Luis de la Fuente considering Real Madrid forward for Spain squad after Elche heroics
· Yahoo Sports
Carlos Espi’s extraordinary start to life at Real Madrid could now earn him an even bigger reward.
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According to AS, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente is seriously considering calling up the striker for the national team’s next squad.
It must be remembered that Espi has spent only two months at the club, yet he has already developed a habit of delivering when Real Madrid need him most.
His latest intervention came against Elche. With Real Madrid looking on course to drop points after surrendering a two-goal lead, Jose Mourinho turned to Espi from the bench.
Four minutes later, the forward had scored the winner. What is even more impressive is that it was not his first rescue act.
Espi has become Madrid’s late-game difference-maker
Carlos Espi has scored two late winners for Real Madrid. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)
Espi had already decided Real Madrid’s opening league fixture against Espanyol, finding the net late enough to ensure Mourinho’s side began the campaign with three points.
His goal against Elche followed the same script: limited minutes, maximum impact.
That has given Real Madrid something they were missing last season.
Notably, the club managed only three decisive goals in stoppage time during the previous campaign, and Espi has already scored two this season.
Luis de la Fuente considering Spain opportunity
As such, Spain are preparing for their first squad announcement since winning the World Cup, with De la Fuente expected to reveal his selection next Friday.
Carlos Espi could get his first national team call-up. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)
Espi was already included on the preliminary list for the previous World Cup, meaning the 21-year-old is not an entirely unfamiliar name to the national-team setup, although he has not played an official game for the senior team.
The current circumstances could work in his favour. Borja Iglesias is unavailable, while De la Fuente has an opportunity to inject some fresh energy into the squad.
Espi’s ability to produce decisive moments for one of Spain’s biggest clubs makes him an increasingly interesting option.
Sure, there is still no guarantee that his name will appear on the final list, but his case is no longer based solely on potential.
He has started his Real Madrid career by turning appearances from the bench into points, and that is the sort of contribution that forces national-team coaches to pay attention.