Sport
This Spain is a different kind of Spain. Known for being a possession-hungry team, Luis de la Fuente has adopted a more direct approach to get the best out of his players at Euro 2024 with Nico Williams someone who has benefited from this. Indeed, the 21-year-old has emerged as one of the stars of the tournament.
While Williams has yet to register a goal or assist in Germany this summer, he has been devastatingly effective against Croatia and Italy. He has been deployed on the left side of Spain’s attack with Lamine Yamal on the other wing, and those two youngsters give La Roja a different dimension in the final third.
Williams is a nightmare to defend against. He has the pace to stretch the byline and get to the byline, as he did for the winning goal against Italy, but also possesses the technical ability to cut inside and link up or get a shot away on goal. Giovanni Di Lorenzo was turned inside out by Williams in Spain’s 1-0 thumping of the defending champions.
De la Fuente dropped Williams to the bench for the final group game against Albania on Monday night, but this reflected the 21-year-old’s importance to Spain with more important matches to come in the knockout rounds. Williams will be back in the team for the round of 16 match on Sunday.
In his current form, Williams will spark a bidding war across Europe once Euro 2024 is over. The winger registered an impressive 16 goal contributions for Athletic Club in La Liga last season and has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting attacking talents in Spanish football. He is inherently dangerous in the attacking third.
Recent reports claim Williams has a €50m release clause in his Athletic Club contract which has a number of clubs in the Premier League taking a look. Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with the 21-year-old, with Barcelona also long-term admirers of the wide attacker. Williams would improve most teams in Europe.
Liverpool have also been linked with Williams in the past and there’s good reason to believe he would suit the style of play of the Anfield club. Jurgen Klopp might have left Merseyside, but Arne Slot places an emphasis on his wide players and Williams would give the new Reds boss a lot of talent to mould.
Those same reports state Williams earns €10m-a-year at Athletic Club after signing a new contract not so long ago. That could be a stumbling block for any suitors hoping to prise the winger from the grips of the Basque club. Williams would surely demand a similar pay-packet to leave San Mames.
He could still justify that outlay, though, as a wide threat who could create something out of nothing through his skill and directness. Those are the sort of players that can make the difference at the top level and Williams is destined to shine in the Champions League just as he is sparkling for Spain at Euro 2024.
Spain made a statement as one of the tournament frontrunners with their first two performances against Croatia and Italy. Germany have also caught the eye, but dropped points in their final group game against Switzerland when they would have surrendered top spot in their group had it not been for Niclas Fullkrug’s late leveller.
England and France have struggled to get going at Euro 2024, while Portugal are having to carry Cristiano Ronaldo as an ageing, immobile centre forward. Things are falling into place for Spain to go the distance at Euro 2024, with Williams one of the exciting, young players pushing them forward. He could define this tournament.
