Aston Villa will have several representatives in action over the summer for their respective nations however, one Unai Emery favourite looks set to miss out on the fun.
After the highs and hard work of the 2023/24 campaign at Villa Park, some Aston Villa players will see their rest time limited due to a summer packed with international action.
The Copa America and Euro 2024 will take place during the interval from domestic action, with a host of Villa players set to represent their country on the big stage.
Unai Emery won’t be surprised to see some of his best talents called up to embark on international duty however, one omission of a key player will come as a shock to the Spaniard and to many who follow him.
Pau Torres not named in Spain’s provisional Euro 2024 squad
On Monday, Spain announced their provisional squad for Euro 2024, with manager Luis de la Fuente making the decision to leave Pau Torres in Birmingham.
The 29-man squad must be cut by three players by the deadline on the 7th of June, leaving Torres’ chances in tatters after his heroic 2023/24 campaign with Aston Villa.
It’s a great shock for Premier League fans, Torres and no doubt Emery, as the centre-back was left out of Spain’s squad for the tournament.
The centre-backs named in the side are Aymeric Laporte, Robin Le Normand, Dani Vivian, Nacho Fernandez and 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi, who broke through at Barcelona this season.
Torres isn’t the only Premier League Spaniard to be snubbed from the squad, with Spurs full-back Pedro Porro also not included.
Having last played 90 minutes for Spain during the Euro qualifiers in November 2023, the Villa defender should feel perplexed at his omission from the provisional squad.
Pau Torres deserves to be in Spain’s Euro 2024 squad
As far as debut seasons in the Premier League go, Torres impressed by putting his stamp on Emery’s side, offering something new to the back line.
The defender showcased his mastery of progressive play with his ‘intelligent’ reading of the game, as he was lauded by journalist Jacob Tanswell.
As well as bringing a new tactical approach to Villa’s side when playing the ball out from the back, Torres was an exemplary figure in the back line for Emery, as highlighted by his slim defeat rate when starting in the side.
When in the XI, the 27-year-old maintained a win rate of 85% with Villa in the Premier League, reinforcing how noticeable his presence is in the Midlands side’s back four.
Pau Torres & Spain centre-backs named in Euro 2024 squad
The achievements of Torres in Villa’s side this term have been remarkable, firing the club to a Champions League finish on his debut campaign, performances that are not deemed enough to make the Euro squad.
Journalist Pablo Espinosa San Mauro was one of many to react to the news, saying that he thought the defender ‘deserved to be’ in the squad, dubbing him the ‘best centre-back’ at Villa amid their achievements of 2023/24.
It’s a deeply disappointing end to the season for Torres, who surely would have expected to be on the plane to the Euros, with there not much more that the centre-back could have done to prove his worth at Villa Park.
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