Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Gunners star Fabregas 'too English' for Spain

Spain manager, Luis Aragones, is faced with a similar quandary but has only until tonight against Russia to come up with a solution.

Squaring the circle: Aragones has to choose how to fit his multitude of talents together

Fernando Torres's spectacular first season for Liverpool has made him a £50million target for Chelsea.

Cesc Fabregas's emergence as one of the finest central midfielders in the world under the guidance of Arsene Wenger means he is coveted by both Real Madrid and Barcelona.

But, like so many before them, Torres and Fabregas have yet to demonstrate their prodigious ability for Spain.

There is no doubt the outrageously talented pair have added extra dimensions to their game in the rough and tumble of the Premier League.

Explaining the issues: Spain's coach Luis Aragones (right) talks to Fernando Torres during a training session

So, too, have the other members of the Spanish squad who play their football in England, Liverpool's Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso and Pepe Reina.

But there is a school of thought in Spain that the tricks of the trade the Iberian imports have adopted to become so successful in England are actually proving detrimental when it comes to reintegrating themselves into the style employed by their country.

The Spanish media are obsessed with the phrase 'tiqui-taca' when referring to how the national side go about their business.

'Pass and move' or 'pretty stuff ' provide the best translations. And having become used to the breakneck speed of the Premier League, Torres and Fabregas, in particular, are struggling to come to terms with the pedestrian-paced possession football preferred by the national side.

Central issue: Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas may miss out on a midfield role for Spain

Aragones tends to favour a 4-1-4-1 system, with either Alonso or Villarreal's Marcos Senna screening the defence.

It is designed to get the best out of the area where Spain are blessed with an embarrassment of riches, midfield. But, despite the talents of Fabregas, Barcelona's Xavi and Andres Iniesta and Valencia's David Silva, too often the similarly-styled quartet become bogged down in a congested game of keep ball in the centre of the park.

The absence of directness in their play also contrives to leave Torres an isolated figure in attack.

Lacklustre displays in their two warm-up matches against Peru and the U.S.A. have given Aragones plenty of cause for concern.

Speaking in the wake of last Wednesday's laboured 1-0 win over the States, Aragones admitted: "In the first half, Fernando Torres seemed like he was an island, alone, and that wasn't good. We didn't open them up and we lacked rhythm. If we play like that, things will be complicated."

In a bid to get more out of Torres and provide his side with more cutting edge, Aragones may partner the Liverpool man with Valencia's David Villa, fit again after a thigh problem.

It will mean sacrificing one of his midfielders and, unfortunately for Fabregas, he is the most likely candidate for the chop.

"It won't be a blow, I'm just here to help the team," said Fabregas about the likelihood he will start on the bench.

"You have to analyse the way we play for the national team," he added. "At Arsenal, there is only one channel between the defence and attack and that is me, so I'm involved in practically all the attacks. But here, there are more variations, more ways of attacking. Good players have to be able to adapt."

Tactical questions aside, Spain certainly have the talent to be challenging for the title of European Champions. Occasional defensive lapses are usually compensated for by one of the world's best goalkeepers in Iker Casillas.

Handed the captain's armband after Aragones chose to omit his Real Madrid teammate Raul from his squad, there are many who consider Casillas to be Spain's most important player.

Undefeated in 16 games, Spain have recorded the best run in international football bar none - a run which includes friendly wins over England, France and Italy. Emerging from a group containing Russia, Sweden and Greece should present few problems.

But it is their shocking record when the serious business begins which has tempered expectations in Spain once again. They have only been beyond the last eight in the European Championships twice, once when they won it in 1964 and when they were runners-up to France 20 years later.

Little wonder, then, that Spain's official song for Euro 2008, sung by former Real Madrid youth-team player Alvaro Benito, bears the title: 'We'll Get Beyond the Quarters'.

They certainly have a squad capable of doing so, but only if Aragones can get them to play for their country like they do for their clubs.