Joe Hart has backed Spain’s decision not to play Arsenal title winner David Raya at the World Cup.
Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon started Spain’s first World Cup group game, a goalless draw with Cape Verde, and Sunday’s impressive 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
Raya’s presence on the Spain bench has come as a surprise to Premier League fans given he was an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s title-winning squad last season.
The 30-year-old only conceded 27 goals across the 38-game campaign, claiming the Premier League Golden Glove award for the third successive season.
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Raya’s form at the Emirates Stadium has put him in the conversation to be the world’s best goalkeeper but he nevertheless continues to be overlooked by Spain.
The Premier League winner and Champions League finalist has only earned 13 caps for Spain since making his international debut in 2022.
Bilbao’s Simon, in contrast, has 60 international caps, having been Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper since 2021 and helping Luis de la Fuente’s side become European champions two years ago.
Discussing Raya’s World Cup snub, ex-England goalkeeper Hart said on The Rest is Football: ‘I think it’s tough.
‘Unai Simon came in from David de Gea, who took over from Iker Casillas. De Gea was the No. 1 for a while and he was playing at such a level for Manchester United.
‘But he had a drop-off and [former Spain manager] Luis Enrique was under so much pressure to take him out of the team.
‘Unai Simon wasn’t really bashing the door down at that point but he got in by default and since that moment he’s not really put a foot wrong.
‘The coaches really like him and he obviously helped Spain win the Euros two years ago. I’m a massive fan of David Raya, he is hot right now and is at the peak of his powers and seems to be getting even better.
‘But as a goalkeeper once you’ve got that No. 1 jersey, you almost have to lose it yourself rather than someone go past you.
‘Simon is playing at such a high level for his club and country and not really putting a foot wrong, he’s an important cog in their machine. He’s a really good goalkeeper, he’s a safe pair of hands.
‘Of course David Raya is one of the best at this moment in time but Simon has done well over the last couple of years so they’re going to do well to take the jersey off him.’
Asked whether he would start Raya ahead of Simon, Hart added: ‘I can make a case for why David Raya should be playing.
‘He’s electric and a real matchwinner. There’s no way Arsenal win the Premier League without him being at his elite best.
‘But Unai Simon is safe and solid, a real vital cog in this Spain side. I don’t think the manager would lose a wink of sleep if he had to play either one of them.’
After getting their World Cup campaign back on track against Saudi Arabia, Spain will look to clinch top spot in Group H on Saturday when they face Uruguay.
Euro 2024 winners Spain are one of the favourites to win the World Cup alongside defending champions Argentina, 2022 runners-up France and England.
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