Barça's Carles Aleña named in Spain U21 squad for the first time
The midfielder is one of the 24 players named in the squad
His brilliant start to the season with Barça B has caught the eye
Carles Aleña signed a new contract with Barcelona earlier this month, extending his stay at the club until 2020, or 2022 if he is promoted to the first team.
That's the objective, 2022, but the player himself admitted recently he's not ready for the regular requirements which go with being a first team player at Barça. Instead, he says, he needs to demonstrate he's ready in the second division.
So far, so good. He has scored three goals already and is leading the team, despite still being a teenager.
His form has not gone unnoticed and he's earned his first ever call up to the Spain U21 squad for the upcoming match against Slovakia.
"We know him well and we believe he can help us. In addition, we believe it's the right time for him to come with us," Spain U21 coach Albert Celades said.
Aleña has previously represented Spain at U16, U17 and U19 level.
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Unai Simón (Athletic), Iván Villar (Celta), Antonio Sivera (Alavés),
Defenders: Unai Núñez (Athletic), Aarón Martín (Espanyol), Pol Lirola (Sassuolo/ITA), Jorge Meré (Koln), Toni Lato (Valencia), Jesús Vallejo (Real Madrid), Jorge Sáenz (Tenerife), Pablo Maffeo (Girona).
Midfielders: Íñigo Córdoba (Athletic), Carles Aleñá (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Newcastle), Igor Zubeldia (Real Sociedad), Carlos Soler (Valencia), Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid), Rodrigo Hernández (Villarreal, Fabián Ruiz (Betis), Aleix Febas (Zaragoza), Pablo Fornals (Villarreal).
Forwards: Marc Gual (Sevilla), Borja Mayoral (Real Madrid), Mikel Oyarzábal (Real Sociedad).
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