Alonso: Premier League makes Spain stronger

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso believes Spanish players who play in the English Premier League make their national side stronger.

The 29-year-old spent five successful years in the Premier League with Liverpool before joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, and maintains his time in the UK was invaluable.

“Spain benefited from players going to England,” Alonso told The Guardian. “They had the chance to play at the highest level and were given responsibility they might not have had, experiencing a very different type of football.”

“I listened and learnt from people like Carra (Jamie Carragher), Stevie (Gerrard), Didi Hamann and Sami Hyypia and definitely improved. I was privileged to play there and every Spaniard who’s been there loves it.”

Since Alonso’s departure from England in 2009, David Silva and Juan Mata have both switched to the Premier League and made notable impacts.

“The pace of the Premier League is very different. If you can adapt it improves you. I’m not surprised Silva is performing so well. He’s an incredible player and if you can acclimatise you can use the speed to your advantage,” Alonso said.

“If Mata and Silva can employ the technique they possess in a game played at 100 miles an hour, they’ll come back to the national team better players. International football will seem easier for them.”