Exciting times

With the real life transfer windows closing and the season underway, Espanyols Manager is extremely excited by the clubs young “Monaco quintet”.

Eliesse Ben Seghir broke onto the scene as a 17 year old by scoring on his debut 18 months ago. He has now become one of the first names on the team sheet for both club and Country (Morocco). He opted to pledge his alliegence to Morocco despite Frances best efforts to persuade him to opt for the French National team, and that immediate exposure to being part of the full national team has propelled his stock further. He’s started the season well in France , already finding the net and should move up through the ratings over the next 12 months to come into first team reckoning at Espanyol.

Lamine Camara is the heartbeat of the Senegal national team , despite his tender age of 20. Last season in France, he won the golden nugget award, which earnt him a big money move to Monaco this season. An all action central midfielder who scores worldies despite being a fierce enforcer, he’s started well in his new surroundings, and has also found the net during the first few games. He’s a player the manager rates as high as anyone else in the Espanyol roster, which is a big compliment to his potential given the depth of competition.

Kassoum Oauttara embarks on his second season at Monaco, after a great maiden season last time out. The all action attacking left back , has pace to burn and despite being only 19, is starting to establish himself as one of the best young left backs in France. He continues to rise in value and updates will follow. At Espanyol he’s the only one of the four who had become a regular in the youth teams run to the last 16 this season, starting every game.

Christian Mawissa was bought by Monaco this summer for £16m. The giant teenager is equally at home anywhere across the back four and was quite an expensive purchase for Espanyol last season prior to any real life moves, when the Manager agreed to pay Eric Garcia to secure him. Since then he’s had one update rise, but given he’s only just turned 19 and started his first game for Monaco this past weekend, he’s already looking a bargain.

Monaco will embark on a Champions League campaign this season, and with all four of these starters, the excitement is growing.

“We’ve 3 teenagers here and a boy that’s just 20, playing for one of the top teams in France and all are starting games whilst also representative their countries. They are going to be playing at the highest level in club competitions this season with the Champions league which should bare significant fruits come the updates over the next 12 months. When people look at Espanyol they look at Wharton, Larsson, Baturina, Sesko etc , who of course are exceptional players. However I believe these four have the potential to eclipse those and become the heart beat of our club”