Real Betis goalkeeper, Álvaro Valles, has been included in Luis de la Fuente's pre-list for the Spanish team's next matches. The decision is based on Valles' solid performance in the current season, where he has proven to be one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the league.
Since the start of the campaign, Valles has kept five clean sheets in ten LaLiga games, a figure he shares with other high-level European goalkeepers such as Unai Simón, Ionuț Radu, David Raya, Bart Verbruggen, Yvon Mvogo and Gregor Kobel. However, the Spaniard stands out for having faced the highest number of shots on goal among his peers, with 56 attempts of which he stopped 42, which translates into a save percentage of 75%. Despite his effectiveness, Valles has conceded 14 goals, ten of which came in two games against Levante and Barcelona, while the remaining four were spread over the remaining eight games of the season.
Valles' performance reached its peak in Betis' last match at the Estadio de la Victoria, where his decisive interventions in the first half secured a draw against Celta de Vigo. This performance consolidated his position as a starter under the direction of Manuel Pellegrini and positioned him as a candidate for the senior call-up. At 29 years old, the goalkeeper has shown maturity and consistency, factors that have caught the attention of the national team.
In Luis de la Fuente's last call-up, the coach included Unai Simón, David Raya and Josep Martínez, replacing Joan García due to injury. Although Valles was not selected on that occasion, his presence on the pre-list indicates that he is still considered a viable option for the next phase of the selection. The inclusion in the shortlist suggests that the coach values Valles' experience and ability to handle pressure situations, which could prove crucial in upcoming international matches.