Xavi Hernandez is 34. Iker Casillas is 33. Andres Iniesta is 30. Xabi Alonso is 32. So is David Villa. Even Pepe Reina-the second choice keeper- is 31.
Age is catching up with the world champions.
Over the last 5 years Spain have dominated opponents with their peculiar brand of tiki-taka- free flowing, short passes, possession driven football.
They won the World Cup in 2010. And successfully defended their Euro title in 2012. But their heroes of the past are now ageing and it has started to show. It is time that Vicente Del Bosque turns to the future.
Spain have some astonishing talent sitting on the bench. The likes of Koke, Pedro, Fabregas, Mata and David De Gea need to be given an opportunity. They have to take the team forward.
These players have been playing in the top football leagues in Spain and England. They have experience. By no means can they be called novices, but such is the abundance of talent in Spain that these players find themselves battling for a start.
Spain's style of football puts a huge workload on its players. Especially in midfield, the constant movement requires stamina, and tired legs are more likely to get caught out in a quick counter attack.
It's a reality that Bosque needs to embrace. Simply playing big names on reputation alone will hurt the Armada in the long run.
Take for example Pepe Reina. At 31 years he has only made 32 appearances in Spanish colours. The 33 year old Casillas has 154. It's a huge imbalance.
By trusting the same set of players, Bosque is hurting the national cause, denying the younger players much needed experience.
Many say that tiki-taka's era is over. It is not. No style of football can be completely defunct, but it certainly has been caught out. Repeatedly. Tiki-taka needs to evolve and grow. It needs fresh legs and fresh minds. Bosque must bite the bullet and look beyond his 'stars'.
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