Will ANY England player get into the Spain XI?

ENGLAND VS SPAIN 

Spain are so unbelievably blessed with talent that they can leave out some of the Premier League's best players, as they do on a regular basis, from matchday squads.

Indeed, the calibre of their players is such that England once considered attempting to naturalise Mikel Arteta (0 Spain caps) and Manuel Almunia (0 Spain caps) because of their own dearth of quality in those areas.

It makes you think.

And while you engage in that thinking, it's only natural, one would suppose, to look at the current state of the England team and wonder who from that rag-tag bunch would even have a hope of getting in the Spain XI.

Now, it's important to set some parameters so this is done on the assumption that everyone would be fully fit. That means that all the players who have pulled out with slight knocks to give England a remote chance of victory at Wembley are available.

It also requires some slight guesswork on what we think the favoured XI is for each of these coaches, both quite new to their respective jobs, but with both now set to be in their for the long-term with Gareth Southgate bracing for a four-year, £6million deal.

Goalkeepers: David De Gea vs Joe Hart

Having finally retired Iker Casillas, David De Gea is the clear number one for Spain and one of the planet's best goalkeepers.

With his club future cleared up in the medium term (at the very least) the 26-year-old can concentrate on making himself one of the most valuable players around.

Hart, who Manchester City were so desperate to get rid of that they're paying most of his wages still, doesn't even come close.

Winner: De Gea

Right-back: Juanfran vs Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker is a tremendous athlete and, as a footballer, took a big step forward last year as Tottenham pushed for the title.

And yet, the Englishman is nowhere near the quality of Atletico Madrid's Juanfran.

Spain are blessed with four right-backs; Cesar Azpilicueta, Sergi Roberto, Hector Bellerín and Juanfran, who would probably start for the Three Lions.

Winner: Juanfran

Centre-back: Gerard Pique vs Gary Cahill

Gerard Pique is arguably the best central defender in the world right now.

His performances, both in technical terms and in the way he led his side, were extraordinary down the stretch for Barcelona last season and he's streets ahead of Gary Cahill who probably doesn't even start for Chelsea when everybody is fit.

Winner: Pique

Centre-back: Sergio Ramos vs John Stones

While the Spanish David Luiz is in decline and hasn't enjoyed a good season thus far, it would be an enormous stretch to prefer Stones to the Real Madrid captain right now.

They're both fairly error prone, and that is part and parcel of who they are as players, but Ramos remains a better bet and has so many clutch moments under his belt that he has to be included.

It may all change in six months or so, however.

Winner: Sergio Ramos

Left-back: Jordi Alba vs Danny Rose

The Barcelona flyer is probably the best left-back in the world, and if he isn't then add an 'a' in the middle of his name and you've found him.

Danny Rose, like Kyle Walker, has improved immensely but isn't close.

Winner: Jordi Alba

Central midfielder: Sergio Busquets vs Eric Dier

This feels a bit like we're picking on England but you have a choice here between the best deep-lying midfielder on the planet, the man who makes Barcelona tick, or Eric Dier.

Dier's development is encouraging for both club and country, and it's important he's allowed to settle and find a position rather than being moved around and used as a utility man like he has been in the past.

But this is Sergio Busquets. Dier isn't even in the same conversation yet.

Winner: Busquets

Central midfielder: Andres Iniesta vs Jordan Henderson

Did you know that no player in the Premier League has touched the ball more or made more passes than Jordan Henderson this season?

Did you know that it makes no difference and Andres Iniesta is on another planet to the Liverpool man?

You probably did, to be fair.

Winner: Iniesta

Right attacking midfield: David Silva vs Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott (who is now 27, would you believe?) has had an excellent season for Arsenal this year but David Silva has had plenty of them over the years.

Silva is thriving under new Spain boss Julen Lopetegui and is celebrating 10 years with La Roja.

Winner: Silva

Attacking midfield: Thiago vs Adam Lallana

Spain have a lot of players who could have slotted in here. Isco, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Koke, Cesc Fabregas, Saúl Ñiguez and Denis Suarez are all exceptionally good midfielders who most teams would love to have playing behind the striker.

The Bayern Munich man, if he can stay fit, is one of the best players to watch and under his former mentor Julen Lopetegui he should become a fixture in the new Spain side.

And while Adam Lallana has taken another step forward under Jurgen Klopp - and remains one of England's most technically-gifted players - he's still not winning this match-up.

Winner: Thiago

Left attacking midfield: Nolito vs Raheem Sterling

ENGLAND WIN!

The Manchester City winger is unstoppable on his day and Pep Guardiola's arrival is one of the best things that could have happened to him.

Nolito is behind Sterling at club level and behind him again as the Three Lions get their first representative on the board.

Centre-forward: Diego Costa vs Harry Kane

This is a pretty close one.

Both are excellent centre-forwards who lead the line well for London rivals.

Costa has the edge at the moment, but Kane will overtake him in time.

Winner: Diego Costa

So that's one England player and ten Spanish ones. Your move, Gareth Southgate!