The Spain squad for Euro 2024 in Germany is set to be a difficult one to get into this season, and as ever with La Roja these days, the heaviest competition is in midfield. Manager Luis de la Fuente will be facing some tricky choices in the coming weeks, as he weighs up form, characteristics and quality. There is one decision that might not outwardly seem obvious, but that de la Fuente shouldn’t think too much about.
Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena should not be looking up how to buy tickets to the Euro 2024 this summer, but rather working out how much he should pack for a month-long stay. The 22-year-old has been in fine form this season, and deserves his spot on the plane, provided de la Fuente does not opt for reputation instead.
That has not been his modus operandi thus far, with the likes of Lamine Yamal earning a call-up this season, and Joselu Mato getting his first cap into his thirties last year. Baena’s form has led him to be linked to Aston Villa, and were finances not an issue, there is a good chance Barcelona would be in for him too. He leads the assist charts in La Liga with 12 to his name, and overall this season, has 21 goal contributions in 41 appearances.
Villarreal are improving under Marcelino Garcia Toral, yet this is a side that have spent the majority of the year struggling in the bottom half of the table, and in recent months, the Asturian has handed the keys to Baena.
Capable of playing in the middle of midfield, out wide, or in behind the striker, he has all of the versatility that makes him an attractive option for a tournament squad. So far during his short career, he has been used in a number of different roles, and in terms of form, you won’t find better in La Liga currently, off the back of masterful performance in which he gave a hat-trick of assists against Rayo Vallecano.
While it is true that Baena is not proven in the Champions League, he does have something that many of his peers in the same role do not – bite and aggression. While it at times spills over, Baena has the competitive streak to ensure that when Spain are dominating the ball with little penetration, he will make things happen by hook or by crook.
Speaking of, he has such a varied toolbox that he would be a luxury for any manager. Blessed with a missile from distance, a deft touch in the pass, and the ability to go past his defender, Baena is a Swiss Army Knife in an attacking sense. If de la Fuente can get the best out of him, he will bring the goal threat Spain so desperately lack at times.