With the World Cup draw on Friday, the thoughts of every player with aspirations of representing their country in Russia will turn towards the tournament.
Having gone to the European Championship with Spain in 2016, Hector Bellerin will be hoping that Spain manager Julen Lopetegui has him in his plans for next summer.
La Roja sit in pot two of the draw, along with nations such as England, Uruguay and Croatia, meaning that the 2010 winners could be drawn with one of Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium or France, yet Bellerin is not concerned.
“It’s something that everyone is really excited about,” he told Arsenal Player. “Since Spain have changed coaches the team has looked really good and even in the last few friendlies the team has impressed a lot of people, because after we won the World Cup and the Euros a lot of people could see that there was a bit of a generational transition.
“There were players who have been World Cup winners and have retired or they play in other teams not at the top level anymore, so there’s always that time when the new generation have to step up. I feel that Spain have done really well with that and there’s other stars in the team that are doing really well - I’m very excited for the draw and looking forward to the tournament.
“It could be difficult, but if you see the other teams in pot two as well they can make things hard for you, so at the end of the day whatever teams you get, you have to go with the same mentality and hopefully make it through the group stage. it will be difficult, but I think Spain has it in them.”
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