlands, developed in Spain and Italy, and now a vital cog in former Rayo Vallecano boss Andoni Iraola's so far successful attempts to bring a touch of Vallecas to Bournemouth – Dean Huijsen has a very bright future.
At 1.80 meters tall, Huijsen is the tallest player on this list and has a slightly different role than the other current and future players. The 19-year-old needs to be a little more direct in his play as Iraola looks to keep the phases hectic, but since his move he has found himself in the eye of the storm.
He is incredibly active, whether defending in the air (2.66 aerial duels won per 90), or on the floor (2.07 interceptions per 90). Huijsen has used his lanky robotic frame in an attacking sense recently, scoring twice in the Cherries' wins over Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
After his performances for the under-21s, Huijsen is not far away from a first-team bow, and with De la Fuente's willingness to further develop his Spanish side, this will certainly come in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
It looks like the latter two will take over for the next few cycles, and the best part is that once you put your trust in them, they'll stay put for years to come. Even the next dawn of prospects could bring them more joy, an example of this is Joan Martinez who has yet to break through at Real Madrid.
Spain has its centre-back ducks perfectly in a row – and it could seal a new period of dominance.
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