Barcelona, Spain – Carlos Romero is quickly becoming a standout performer in La Liga EA Sports with Espanyol, so much so that his parent club, Villarreal, is reportedly planning a spot for him in their squad next season when his loan expires. The 24-year-traditional left-back has as well generated discussion regarding a potential call-up to the Spanish national team, particularly with Marc Cucurella sidelined due to injury. However, even his manager, Manolo González, believes a spot with La Roja will be challenging even as Romero remains with Espanyol.
Romero himself acknowledged the difficulty, stating, “I would love for him [Luis de la Fuente] to call me, but no, not really. It’s very demanding. Right now, I’m trying to focus on Espanyol. It’s a dream to play for the Spanish national team and I hope to fulfill it someday, but to get there, you have to be the best and compete at the highest level in your team.”
The sentiment echoes comments from González, who suggested that Romero’s chances would improve if he were playing for a club with greater visibility. Romero elaborated, “If the coach says that, it’s because he knows me best. To be considered for the national team is a good thing and speaks well of what I’m doing. Hopefully, it can happen.”
Romero’s current situation involves a loan from Villarreal, a club that has reportedly rejected a £30 million bid for his services, according to LaligaNews.football. Villarreal views the player as a key component of their future plans, intending for him to replace Alfonso Pedraza, who is set to join Lazio this summer. Romero’s contract with Villarreal currently runs until 2029, having been extended in November 2023, but the club recognizes his increased value warrants a revised agreement.
The defender, originally from Torrent, Spain, has been linked with moves to Atlético Madrid and Barcelona, but remains focused on his commitments to Espanyol. “Every player would love to play in European competitions, to play every three days,” Romero confessed. “But right now, I’m not looking at that. My commitment to Espanyol, which I’ve been demonstrating for a year and a half, is absolute. I’m focused on the remaining matches, finishing the season as high as possible, and then we’ll see what happens with my future in the summer.”
Espanyol’s sporting director, Fran Garagarza, who previously brought Marc Cucurella to Eibar, also weighed in on Romero’s national team prospects. Garagarza believes Romero’s chances would increase significantly if he were playing for a more prominent club. “He has the potential to set his own ceiling. If he doesn’t relax, he has the level to improve even more. If he weren’t at Espanyol, he would be very close to going to the Spanish national team… If he played for Atlético, Real Madrid, or a team like that,” Garagarza stated.
Carlos Romero Serrano was born on October 29, 2001, and stands at 1.74 meters tall. He currently plays as a left-back, though he can also feature as a left winger. He is represented by LEADERBROCK. His journey to this point has included stints with Torre Levante, Villarreal C, and Villarreal B before making his La Liga debut with Villarreal in September 2023. Transfermarkt details his career progression, highlighting his loan to Espanyol in July 2024.
Romero’s performances for Espanyol this season have been noteworthy, contributing four goals and two assists, showcasing his attacking capabilities. This form has not gone unnoticed, and his development under Manolo González is being closely monitored. The situation presents a fascinating case study in player development and the impact of club prestige on international recognition.
The question now becomes whether Romero can continue to elevate his game at Espanyol, potentially forcing his way into Luis de la Fuente’s plans, or if a move to a larger club will be necessary to realize his international ambitions. Villarreal’s firm stance on retaining Romero suggests they believe he is a crucial part of their long-term strategy, setting the stage for a potentially exciting return to La Cerámica next season.
Espanyol will face a challenging schedule as they aim to climb the La Liga table. Romero’s continued strong performances will be vital to their success, and his individual progress will undoubtedly be watched by national team observers. The next confirmed checkpoint for Romero and Espanyol is their upcoming match against [Opponent and Date – to be confirmed], where Romero will seem to further solidify his position as one of La Liga’s most promising left-backs.
What are your thoughts on Carlos Romero’s chances of making the Spain squad? Share your opinions in the comments below!
