Luis de la Fuente Reveals Rodri's Real Madrid Move Was Expected Before Barcelona Shock

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has revealed he was fully expecting Rodri to sign for Real Madrid, right up until the midfielder stunned everyone by joining Barcelona instead.

Speaking to El Larguero, the national team coach said he'd been tracking the transfer saga closely because of his close relationship with the player, but even he didn't see the Camp Nou move coming. 

"It's true that I was surprised at first, but it's also true that I have a very good relationship with him and his entourage, and they kept me informed at certain times," he said.

For months, Rodri had been strongly linked with a return to the Spanish capital under Jose Mourinho. The switch to Barcelona instead caught pretty much everyone off guard, De la Fuente included.

Despite the surprise, De la Fuente says he's just glad to see Rodri back playing in Spain at all. He's previously voiced concern about how many of Spain's top players ply their trade abroad, and sees this generation's return to La Liga as a big win for the domestic game. 

"The most important thing is to see those top players playing in Spain," he said. "What surprises me is that I see so many players from this fantastic generation playing outside Spain. That's why I'm celebrating the fact that they've come back and are raising the standard of Spanish football and the league."

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente

Rodri's arrival at Barcelona has got people talking about how he'll fit alongside Pedri in midfield, with some wondering if their playing styles clash. De la Fuente isn't worried, though he did admit Pedri may need to adjust his game. 

"Yes, of course they can, but we have to be aware that Pedri's playing style has changed a bit," he explained. "And I said it at the World Cup: I prefer the Pedri from the national team, because it's not the same playing with one set of teammates versus another."

He added: "Rodrigo makes you play differently; Pedri has to offer other things, and he does because he's so good. Having Rodrigo on the team is always good news, because he's the best in the world in his position. We're privileged to have that kind of relationship between us."

De la Fuente now turns his attention back to the pitch as Spain gear up for a busy autumn schedule. The world champions kick things off with a big friendly against England in London on 26 September, before heading to Oviedo to face the Czech Republic on 3 October. Their international window wraps up with a tough away test against Croatia to close things out.