300 not out

Thursday will mark Espanyol Manager Glen Mullan’s 300th game in charge.

As the clubs longest serving Manager the days of the club being on “life support” are long gone with the brightest of futures secured with a conveyor belt of talent throughout the squad.

“It’s been a long journey trying to remain competitive whilst turning one of the leagues oldest declining squads into a team with a long term future at the big table. It’s not been easy, to swap out players with little value where there futures lay in the lower divisions and external whilst trying to bring in players with a future, all this whilst trying to prevent a slide down through the divisions as other clubs have done. We’ve had to take steps back at times to take steps forwards, with us going down to division 2 twice, however we secured promotion on both counts the season after despite being relegation favourites. Other highlights include getting to the YC final 3 times , securing the clubs first ever trophy and a 6th place finish in division 1, whilst also bettering our predicted finish every season since I arrived”

The Manager remains in buoyant mood and committed, and looking through the squad you can see why.

LUCAS CHEVALIER – is the youngest number 1 gk in top100 and despite only being 87 rated the manager opted to give him his chance following his promotion from the youth team. The French stopper had had another amazing season in France and is now seen as one of the best young goalkeepers in the world, with his value continuing to increase. It is hoped come the start of next season his 87 turns into a higher number to boost the team.

RAYAN AIT NOURI – Has had an explosive season IRL and is being chased by many clubs. Despite his 87 rating the young left back has established himself as the clubs first choice despite having competition from the now departed Hartman and Hickey. With the reviews around the corner the 22yr old full back is one very much in demand.

BENJAMIN SESKO – The Slovenian hot shot goes from strength to strength at Liepzig with him recently becoming the youngest player to ever score in 7 successive games in the Bundesliga. Sesko heads to the Euros with the big clubs weighing up if they are to trigger the 65m release clause to secure one of the world’s best young strikers. At Espanyol he continues to get exposure to the first team with 14 first team appearances this season. The club have already rejected big bids , citing it will take the largest deal the club has ever done to entertain the idea of letting him go.

ADAM WHARTON – Its been an amazing season for the “Wilpshire Pirlo” which was crowned further yesterday by him making the full England squad ahead of the Euros. He may not make the final cut, but his inclusion ahead of so many big name players is testament to his ability. No other central midfielder in the Premiership can match his stats since he arrived in January, as his interceptions and ball winning is the highest in the league. His attributes are rather unique with very few English players being able to carry out that defensive midfield role whilst also being a pass master, especially with the first time ball. His stock is rising as is interest in both top 100 and real life. He is very much part of the youth team set up right now but with a decent rise probable, it could be a big season for him at Espanyol next season, if his value is not met to entice him elsewhere.

HUGO LARSSON was seen as long term investment when Mane left Espanyol. The teenager continues to impress in Germany having already won Swedish player of the year, prior to joining Frankfurt. The wolves are circling in Europe with a 28m tmkt value being well below the estimated figures clubs will need to pay to tempt frankfurt to sell. Like Wharton despite his tender years he continues to make central midfield look an effortless job, with his ball winning skills and vision. Yet to break into Espanyols first team he is seen as another who could become an ever present at the club in the next 18 months, but at just 19, there is no need to accelerate that. He is playing at a top club irl and the best is yet to come.

LUCIANO RODRIGUEZ 2024 Has continued like 2023 for the young Uruguayan, with his first full caps for the National team bring cemented further by making the COPA America squad. With a big money move to Girona owned by the City Group at an advanced stage the world really is this lads oyster. Espanyol have been patient with him and he will taste his first YC action next season as his development continues. He is one of the Managers favorite players so a move away is unlikely, as he is is seen as a future first team starter.

ELIESSE BEN SEGHIR – Still regarded as the clubs jewel in the crown despite a shoulder injury which cost him the first half of the season at Monaco. Since returning to fitness the teenager had become a full international for Morocco , opting to reject France, whilst making the 5 player shortlist for young player of the year in France. He scored two on his Espanyol league debut a couple of seasons ago and having only just turned 19 remains a significant player for the club. AS Monaco finished runners up in France this season which will give the talented teen Champions league football next season, whilst he is expected to get more minutes for Espanyol in the YC than before.

AMARA DIOUF – Its amazing to think he is still only 15, despite now being a full international for Senegal, whilst continuing to break record’s at all ages. Seen as potentially the most exciting teenage footballer world wide coming through whilst being part of the Espanyol stable is a mouth watering thought. He is only 15 and has already played at the highest level for his country. It will be a while before he is impacting the Espanyol first team but is the one player in the squad that the other 99 teams would take in a heart beat.

The above players give a little insight to how far Espanyol have come, when you consider the youth team also had Reitz, Koumas, Fayzullaev, Konstantelias, Kambwala, Outtara, Adzic and Camara amongst others all coming through to support a first team which is mixed with experience.

Bemzema will join in the close season to support the first team network or Sterling , Olmo, De Paul, Fabinho, Otavio, Pepe, Garcia and Collins to name some as Espanyol if they can secure safety this season, will look to kick on further and Establish themselves as a Division 1 club amongst the big boys.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Espanyol. I Never thought I’d get to 300 games, though have always been confident in my beliefs that the first team and its results are paramount and above anything else. It’s what we set out to do each season and I think we’ve shown with the talent we have in the youth team , that you can achieve as a first team and build at the same time. There is no need to sacrifice results to build, or indeed sacrifice the clubs future for short term success. Every season in my time here we have over achieved on the expected finish, and its what continues to drive me”