Carlos Espí could skip Spain U21s. AS puts him in the race for the senior No.9 role
Real Madrid signed him to provide another option in attack. One league appearance was enough for Carlos Espí to enter the conversation around Spain’s senior squad. According to AS, the 21-year-old could compete with Gonzalo García for a place in Luis de la Fuente’s next selection.
Spain will return to action in late September for the start of their Nations League campaign. De la Fuente is expected to retain the core of the team that won the World Cup, although changes are possible in attack. Mikel Oyarzabal remains the safest choice, Borja Iglesias is already 33 and Samu is currently injured.
AS therefore identifies two forwards who could move closer to the senior No.9 role: Gonzalo and Espí. The former was a leading figure for Spain U21s, scoring six goals in seven appearances, and made his senior debut in a pre-World Cup friendly against Iraq. He left Real Madrid for Fulham this summer, where he should receive a more prominent role.
Espí has followed a very different route. The new Real Madrid striker represented Spain at U20 level but has never been called up by the U21s. He may now have an opportunity to skip that step and move directly into contention for the senior side.
This is not simply a reaction to the badge on his shirt. Espí scored 13 goals for Levante last season, with his contribution helping the club avoid relegation from LaLiga. Real Madrid moved for him after selling Gonzalo to Fulham. He impressed during preseason, but his real introduction came against Espanyol.
Mourinho sent him on for the final ten minutes with the score at 1-1. Espí was told to work alongside Kylian Mbappé and wait for an opening. It arrived in the 90th minute. After the Espanyol defence stopped the Frenchman, Espí reacted first to the loose ball and scored the winner on his official Real Madrid debut.
He has already acquired a nickname inside the dressing room. Thibaut Courtois revealed that his teammates call him “Joselu Jr.” and praised the striker’s strength, talent and profile. Espí was primarily signed to give Mourinho another type of centre-forward. The rotation option has not taken long to ask for a larger role.
There is still roughly a month before De la Fuente announces his squad. No decision has been made, and Espí’s candidacy remains a media assessment rather than confirmed information. AS adds that if the coach selects Gonzalo for the senior team, Espí could replace him as the U21 side’s main striker.
If De la Fuente chooses Espí instead, he would move directly from Spain U20s to the senior squad without making an U21 appearance. A few weeks ago, he was helping Levante fight relegation. Now he has scored a late winner for Real Madrid and entered the debate over Spain’s future No.9. His rise could hardly have been quicker.
Sources: AS | Real Madrid | Thibaut Courtois’ comments
