Michu merits first cap for Spain, says Michael Laudrup

Michael Laudrup hopes Michu will be selected by Spain and believes manager Vicente del Bosque has already decided whether he deserves his first chance.

Del Bosque watched Michu and Swansea's three other Spanish imports in their 0-0 Premier League draw at Everton.

The 26-year-old striker, whose value has soared since a £2.2m move to Wales, had few chances to impress Del Bosque.

But Swansea manager Laudrup said: "I think he [Del Bosque] has already made up his mind about Michu."

Spain's next fixture is a friendly with Uruguay in Doha on 6 February. The reigning World and European champions then face a World Cup qualifying double header against Finland and France in March.

Del Bosque has already hinted Michu could be given his first cap against Uruguay, and Laudrup believes Michu would not be out of place among Spain's all-conquering squad.

"We say often about Michu - he gets one chance and he nearly scores a goal again," said the former Barcelona and Real Madrid playmaker.

"Like the other day [against Chelsea] - one-and-a-half, two chances and he scores. That is really class."

He added: "I hope he gets an opportunity to play a couple of times with probably the best, at this moment, national team in the world."

Michu's 13 Premier League goals have brought him to Del Bosque's attention and made him the subject of growing transfer speculation, especially since his strike in a 2-0 Capital One Cup win over Chelsea.

Laudrup has valued the player at £30m - a considerable hike on what Swansea spent on his capture from Rayo Vallecano in July, 2012.

Michu had played mostly as an attacking midfielder throughout his career in Spain, but Laudrup has switched him to a more advanced attacking role for Swansea.

He had only one chance in front of Del Bosque on Saturday, though, when his delicate chip was pushed onto the bar by home goalkeeper Tim Howard.

"If Del Bosque had called me before, I could have told him it wasn't the best game to see Michu," joked Laudrup.

"But in Spain they are watching the Premier League and Del Bosque knows exactly what Michu has done until now, so I think it was just a visit."