Quality goal and assist could have sealed Ayoze Perez place in final Spain squad for Germany | OneFootball

Towards the end of May, Ayoze Perez was a surprise choice in the preliminary squad for the European Championships in Germany.

Spain naming 29 players and a first ever senior call up for Perez.

Just after joining Newcastle United in summer 2014, Ayoze Perez played a couple of times for the Spain under 21s, but then nothing else followed.

However, that all changed ten days ago when Perez was named along with other former Newcastle United players, Joselu and Mikel Merino.

With the 29 named needing to only be cut by three for the final 26 man Spain squad, a real possibility of all three ex-NUFC players making it.

Merino and Joselu all but certainties, whilst on Wednesday night Ayoze Perez certainly did all he could to make the final cut.

Making his international debut aged 30 (turns 31 in July), Ayoze Perez played on the left side of an attacking trio.

Only 24 minutes into his first ever game for Spain, a great turn and shot saw the former NUFC player open his international account, then he also got an assist for the second goal. The opposition was only lowly Andorra as Spain easily won 5-0, however, playing the full match, Ayoze Perez must have been happy with what he managed to achieve in hopefully convincing his international manager.

(You can see the Ayoze Perez goal from two different angles, at the very start of these highlights and then at 0.37)

The Mag report – 27 May 2024:

Spain have named their preliminary squad for the 2024 Euros in Germany.

In this squad are three former Newcastle United stars.

With 29 players named, every chance all of this ex-NUFC trio will make the final cut of 26.

Mikel Merino has been a regular in the Spain squad for some time, whilst Joselu is carrying on his remarkable late in career surge with both Real Madrid and his national side.

The third former Newcastle United player a ‘little’ more of a surprise in this newly announced squad…

Speaking at his press conference, Spain boss Luis De la Fuente said:

“All players have the same chance to be in the Euro 2024, I want to make that clear from the beginning.

“This larger list is to minimise risks and also cover any unforeseen events.

“We are protecting ourselves and covering any contingency that could arise.

“Yes, there is overpopulation [in the squad] now but the decisions that must be made to go to the 26 of the Euro Cup will be made.

“We look for what any coach looks for: find the best possible team.

“We have very competitive forwards.

“Regarding Ayoze Perez, I think it is time to give him this opportunity.”

Spain’s provisional Euro 2024 squad in full:

Goalkeepers:

Unai Simon, Alex Remiro, David Raya.

Defenders:

Jesus Navas, Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte, Nacho Fernandez, Dani Vivian, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Grimaldo, Marc Cucurella

Midfielders:

Martin Zubimendi, Rodri Hernandez, Mikel Merino, Fabian Ruiz, Pedri, Marcos Llorente, Fermin Lopez, Aleix Garcia, Alex Baena

Forwards:

Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Ayoze Perez, Alvaro Morata, Joselu Mato, Mikel Oyarzabal

Ayoze Perez went to Leicester for £30m in summer 2019 and scored eight league goals for the Foxes that first 2019/20 PL season.

The next three years though he only managed seven more league goals for both Leicester and on loan at Real Betis.

However, this latest 2023/24 season has seen nine La Liga goals for Real Betis after a free transfer, plus two other goals in the Europa League, helping to force him into this Spain squad.