European Championship U21 Final: Watch out for these players as Spain face England

England will face Spain in the final of the 2023 European Under-21 Championship this weekend, and here are six players to keep an eye on during the match.

Curtis Jones (England)

Jurgen Klopp showed his faith in Curtis Jones towards the end of last season and the Liverpool midfielder is one of Lee Carsley's favourites too. The talented central midfielder has been an integral part of the team alongside Angel Gomes during this competition. 

Jones was the standout player particularly when England beat Israel 3-0 in the last four of the tournament. Deployed in a deeper midfield berth, the 22-year-old sets the tone for Carsley’s men. 

Abel Ruiz (Spain) 

No player at this tournament has scored more goals than Abel Ruiz, who has found the back of the net on three occasions up to now. His efforts have been important too: two were openers and the other was an equaliser in the 90th minute. 

The Braga striker is his country’s captain at this European Championship, which makes him a vital figure off the pitch as well as on it.

Morgan Gibbs-White (England)

It is not an exaggeration to say that Nottingham Forest would have been relegated from the Premier League in 2022/23 without Gibbs-White, who has carried his domestic form into this international competition.

A real livewire at the top of the pitch, Gibbs-White will look to stretch the Spanish backline with his penetrating runs in behind. No one can match the Forest star’s return of three assists.

Arnau Tenas (Spain) 

Spain’s goalkeeper has not always been busy this summer but he has dealt very well with everything that has come his way. Unsurprisingly for a young Spanish goalkeeper who plays for Barcelona, Arnau Tenas is also very accomplished with his feet. 

Spain have not kept a clean sheet in the knockout stage so far, but England will have to do well to beat their shot-stopper on Saturday. 

Emile Smith Rowe (England) 

Smith Rowe struggled for game time in the Premier League last season - he racked up just 162 minutes for Mikel Arteta’s title challengers - but he has reminded Arsenal fans of his quality in Romania and Georgia this summer.

Smith Rowe has scored twice and provided an assist on England’s run to the final, and looks right back to his best in his attacking midfield role. There’s a good chance that he will be influential in the final. 

Rodri (Spain) 

Not the Manchester City anchorman, but an exciting winger who plies his trade for Real Betis. Rodri was voted as the ‘Player of the Match’ in Spain’s first two group games, with back-to-back victories over Romania and Croatia sending them through to the quarter-finals.

A left-footer who plays on the right, Rodri relishes cutting inside and taking shots at goal or threading passes through to his teammates. England’s right-back, James Garner, will have his hands full dealing with him.