Premier League flop set to break 17-year record after receiving shock Spain call-up
A FORMER Newcastle and Stoke City flop could break a 17-year Spanish record tomorrow.
New boss Luis de la Fuente will take charge of his first game when they host Norway in Malaga at the start of their European Championship qualification campaign.
PA:Press AssociationA former Newcastle flop could achieve a little piece of Spanish history tomorrow[/caption]
GettyJoselu Mato is hoping to make his senior debut for Spain against Norway[/caption]
They then face Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday with a new-look squad hoping to put last year’s World Cup disappointment behind them.
One of those members to receive a call-up is Espanyol striker Joselu Mato, who has 12 goals in LaLiga, making him joint-third in the Spanish top tier.
It caps a remarkable rise from his days struggling to make an impact in the Premier League.
Joselu endured a disappointing two-year spell on Tyneside from 2017-2019 that resulted in just seven goals in 52 appearances.
He also had a stint in England with Stoke before joining the Magpies, scoring just four goals in 27 games for the Potters.
Joselu then scored 36 times in 113 games for Alaves after leaving Newcastle in 2019, before joining Espanyol last summer.
And his feats this season, which include an incredible goal from the halfway line against Getafe, have now led to international recognition.
Now he could write his own little piece of history if he is selected to face Norway.
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That is because, at 32 years and 363 days, he may become the oldest player to make his debut for Spain in all competitions since September 2006.
Meanwhile, Joselu has revealed how he discovered his call-up last Friday while out walking his dog.
He said: “Suddenly I looked at my mobile phone and saw the tweet. I forwarded the video.
“I didn’t see who was there, I just saw my name and threw my cell phone.
“My wife, very excited… me too. These are the kinds of things you dream about, but don’t believe until you’re there.
“I’m enjoying it like I’m 18 years old.”
