3 former Newcastle United stars make final cut for Spain 26 man Euros squad


 
 
 
 
 
 

Spain have named their final 26 man squad for the Euros in Germany.

In Group B they will face Albania, Italy and Croatia.

The final choice of 26 not without controversy.

With Ayoze Perez a late shock entry into the group, making it a trio of former Newcastle United players in the Spain squad.

Spain name final 26 man squad for European Championships:

Goalkeepers:

Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), David Raya (Arsenal on loan from Brentford), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)

Defenders:

Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Nacho (Real Madrid), Cucarella (Chelsea)

Midfielders:

Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Rodrigo (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Fermin (Barcelona)

Forwards:

Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Joselu (Real Madrid on loan from Espanyol), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ayoze Perez (Real Betis), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Williams Jr (Athletic Bilbao)

Joselu and Mikel Merino have been regulars in the Spain squad for some time but Ayoze Perez was a surprise choice in the preliminary squad for the European Championships, his first ever call up, with the forward set to turn 31 next month.

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

On Wednesday night Ayoze Perez made his Spain debut and that appears to have tipped him the right way.

Ayoze Perez played on the left side of an attacking trio and 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’d managed to achieve on debut.

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

Good luck to the former Newcastle United trio unless they face England.