What a season it’s been for Espanyol! Tonight, the team travels to face Arsenal in a match that could define everything. Sitting in 3rd place in Division 2 with promotion tantalizingly close, this is the stuff of football dreams. Just 90 minutes away from a sensational return to the top flight!
The numbers tell an incredible story: only 6 defeats all season and a rock-solid 69 points on the board. In any normal year, that would be more than enough for promotion. But this hasn’t been a normal year. Wolfsburg have been absolutely sensational and virtually unstoppable. They face relegated Boca Juniors tonight – a game they’re expected to win – meaning Espanyol must go to the Emirates and beat the Division 2 champions-elect, Arsenal, to keep their promotion hopes alive.
And to think… most people had Espanyol down for a relegation scrap at the start of the campaign!
But the manager refused to panic. He stayed true to a bold, long-term vision:
“We had strict objectives this season as part of our wider rebuild. We wanted to move on our older declining players and open up the academy pathway to the first team. It was a gamble. We needed to test our recruitment policy, trust these young players, and hope we’d get a helping hand with the updates. We also had to keep recruiting the next wave who will follow those now wearing the shirts.”
The gamble has paid off in spectacular fashion.
Ten of tonight’s likely starting lineup featured in the Youth Cup Final – which Espanyol won for the second time! In just 8 entries into the competition, they’ve reached 6 finals, a semi-final, and a quarter-final. With the age profile of this youth squad, the future looks ridiculously bright.
It’s a World Cup year, and eight of these exciting youngsters will represent their countries on the biggest stage. Many are already being linked with monster moves to Europe’s elite clubs.
Think about the transformation: When the manager arrived, 95% of the game world had zero interest in Espanyol players. It was the oldest squad in the league, sliding toward a painful drop through the divisions. Fast forward to now, and those same players are coveted assets. That’s what belief, hard work, and sticking to a vision can do.
No matter what happens tonight, this has been an unforgettable campaign. Espanyol have shown heart, hunger, and huge potential. Promotion would be the perfect ending – but even without it, the club is in a far stronger position heading into next season.
The rebuild is working. The future is bright. The Pericos are back – and they’re coming with serious intent! 💙⚪
Vamos Espanyol!

A Battle for Survival and Growth As Espanyol embarks on the 2024 season, the club finds itself once again in Division 1,

Ranked 28th in the power rankings and tipped by Malcom's statistical model for relegation for the third consecutive year, the road ahead looks daunting. However, the mood at the club is one of cautious optimism, with manager Glen Mullan making significant moves in the transfer market to reinforce the squad.

The mission is clear: survival in the top tier, and laying the foundations for long-term success. A New Look Espanyol Mullan's transfer dealings have been bold and strategic, with the aim of addressing the team's weaknesses while also securing its future. The manager has brought in a mixture of experience and youth, with key signings that could be the difference between another relegation battle and a steady season in Division 1.

Key Signings for the 2024 Season:

Milan Skriniar (Defender): The experienced Slovakian international joins from Inter Milan, offering solidity at the back and leadership in what is expected to be a physically demanding campaign.

Juan Cuadrado (Right-back/Winger): The Colombian's versatility and experience bring much-needed quality to both the defensive and attacking flanks.

Bradley Barcola (Forward): The French forward is expected to add pace and creativity, providing a fresh attacking threat for the club.

Calvin Stengs (Winger): The Dutch international, known for his dribbling and playmaking ability, will add width and flair to Espanyol's offensive setup.

Arnau Martinez (Full-back): A rising Spanish star, Martinez will provide depth at the back and also contribute to the team's build-up play.

In addition to these key senior signings, Mullan has also strengthened the squad with a series of exciting young prospects, signaling the club's long-term vision:

Ayyoub Bouaddi (FrenchMidfielder)

Faustino Yarlen (Brazilian teenager)

Ryadno (Russian fullback)

Osmar Gimenez (Paraguayan wonderkid)

Anrie Chase (Stuttgart's promising young defender)

Caleb Wiley (American prospect)

Khalil Fayad (Moroccan talent)

Samu Omorodion (Spanish hotshot)

These young players represent the future of Espanyol, and with Mullan’s focus on developing their potential, the club is preparing not only for survival in the immediate term but also for growth and success in the years ahead. The Challenges Ahead Despite these promising additions, the road to survival in Division 1 will be far from easy. Mullan himself has been frank about the challenges the club faces, acknowledging that Espanyol's position is far from secure.

"It's going to be extremely tough," said the manager. "We’ve had to cash in some extremely talented assets to try and get as competitive as possible in what's going to be the hardest Division 1 yet."The fact that the club has been tipped for relegation once again by statistical models is a testament to the tough competition Espanyol will face. With several well-established clubs strengthening their squads and the overall quality in the league rising, the task of staying afloat in the top tier seems as challenging as ever. However, Mullan remains resolute in his belief that Espanyol can exceed expectations once more. “We’ve always finished above expectations, and as we alluded to last season, we are still in that yo-yo phase," he stated. "That being said, this is the strongest squad we’ve had after it was systematically left in a disgraceful position some 9 seasons ago.

”Youth Development: A Key Pillar While survival in Division 1 is the immediate goal, Mullan is also keen to continue Espanyol’s tradition of developing young talent. The club’s youth academy has produced several promising players in recent years, and Mullan is eager to maintain that focus. "We will again enter the Youth Cup and try and reach our 4th final but hopefully this time bring the trophy home,” he said. "It’s going to be tough, but we believe in this squad's long-term aspirations and are excited about the future possibilities."The Youth Cup has become a significant competition for Espanyol, and the manager is determined to build on the club's proud history of nurturing young players. With a blend of youth and experience in the first team, the club is looking to not only survive but to thrive in the coming years.

The Road to Survival: No Time for Talking, Only Action As the season draws nearer, Mullan’s words are a clear message to his players: the time for talking is over. "Our business is done, the time for talking is over, tomorrow we go to war to fight for every ball and point to pull off the incredible escape." It’s a mentality that has served Espanyol well in recent seasons, and with a squad now significantly strengthened, the club will need every ounce of effort and determination to avoid the drop. In what promises to be one of the toughest Division 1 seasons in recent memory, Espanyol enters season 24 with hope, ambition, and a squad that may just have enough to defy the odds once again. With a renewed focus on both immediate survival and long-term success, this could be a season that marks the beginning of a new era for the club.

In a thrilling move that has captured the attention of football fans across Europe, Espanyol has secured the signing of French forward Bradley Barcola from Stoke City. This transfer not only bolsters Espanyol's attacking lineup but also marks a significant step in their ambitions for the upcoming season.

A Star on the Rise

Bradley Barcola, known for his speed, technical ability, and knack for finding the back of the net, has been making waves in the Division 2. His impressive performances at Stoke City, where he showcased his talent and potential, caught the eye of several clubs. Espanyol's decision to bring him on board reflects their commitment to strengthening the squad and pushing for higher achievements in Top100

Unveiling in Front of a Passionate Crowd

The unveiling ceremony held at the RCDE Stadium was nothing short of electric. A packed home crowd eagerly awaited the moment when Barcola would step onto the pitch in Espanyol colors. Fans waved banners and chanted in anticipation, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement and hope.

As Barcola emerged, donning the iconic white and blue jersey, the cheers erupted, signaling the arrival of a player who could become a fan favorite. The young Frenchman took a moment to soak in the atmosphere, visibly moved by the warm welcome from the supporters. In his speech, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity and his determination to contribute to the team's success.

What Barcola Brings to Espanyol

With Barcola's signing, Espanyol adds depth and dynamism to their front line. His ability to play across the attacking positions, combined with his sharp instincts, makes him a versatile asset. Fans can expect to see his pace and creativity on display, particularly in tight matches where a spark of brilliance can make all the difference.

Looking Ahead

As the new season approaches, Espanyol's ambitions are clear: to compete fiercely in top100 and establish themselves as a formidable force. With Barcola in the squad, they are certainly taking steps in the right direction. The combination of his youthful energy and the club's experienced players could lead to a potent attacking unit.

In conclusion, Bradley Barcola's transfer to Espanyol is not just about a player switching clubs; it symbolises hope and a fresh start for the team. With the passionate support of their fans, Espanyol is poised for an exciting season ahead, and Barcola is ready to play a pivotal role in that journey.

Espanyol will tomorrow face Porto as another season in top100 draws to close on what's been another successful season for the club.

Predicted to go down the club could finish in the top10 but won't finish lower than 13th. The top10 position has been somewhat sacrificed since safety was secured as the manager has looked to manage the squad and give youth opportunities to shine in the first team ahead of what's going to be the clubs hardest season yet next season.

Glen Mullan is proud to have always finished above the clubs predicted finish since taking the helm during season 16. Despite this its been a roller-coaster to rebuild one of the leagues oldest rosters to give the club a sustainable future . As the clock passes 3 years since his appointment the manager thinks the team is finally in a position where its going to be tweaks rather than wholesale changes going forwards.

OMORODION, FAYAD and CHASE are all secured for next season which is likely to be the clubs main business over the close season, especially with the updates suddenly upon us.

"We are coming to the end of our rebuild, which seems strange given we are not power packed with ratings. We've invested massively in the clubs long term sustainability which is going to bare fruits every season for a very long time. We've some incredibly talented footballers across all positions who are going to be hot property as seasons progress. Buying the off the shelf stars with ratings is a costly formula where you end up sacrificing squad stability and depth unless your starting block had an abundance of assets . We've had to be brave in letting big players leave to create a 50 man squad littered with talent for the long game, rather than just exist with a strong 13 or 14 with very little coming through which inevitably will lead to steady decline on the pitch as the experienced pros lose value and ratings. We like to keep an eye on all clubs , and there is certainly storms brewing in many squads as players begin to drop, given the infrastructure of many teams does not give them the assets to either trade up or improve come update time. Stagnation to maintain status quo can be a dangerous policy especially at a time where many are now looking for improvers rather than potential droppers.

Tactically we continue to tinker from game to game to allow certain players opportunities to start, this can lead to some big defeats but has also lead to famous victories against the big clubs we all endeavour to catch. We've enjoyed the adventure this season, we've never looked like being dragged into the relegation dog fight, but understand next season once again we will hold that "favourites to go down" tag. We are still in that yoyo bracket but for the first time actually have a squad which can develop us out of the yoyo situation as time evolves. It may take another relegation/promotion but we are on the right path to establishing the club as a competitive unit capable of challenging for trophies. We get enquiries daily for our young stars which is a massive shift to where we were 3 years ago when the team was old and we couldn't sell them for love nor money. We enjoy the challenge at Espanyol and hopefully we can give our fans some more silverware to add to our promotions and European Trophy as time progresses"

Monaco is becoming a critical real life club for Espanyol as last night they beat Rennes 2-1 to go top of the French league. No fewer than five Espanyol players started the game but critically 4 of the 5 are part of the Espanyol academy and three of which of just teenagers.

Eliesse ben seghir assisted both goals, in what's been a great start to the season for the young Moroccan international. Long been seen the jewel of the Espanyol youth set up, he's catching the eyes of Europe in a season where Monaco have also started the Champions League campaign well with a notable victory over Barcelona already in the bag.

Mawissa and Camara made big money moves to Espanyol over the summer, and Camara is quickly establishing himself as one of the best young central midfielders in world football. At just 20, fresh from winning last seasons French league golden nugget award , he's took his game to a whole new level this season, forming a formidable partnership with Zakaria in the Monaco engine room. Meanwhile Mawissa at just 19 has been eased in , and was a towering presence throughout last nights key win. Ouattara is quickly establishing himself as one of Frances stars of the future at leftback at just 19. His speed , strength and ability to get forward to create was seen in abundance last night and is seen as the future at full back for Espanyol.

Minamino recently joined Espanyol as cover but is a key player for Monaco in his own right and is currently at his highest tmkt value to date.

"Its funny how transfers work out , and you end up with 6 players at the same club with 3 of those having moved there since they arrived at Espanyol. Monaco have one of the youngest first teams in Europe and I'm thrilled to be riding on that wave ahead of the next few updates. As a club we've no less than 27 players aged 20 or below, however the number of these that are teenagers, playing at top clubs, in big leagues and starring is incredible. France has always been a happy hunting ground for us and with Ramos and Fayad due to join that's two more playing in the French league. Our activity is slowing down somewhat as we want to see this crop through the next 5 or 6 updates prior to their 22nd birthday. We've so much to look forwards to, with plenty of experience in the first team to allow the organic growth of our kids. We set ourselves a target at the start of the season to have 25 players aged 20 or below who are playing regularly. We've achieved that , so can now relax in the knowledge that our future is secure both short and long term".

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"

Espanyol tonight drew 1-1 with Porto to move up to 8th at the half way stage of the season.

Predicted to finish 18th and ultimately be relegated its been a solid first half of the season for the Spanish side. Wins against Giants , Chelsea, Bayern, Barcelona and Dortmund is an impressive haul from the first 19 games.

The Manager has continued to wheel and deal with no less than 34 deals completed during the first half of the season, as the clubs trading model through activity continues to see the team continually punch above its weight season upon season.

Early cup exits have been off set by a strong run in the WCC Cup, whilst the youth team qualified for the knockout stages with a 100% win record.

Every season the club identifies experienced heads who can do a job for a season, to compensate for the thriving academy which is now the strongest its ever been. Sesko has been joined by German International Maximilian Beier and Brazilan International Vitor Roque this season in what's becoming an embarrassment of riches in the youth striking department. Just this past week another German kid was scoring a hat-trick on his Werder Bremen debut in Keke Topp, whilst teenage sensation Ben Seghir was also on target along with fellow youth player Lamine Camara as Monaco beat Lyon in France.

it's been a good August for Espanyols youth team with Rodriguez, Delorge, Beire, Camara, Mawissa , Topp and Amenda all securing big money moves to big clubs which will ultimately see them rise again at the next update due to the big values they moved for. All have already settled into first team action.

No fewer than 32 players received a rise during the latest round updates with players like Baturina, Wharton, Sesko, Beire and Perez now getting league minutes for the first team despite still being youth players following positive rises to bring them into contention.

There has been some high profile exits too with Olmo, Firmino, Laporte, Felix , Sterling , Otavio, Pepe, Collins , De Paul, Almada , Jones , Marcia , Gomes and Kamada amongst others exiting throughout the season.

"We are well ahead of where we should be, first team wise its a very small squad with just 15 first team players which includes two goalkeepers. However tactically we are grinding results out through flexibility and not being set on one formation. We change from game to game to maximise options but also to catch out the opposition. Its going to be a tough old slog to get the 13 points we need over the next 19 games with Felix and Laporte due to exit, however we are hopeful that Douglas Luiz's arrival will boost us. The Saudi update saw the team take a big hit with drops to 3 of the starting 11, though we've responded well by winning 2 and drawing 1 of last three fixtures. There is some big clubs chasing us down, and with all updates now done, it's going to come down to smart transfers for many of those , especially as injuries and suspensions hit. Nothing is won first half of the season, however we've given ourselves a fantastic platform to once again defy the odds and retain our division 1 status ahead of November's updates which should boost us again. The aim is to stay up and if that's 17th we would take that right now. Its getting harder to get deals done with easily a 50% drop in activity in the market through inactivity of the community. With each job change it appears to have stifled the market further with active Managers leaving and their clubs being taken by less active. Of course with a progressive squad of players as we have in our academy, the less activity there is, the better our chances of success becomes".

Espanyol have become accustomed to being the underdogs. Two seasons ago the club were promoted back to division 1 despite being favourites to be relegated from division 2 to 3. Last season was the same story, predicted to go down but retained their division 1 status despite an alarming end of season slump in form.

The Espanyol manager will embark on his 6th season out of 8 in the top flight, making him the clubs most successful manager, With the club previously having only spent two seasons in the top flight. The manager is also the clubs longest serving Manager.

Glen Mullan has wasted no time in getting his close season business underway with the focus on adding experience.

"We have our own model which we have noted others have tried to adopt which has proven successful in our time here. We look each season for 3 or 4 players who can bring experience and ratings to the first team, whilst protecting our main assets coming through the ranks. Obviously we've had to transition as we didn't have the assets when i arrived with me inheriting one of the oldest squads in the league and on the road to deep decline. Fast forward to our 8th season and we've some extremely talented young players chomping at the but to be the next wave to step up from the academy. This season we have secured Benzema, Firmino and Partey to help the first team out given we are once again tipped to go down. Scoring goals last season was never really an issue, it was defensively were we were caught short with our gk 87 and our defence 87.5. Nothing has changed on that front as we head into the new season, though we are hoping updates in these areas will be forthcoming to improve on the stats. We haven't set any targets bar achieve better than predicted. Division 1 will be extremely tough this season. With older players comes the risk of drops in ratings, with younger players comes the risk of upgrades which create concerns and ultimately puts you in a position of play them or lose them. We've seen with Aston Villa this past season that relegation can cost you your job even if its what was expected, so playing the younger players on concerns could have an adverse affect on you remaining in charge. It's all a big rubix cube, a puzzle with dilemmas and a transfer market which brings ridiculous expectations demands. Just this week the quotes on players well into their 30s are off the scale, when the market shows historically that at best if you get a top young player you've done well. Whilst young players people are wanting 3 or 4 big risers which carry a rating already. At some point these players will drop or retire and the opportunity of getting a future asset are gone. We've seen with Kroos in recent weeks how a retirement can rip a big hole in your team with no swap now available. MLS and Saudi clubs continue to track big name players with Van Dyke the latest big name emerging as a target amongst others. Their quest to attract the best don't just fall on older players, as young players are also the subject of interest. You can go to bed with a big asset and wake up owning a player who has lost 80% of sell on value. We feel quite fortunate that buying and selling is not a necesity given our academy set up is thriving and its offset well by older experienced players holding Fort in the first team. The upcoming updates are going to bring delight for some , but anger and distress to others, which will have a baring on each division and each clubs future outlook. Top100 remains ultra competitive and keeping the finger on the pulse this season, perhaps more than other seasons will be key for many teams"

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"

Espanyol arrived back in Spain this morning after another memorable night in Turin, as they beat one of the title favourites Juventus 2-1. The Italian Giants were the second big scalp in 5 games, as Espanyol had previously beaten former Champions Verona.

Espanyol are the lowest ranked side in Division 1 by some margin, however their explosive start to the season sees them joint top scorers with 13 goals across the 5 divisions, though defensively they have let in 10.

"We are under no illusions how difficult it's going to be to finish anywhere better than bottom. We've got the promotion bounce right now, where we are putting away our chances and to have 11 points at this stage is minor miracle. What we lack in ratings we have tried to offset in depth and I really can't be any happier by the surprise start. We've 33 games to try and get another 30 points now to give us a chance of staying up. Division 1 is an unforgiving place, where you can easily go on a losing run of 7-8 games and get pulled into a rut. There is a number of 6 pointers to come this season against teams which are closer to our position. Wins against the likes of Juventus and Verona are bonus points which you don't expect , but they have certainly helped towards a solid start to the season. History has shown that winning 25% of your games in division 1 is not usually enough to keep you up. West Bromley last season took points in nearly 50% of their games but still went down with 42 points. This makes life extremely tough for us and we are not getting carried away with the start. Its take each game as it comes , pray that injuries and suspensions don't de-rail the team and see where we are after 10 games, 20 games , 30 games etc. "

Tomorrow Espanyol will face Standard Liege hoping to secure their return to Division 1 and the Manager's second promotion to the top division in 3 seasons.

The club was predicted to finish 19th this season following last seasons relegation, however smart recruitment including pre-agreed deals has seen the team at the higher reaches of the table all season.

Off the pitch the Manager has had to deal with some life changing events with bad health threatening to end his tenure prematurely.

"it's been a living hell these last few months, which started when my daughter found me unresponsive , I'd gone. The Paramedics worked me for two solid hours trying to bring me back despite my organs already shutting down. What followed was a death sentence, which each day becomes harder, seeing my family and what it's doing to them makes things tough. I've tried to carry on as normal as I can , which at times can be difficult if I'm not thinking straight, i can get quite confused. On the pitch at Espanyol I've tried to continue to build short, medium and long term which is evidenced by our league position and YC final loss tonight. This next week will be a defining week for the club with two games to try and get us back up there. With that comes a struggle next season , but I've always played to win. I've considered my future at the club quite a lot in recent weeks and if it's the right time to step down at the end of the season . Real life needs to take priority and if I feel I can't give the same 100% commitment then I'd rather leave on my terms than be sacked by a panel. I've put a lot of time and effort in at Espanyol, probably too much really, but I don't know any other way.

SM in the main has always been a good escape, and bar some horrific pms I received over the last few months within the GW , I've really enjoyed TOP100.

We will get this next week out of the way, get all my deals completed then review my position at both the club, GW and SM

There maybe 8 games to go of the current season, but it's not stopped Espanyol marching on with next seasons plans with five new development players secured, and two first team players.

Joining from Celta Vigo is young French fullback Kassoum Outtara and young Spanish striker Ferri. This deal was agreed some weeks ago with Espanyol's number 1 Flekken heading the other way. "Flekken is likely to rise in the English updates, however we've a lot of faith in young French stopper Chevalier, so felt it was important to give him his chance next season. We've paid quite a lot here for two relatively inexperienced kids, but we have to believe in our scouting and hope it works out eventually."

Heading out also is captain Verratti, who was always going to be a steady the ship player. He is off to Chelsea with another young frenchman in Diarra arriving in exchange. Again on the face of it, this is a massive gamble losing a 93 for an 84. "this is one of those that either works out or don't, we have never beeb afraid to rock the market and pay big to secure players of interest. Diarra is raw, still a teenager and could turn into a top player with the right luck. We've took long term view on this , and hopefully it bares fruits"

Also arriving will be Arne Engels, a season after he signed for Espanyol . "Its felt like waiting forever given he was secured last season, however the 3 transfer rule prevented him moving in the close season. Thankfully he has continued to develop and could be a top player, and will add further competition in the development squad in midfield."

Mane yesterday agreed a shock move to Manchester City, when it was agreed talented FB Mazraoui would move to Spain with exciting Swede Hugo Larsson. "Sometimes and offer arrives which is too good to say no. In Mane's case it was exactly that. Larsson is one of the standout teenagers in world football right now, with scouts flocking from every shore to try and steel him from frankfurt. We just had to bring him here and believe pound for pound he could be the best signing I've ever made since arriving at Espanyol. Its a bold statement but one I'm happy to stand by. Getting Mazraoui top, which I didn't look too much into, is one hell of a bonus and we will review now the option of selling a FB or CB"

last night with the eye on a short term replacement for Mane , Espanyol swooped for Terrier beating off competition to land him. Oroz, Tyukavin and Gomez head to Sao Paolo. "In normal circumstances I'd not of paid Oroz on his own for Terrier, so know we've vastly overpaid . However I've always said winning comes first and we have to service first team and youth team. Mane going , left a big void out wide rating wise, so a little like Cavani last season, the rating meant more to us than the value."

"We are pretty much there for next season now, I will look to add an 89 or so CM over the next week or two, and it's likely to be an aging one or Saudi one. We will look for value , if it means cashing a major young asset in. However we are relaxed with updates still due for a number of our players which may take away the need to roll the dice. We have genuine options in every position so won't be doing too many Oroz style deals to plug gaps"

As we head to the business side of the season, the games are beginning to take their toll on Espanyol. Injuries and suspensions have plagued the side in the second half of the season, with the manager struggling for continuity within the starring 11.

The power ratings had Espanyol finishing 19th this season prior to their close and mid season business, which has propelled them to the top of the table. With a team mixed with youth and experience, the first team has managed to give 94 first team appearances to the youth squad this season, an achievement the manager is proud off.

The team has made it through to the Semi Finals of the WCC cup where they will face a mammoth task of trying to upset the odds against a very strong Porto side, whilst the youth team needs to overcome a 2-1 deficit in their quarter final youth Cup match against Torino.

"We are overachieving in terms of of our own expectations, there is some very strong teams. We have bought well in terms of adding some nice ratings in midfield and wide , but that's only half the story when you consider our 86s and 87s in defence and 88GK. Our aim this season was to continue to develop the young players whilst trading ourselves up the table, and whatever happens between now and the end of the season we have already achieved that. We continue to service both pots of the squad and are finding ourselves with overspill of talented young players, which has seen us give away a few to keep balance in all positions, with another 2 or 3 likely to be released before the end of the season to make way for Engels, Ferri and Outtara who are all due to join.

We could end the season with no achievements in terms of silverware and promotion, but another season in division 2 wouldn't be a bad thing right now to allow us to develop further with the updates. I'm not expecting wholesale changes next season, our older players will 100% stay now, whilst updates should aid our young defence"

Mendy to Celta Vigo, with Gil ferri to Espanyol

Twigt part completed Man City

Zalewski for Kalokah with A Madrid

Danilo with Arsenal

dorrington with stuttgart

gharbi from bayern

The season is only 8 games in, but Espanyol continue to exceed expectations as tonight's 1-0 win over Udinese put the Spanish side top of the pile in Division 2.

The result sees the catalan side extend their unbeaten run to 6 games.

In Verratti, Espanyol have a true leader, who is playing the best football of his career in the gameworld. Averaging a 7.5 rating, and also chipping in with 4 assists, his vision is getting the very best out of Muller and Cavani who have hit 9 goals between them. The three veterans are the heart beat of the side right now, though the manager is quick to praise his young defence.

"We've Hickey, Zabarnyi and Pacho all 21 , playing with Gomez 23, whilst we've also Senesi in there too. Its a very inexperienced defence on paper, but the goals against column of just 7 has been key to the teams success. They are holding the Fort very well which is allowing our higher rated veterans to express themselves to the maximum. We are not getting carried with the start, there is a long way to go, some top teams to face and some bumps to overcome. However we can be proud of the efforts to date. Our squad is becoming settled now with just Mane to arrive mid-season to boost our attacking options. We are not actively looking for players, as I'm extremely happy with the squad and options, with the only likely addition to be a youth player added to the database when the right opportunity presents itself. Our aims have not changed despite the start, staying up is our number one priority and until that's achieved we will need to keep on our toes and hope for some luck."

After a solid start to life in division 2, Espanyol have this week moved to strengthen their attacking threat further by securing Mane and Sesko.

Mane was identified as a possible transfer target due to his versatility of being able to lead the line or play wide. With the teams goal scoring threat currently sat on the shoulders of veteran Cavani, its hoped Mane who will join mid-season will help the team in the second half of the season to get crucial points in the teams battle to beat the drop.

"We all know what Mane can bring to a team, and his age and location is not an issue for us. We've had players like Ibrahimovic last season show their worth short term for our club, and along with Muller who is already here his experience and rating will be invaluable"

The big capture though is one for the future and a player the manager has tried to sign for the last couple of years. Sesko has all the traits to become one of the very best. He has impressed in Austria and is now playing in Germany where he is expected to shine.

"He has for a long time been muttered in the same breath as Haaland, though has some way to go to have the success the Norwegian has. He is a big lad and has been clinical so far in his career. He is someway off our first team picture yet, but will spearhead our youth team this season to try and impress. Our academy continues to look strong with other additions this past week of Lepenant and young Montenegro starlet Adzic. Adzic celebrated his move by getting his first international under 21 cap last night at just 17 years old and has already hit 4 goals in 11 appearances this season in the top flight in his homeland. He is a big lad for a attacking midfielder and one we expect to be on the rise sooner or later".

Meanwhile fellow youth players Pacho, Hickey and Zabarnyi are now fully established first team starters, with Oroz and Lepenant also part of the first team squad. "We wanted to create a path to the first team and have opted to go with our youngsters at the back this season. It's always a gamble to sacrifice the ratings, but we really believe in these lads, who have the opportunity to grow as one unit for many seasons to come along side Sergio Gomez who continues to hold his spot in defence. We will continue to give first team minutes to other youth players as we did last season with Ben Seghir, who shined when he was given the opportunity and Sudakov. With the new rules we need to manage concerns and have sent a few out on loan and will likely send 2 or 3 more out over the next week or so. "

Regarding job speculation, "This is my club, my home and the thought of leaving has never crossed my mind. My current deal runs until the end of the season and renewal talks are on hold due to personal issues, though I can say with certainty this will be my final club within top 100"