Yeremay Hernández is on the verge of representing Spain at the Under-21 European Championship in Slovakia. Yesterday, coach Santi Denia included the Deportivo forward in a preliminary squad of 27 players preparing for the continental tournament set for June. Spain aims to improve upon their runner-up finish from 2023 and reclaim the trophy they once held.
The national team will gather on May 31 in Las Rozas to begin training, with their first match scheduled for June 11. There is uncertainty regarding whether Yeremay will participate in the initial training phase or conclude his season with Deportivo against Elche this Sunday at 18:30.
For this final stage featuring 16 teams, UEFA limits each squad to a maximum of 23 players. Consequently, once the concentration starts, Denia will need to make the tough decision of which four players will not make the final cut.
Yeremay faces stiff competition for a spot on the team, as the preliminary list includes forwards Jesús Rodríguez (Real Betis), Raúl Moro (Valladolid), and Diego López (Valencia), along with Hernández himself. Notably, both Jesús and Moro often play on the left flank, which directly competes with Yeremay’s playing style. However, Hernández’s more versatile profile, which combines dribbling skills with stronger playmaking abilities, may work in his favor.
In addition to the competition from the aforementioned players, Matías Fernández-Pardo (Lille), who debuted on the last list, Alberto Moleiro (Las Palmas), and Fermín López (Barcelona) also play in similar roles. Fernández-Pardo, while primarily a forward, has experience of over 1,300 minutes in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and his commitment to play for Spain enhances his prospects. Meanwhile, both Fermín and Moleiro have established themselves as key attacking midfielders, further complicating Yeremay’s path to securing a place.
Interestingly, a prior injury to Moleiro opened the door for Yeremay back in October when he debuted for the U21s against Kazakhstan and later showcased his talents with an assist in a dominating performance against Malta.
Notably absent from the 27-player shortlist is Mario Soriano, who had previously been considered for the squad but could not secure a place as the competition for attacking roles intensified.
With a mix of established talent and emerging players, Spain’s U21 squad is shaping up to be a formidable force. The coming weeks will reveal if Yeremay Hernández can secure his position and contribute to Spain’s quest for glory on the European stage.