Barcelona star Joan Garcia believes that his Spanish counterpart David Raya is the ‘best goalkeeper on this planet’.
Garcia earned his first senior call-ups to the Spanish national team for this month’s friendlies against Serbia and Egypt.
The Bara shotstopper, who attracted interest from Arsenal last summer, will look to offer competition with Raya, Unai Simon and Alex Remiro for the primary jersey in Luis de la Fuente’s side.
Currently, Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Simon is seen as the primary alternative by De La Fuente, starting throughout Spain’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Nevertheless, speaking on the national team training camp, Garcia argued that his teammate Raya is currently the world’s best in between the sticks after his super season at Arsenal.
‘Right away, I like David Raya,’ Garcia told El Larguero when asked who he thought was the perfect ‘keeper on this planet at present.
‘He’s having a unbelievable season within the Premier League.
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‘He’s under immense pressure with set-pieces, his footwork… He’s playing at a really high level and I’m really having fun with watching him.’
Asked if there was a rivalry between himself and the opposite Spanish ‘keepers, Garcia added: ‘No, under no circumstances. We’re 4 top-class goalkeepers and every of us will attempt to do our greatest. There’s nothing like that.
‘Regarding Unai Simon, I’d say that the calm and tranquility he exudes could be very essential. Unai does that.
‘As for Remiro, amongst many other things, I like how quick he’s between the posts and along with his feet. He’s superb too.
‘David Raya is excellent along with his feet and is a really brave goalkeeper who tries to assist the team in any way he can.’
Prior to the international break, Raya watched from the bench as his Arsenal side suffered a 2-0 defeat within the Carabao Cup final.
Mikel Arteta opted to stick to Kepa Arrizabalaga for the Wembley showpiece, a call that was widely criticised after the Gunners second-choice ‘keeper made a mistake for City’s opening goal.
‘I do know people will say it’s sentiment and he played in the sooner rounds, but Kepa shouldn’t be nearly as good as Raya. That’s why he’s the number two,’ Jamie Redknapp said on Sky Sports.
‘So why, in a significant cup final while you’re attempting to get across the road and also you’ve not won a trophy in so long, do you choose to play him? You’ve got to take responsibility for that. That could be a monumental error.
‘He’s not a foul goalkeeper – he isn’t not nearly as good as Raya. It has come back and backfired big time. That’s not me being sensible after the event, I said it before the sport.’
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