In

Joe Gomez, Saul Niguez, Mikel Oyarzabal, Mikel Merino, Alvaro Morata, Marcos Poalo, Esequiel Barco, Oihan Sancet, Schouten,

Out

Brozovic, Ndidi, Raphinha, Alberto, Trincao, Fernandez ,Nunez, Under, Aguero (retired), Bouanga, Sanchez, Torres

Glen Mullan's ethos of building a good youth set up is already beginning to take shape at Espanyol. Other the coming weeks we will review some of the youngsters he is tipping to make an impact.

REDA KHADRA

Khadra came through the ranks at Borussia Dortmund, and is of Lebanese descent. During his time there he helped Dortmund win both the under 17 and under 19 Bundesliga. Khadra despite predominantly being a wide player, contributed a number of goals during his time in the youth set up, before being snapped up by English Premier league side Brighton.

Khadra has already made his debut at Premier League level as a substitute but an injury soon after ruled him out for the rest of his first season.

After impressing Blackburn in a pre season friendly, Rovers made the move to sign the flying winger on loan for the season to fill the void of another teen sensation Harvey Elliott who returned to his parent club liverpool after a very successful season at Blackburn.

Khadra has had initially bide his time to get regurlar starts at Blackburn however in the last couple of months has become a regurlar. During that period he has become a lethal weapon with his unbelievable pace and close ball control. Chipping in with 3 goals and 5 assist already, his involvement has coincided with Blackburn marching up the table to second place in the Championship.

Strengths- Tony Mowbray states "he's the fastest player he's ever coached" . Khadra covers the ground quickly and is equally at home on either wing, or playing down the middle. His dribbling skills are exceptional, as is his ability to put dangerous balls into the box at pace. He has an eye for goal, and has shown that can be from 25 yards or 5 yards.

Weaknesses - He is not the tallest player and prefers the ball into feet or into space as he offers no aieral threat. He needs to get his head up more, as sometimes he will beat 4 or 5 players but fails to then pass when the opportunity is on. He is still young and can be pushed off the ball in high physical games.

CONCLUSION - Khadra has come through a good education at youth level, and is already standing out in the Championship which is historically physical and demanding. As with Harvey Elliott, he is showing all the attributes to step up to Premiership football and be a real threat. Currently valued at £200k by transfer market, that value in real time terms is soaring. Brighton have pulled off a blinder securing him. Khadra has the potential to become an international player, and certainly head up to the 87/88 mark on SM within a couple of seasons if he can maintain regurlar games. Other clubs will be taking notice of the progress he is making and Espanyol see him as a long term prospect.

"I'm fortunate as a Blackburn Supporter that I see Reda play week in week out. He is currently keeping Dolan out the team, who himself has been a revelation, and also Leighton Clarkson who has returned to Liverpool due to struggling to break into the rovers side. His understanding with Brereton Diaz has been the Catalyst of rovers march into automatic promotion contenders. In a 50/50 foot race no one has been able to live with his pace. He is an excellent talent, who will go on to bigger and better things. I picked him up straight away for Espanyol and note that he only appears to have come to the attention of Dan at Juventus with him on his shortlist. Given Dan's eye for young talent, thats a positive sign. He has at present just a 68 rating, and i'm looking fowards to the rises and seeing how far he can go. I recall watching Jude Bellingham play as a 16 year old in one of his first games for Birmingham. You could see he was going all the way to the top, Harvey Elliott is similar, and now I put Khadra in that bracket as a serious young player to watch"

s

There is still one game to go for 8th place Espanyol in Division 1, but its the camp that never sleeps, and today the club finalised more transfers.

We review the new look line up.

Handonovic- 92 rated Goalkeeper. Now really very much a veteran but the manager has stated he will be the clubs number 1 until he retires. Espanyol have brought in two keepers for the future in Frenchman Bernardoni who has already had plus 1 since signing, and Brazilian Brenno who the manager likes. "We've two long term improvers for once Handonovic hangs his gloves up and don't forsee us going back into the market for another keeper. We are a division 1 side with a solid 92 keeper.

Joe Gomez 91 RIghtback - Gomez will join from Arsenal and replace veteran D'ambrosio 88 rated at Fullback. The team has been looking for a long term solution since Trippier departed. With Gomez's inclusion in the back four the team is already stronger. Gomez joins from Arsenal as Part of the Brozovic departure, with Saul Niguez the other half of the deal its superb business for the Spanish club. "Gomez is unlucky he plays for Liverpool, they have so many talented defenders, and prior to his injury he was in the side and the England set up. He is just 24, can also cover at Centre back, it was a no brainer for us to bring him in"

Jordi Alba 92 Left back - Alba has been the subject of some enquiries but will remain at Espanyol. He was not downgraded in the Spanish update, and with a 92 rating is still one of the games best left backs. "I'm surprised he was not snapped up when we was hawking him around, things change and now he wont be sold"

Bonucci 92 Centre back - Like Alba, the italian veteran looked surplus to requirements but a combination of poor offers has seen a rethink and he will captain the side as a solid 92 rated centre back next season

Martinez - 90 Centre back - The Spanish international was one of two players Mullan aquired when parting with Trippier. At 30 he has lots of miles in the tank and has built a good understanding with Bonucci.

Mikel Merino 91 Centre mid - SInce returning to Spain the 25 year old has been a revelation. Espanyol had been tracking him a couple of weeks, and today made their move once Ndidi's sale was confirmed. Also rated 91 and comfortable defensive or offensive, it is thought he will be Ndidi's direct replacement. Going out as part of the deal is Brazilian winger Raphinha and Enzo Fernandez. "We could of waited a couple of days for the update but this is a great deal for both clubs. Trying to replace quality like Ndidi or Busquets is difficult, but i think we've chosen well. He has not finished improving and at 25 will become part of the furniture in our first 11."

Fernandinho 91 centre mid - The veteran joined as a squad player earlier this season and has been utilised in both midfield and centre back. He is not getting younger but has become a vital member of the engine room "Its his performances and versatility which has given us more confidence in parting with players. We will need to manage his age and body, but he is a key player for us"

Oyarzabal 92 rated attacking midfielder - This was a deal the Manager was desperate to do. A world class player who is getting better and better. Negotiations were hard, with it looking at times that it was not going to happen. Ndidi moves on with recently signed Nunez. Its a big price but with Aguero retiring he adds goals, assist and becomes easily the teams best player. "You look where we were 20 games ago our options in attacking midfield was Di Maria and Aspas, fast forward 20 games and we've traded our way to now have one of the worlds hottest properties, i'm really excited by this deal"

Saul Niguez 92 Midfielder- The other part of the Brozovic departure needs some love irl. His move to Chelsea has yet to work out, but lets remember he is still only 27, and can play nearly anywhere in Midfielder. Two years Brozovic junior but rated the same, he still has time on his side to rediscover form, get a decent move and maintain his rating. "We got 2 x 90 plus players for one. Broz is 29, and was one of three players we recieved when Koke left. To now get two players with good ratings is unbelievable business for us, his versatility will be vital for us next season"

Fekir- 91 winger - Fekir has been a revelation since joining as the other part of koke's departure. His assist will be critical and if he can control his discipline and stay on the pitch, could be the clubs key man next season. "He is still only 28 and has been excellent since we brought him in, there has been interest from other clubs for him, but its very much a not for sale sign against Fekir"

Morata - 91 striker - When it was confirmed Aguero would retire the devastation within the camp cannot be underestimated. There was no plausible back up, with the clubs impressive youth too far away at this stage of impacting the first team. "We scoured every cranny and had 10s of knock backs to buy a striker. In the end the breakthrough came with Southampton wanting three of our starlets. We were a little backed into a corner with the retirement and we've paid big to bring a striker with a chequered history. Alberto was our jewel, but along with Trincao and Torres players which I brought to the club, we've parted ways and have a division 1 capable striker. He has big shoes to fill but hopefully being back in Spain we can get the goals I know he's capable of"

Wiegl 90 Defender/midfielder- joins from Sao Paulo for quite s hefty fee, given the clubs player of the year Sarabia and Under have moved in the opposite direction. "He's only 26, can cover defence and midfield and gives us more legs long term in defence when Bonucci hangs his boots up. We had to halt negotiations with other clubs that could of brought a minimum 93 midfielder in as under was part of a 2 for 1 on the midfielder. However Sao Paulo agreed a deal quicker and although we've given a lot both who have left would not now make our best 11"

youths

Marcos Paulo 80 joins from Man City as part of the Busquets deal

Esequiel Barco 85 also joins as part of the Busquets deal.

Oihan Sancet 85 joins as part of Ndidi sale from Chelsea

Alvaro Bastida 75 joins from Cadiz

"i'm excited by the new crop of youngsters given the few we've had to part with. We've managed to keep hold of the likes of Rodri Sanchez too and have a number of players who will just get better and better from our youngsters. We will start the new seasin with a stronger starting 11 than the one that ends this season, whilst more importantly we've significantly reduced the age of the squad.

the likes of Aspas, Herrera, Di Maria, Alonso, and Matip have all moved on. However when I reel off Oyarzabal, Niguez, Martinez, Gomez, Morata, Merino, Fekir, I strongly believe we are going in the right direction"

At 9am yesterday you would not have thought with two games to go, that Espanyol would sell two of their main stars in Busquets and Brozovic. However by early evening both had agreed moves elsewhere, as the manager continues to cull on what was once a very aging squad.

Brozovic will move to Arsenal in a move which sees the Espanyol bag a 91 rated 24 year old defender in Joe Gomez, and versatile midfielder Saul.

"top defenders are so hard to get, especially young ones which can walk straight into a division 1 side. In Gomez we have someone who can play rightback and centre back, and has his best years ahead of him. I'm delighted he will join in the close season. Brozovic is an excellent player, but at 29 is he going to go up in value?. Saul Niguez can play across the midfield, and although his career has somewhat stalled, he is still only 27. To get him and Gomez for Brozovic is excellent business"

The ink was not dry, when Man City came calling for Busquets. Their initial offer was countered, and an agreement came very soon after for club captain Busquets to depart. Darwin Nunez was a major pull in this deal, whilst Barco and Paolo two very talented youngsters was a bonus. "You never want to part with your best players, but how long can Busquets keep going? The offer was too good to pass on, Nunez is hot property and at 22 the best is yet to come with him. We have lost Alberto and Aguero in the last week, bringing Morata in and Nunez will more than fill the void. In Barco and Paolo, we are signing potential. Only time will tell if they fulfil that and if they do, then this deal could be the steal of the century"

Espanyol have tonight agreed to sign Alvaro Morata from Southampton, as the replacement for Sergio Aguero who has announced his retirement. The deal comes as a surprise after the manager had resigned himself to letting the young guns realise their potential at Espanyol.

Moving to Southampton is Brazilian wonderkid Yuri Alberto, Torres and Trincao in a triple move which will raise an eyebrow or two.

"lets be clear, we didnt want to lose any of the three we've let go. All three have great potential and Alberto in particular was one of the jewels of our crown. However, how do you even start to replace a striker of Aguero's quality? We had some discussions regarding one of our first team and youth moving, or three youth players. The opportunity to keep the first teamer and add another first teamer to our side in the end was the decision. I think Morata at 29, is sensible business for us rated at 91, but still in my opinion has a 92 in there as a current international at a top team. Time will tell on that front."

I'd like to thank Southampton for their swift negotiations, our players are on transfer bans at until mid january, so the deal will happen over the close season. I'm looking forward to bringing Morata in, he can be that 15 to 20 goal a season striker we need, and puts us in a much stronger position than perhaps we would of been going into next season.

Espanyol Manager today paid tribute to two of his recruits who in his words "are the future". Its no secret Handanovic is 37, and has been an outstanding goalkeeper during his time here, trying to replace that quality is no easy task. Brazil has in recent times produced some incredible goalkeepers, Allison and Moraes spring to mind who are arguably the two of the best in the world right now. However is Costa Brenno, I think we have potentially another who could reach great heights. He's moved about a bit over the last few Top 100 seasons, but I think there has been a hastyness in moving in on so soon. He is catching the eye in Brazil, and is still a boy in goalkeeping terms. Along with Bernardoni the 24 year old french keeper we snapped up, which was rewarded with a plus one in the latest French update, we have two good young keepers who will fight out the number 1 jersey once Handanovic hangs up his gloves.

At the other side of the field Mullan is purring at the potential of Yuri Alberto. The 20 year old striker has been a revelation in Brazil over the last year and with many of Europes big clubs circling the manager does not see the wait being too long before the samba star is impacting the first team. We pushed hard to get Yuri from Celta Vigo, parting with proven stars when he arrived along with his compatriot Raphina in a double deal. Playing the long game can be dangerous in Division 1, especially when you start to part with your highest rated players. When we made the call to part with the likes of Di Maria and Aspas, it was with the knowledge we would take a short term hit for a season or two. However to have Alberto and Raphinha with bags of promise and growth in them, its very exciting. The news this week Aguero is retiring is a big blow for us, we have no immediate replacement and despite our efforts in the transfer market, we have not been able to attract someone to come in and take over the mantel. We have instead sold Villalibre to inter milan, which may surprise one or two as it was a cash deal, however I don't believe he is our long term answer. I think Buksa will continue to improve and will probably start next season as our main striker despite his 85 rating. Dovbyk has come in this week too, who has been a revelation in the Ukraine. He is currently amongst the top scorers in world football, and although he'd need a real life move to a bigger club and league at 24 years old, there is possibilities. So where does that put Alberto? Well i think he is one update away from being an 85 along side Buksa, which puts him firmly in the first team picture next season. I'm sure once his transfer ban is up, there is going to be cheeky offers. We was actually quoted for one player this week who is not a regular at his real life club, is the same age and is rated at 84, that they would want Alberto and possibly Raphinha and another player. I wasnt sure if they'd been on the wine, but right now Alberto's transfer value is higher, and his potential for growth in my opinion is far more. People will need to get up earlier in the morning to try and hoodwink me. I've been around for long enough to know the game and the players. I do fair deals, not stupid ones.

The future, is looking good right now for us at Espanyol, with my only concern my own health given my chemotherapy was postponed pending further test a couple of months ago. I'd like to be here to see these players mature, I enjoy top 100, and its certainly been a gameworld which has allowed me to escape my own personal daily fight with life, and the challenges ahead for me and my family.

I'd like to wish everyone, a very merry Xmas and prosperous new year, keep it real, keep it friendly and remember "the only person who will ever hold you back, is you"

Its that time of year where the premium leagues around Europe are getting their sm updates. Like every other Manager Espanyol's has his fingers crossed on one or two getting a nice plus 1 or 2 to aid the clubs transition.

"We have 19 players plying their trade in Spain, so by law of averages we'd be hoping for a couple of our players to gain rises, whilst keeping our fingers crossed Busquets and Alba can maintain their 92 ratings. Our biggest hopes for a rise in spain are":

RODRI SANCHEZ - Its been a real breakthrough for the talented Spanish under 21 star over the last 12 months. Plenty of first team game time has a number of clubs looking to activate the players £24 million release clause. Espanoyl are hoping at least a plus 5 is in the offing at this round pf updates.

INIGO MARTINEZ , recently signed and although 30, is playing arguably his best football for both club and country. Its 4 years since the Spanish central defender was updated, and although an outside chance the gaffer is hoping his 90 becomes a 91.

SERGIO SANTOS has already made his debut for the Real Madrid first team at the age of 20 and rated at 73, although not a big rise, he may get another plus 2 or 3. He is very much a long term prospect at Espanyol and will be monitored over the next two years to see if he can progress.

JAVI PUADO is impressing presently for Espanyol and at 23 has further improvement in him. Currently rated at 85, a plus one is a possibility and one that will very much determine the managers long term plan for the player.

Meanwhile the Manager is also hoping for rises in Italy for

CARLES PEREZ - He has always had the talent but is beginning to show signs of maturity at Roma, i'm expecting a plus 1 or 2 for him, which would give us an interesting asset given he is still only 23.

Over to the English update and the gaffer thinks the following will get updates.

WIFRID NDIDI - there is mixed opinions on him getting an update, but its been two years since his last one, since then his stock has risen as has is value. If he can squeeze a plus one, it would give us a 92 rated player who can play centre midfied and centre back. It also gives us a major asset to potentially trade off for a long term striking option. If no rise this time, its only a matter of time.

RAPHINHA- We paid a lot to bring him to Espanyol and although his value is not rocketing on Transfermkt, his stock and potential suitors as possible transfer destinations IRL are. A plus one is a possibility this time around although its far from guaranteed and it may take another year, but in that time its not out of yhe question that it would be a plus to given his progress at club and international levels.

"i'm in a strange position now with the squad, I have two targets who are long term prospects I want to bring to the club and I fear these maybe snapped up unless I can make that happen in the next week or two, yet I dont want to really part with any of mine until these updates are done, as I'm liking to the potential in our fringe players. Of the older players, Alba, Bonucci and Busquets, again I dont want to part with them, despite offering then out over the last couple of days. Aguero is due to retire which has me searching for a striker again, thats going to take a sacrifice unless we can get a rating rise into a key player, which can compensate for the loss. I don't regret the gamble I took on his fitness, some you win, some you lose. He has managed 9 goals already, and had the fitness gone the other way, we'd have been laughing. As it is, we will lose the player at the end of the season and we continue to plan long term without him"

Its been a month since Espanyol brought in the new boss, and in that time a lot has happened.

The squad has had a full makeover with no fewer than 12 players added to the youth set up, a feat which has the manager smiling with excitement. "What we inherited here was a side doing well in the league, but with so many players well into their 30's and on the decline, it was only a matter of time before it caught up with the team and the decline started. Wholesale changes is not always the brightest move, but i'm pleased we made that decision. Our youth team now has 17 players who we won't be parting with. I'm really excited by some of them and if the updates are kind over the next couple of years we have some serious talent on our hands".

Away from the youth team, the first team is starting to take shape and results in the main have been promising. The club is picking up points in the league, whilst they jave progressed to the quarter final of the shield. So whats changed? "Our goal per game ratio has increased dramatically, we had far too many draws on the board and not enough wins. We've missed Fekir the last three games as he's started like a house on fire since his arrival from Standard Liege. His creativity has been putting them on a plate for the likes of Aguero. Add into that Sarabia, Raphinha and Under, who are all doing their bit and we have goals in the team. Brozovic has also been chipping in with goals and assist, and has been massive for us since joining. We are only a month in, and we are hoping Ndidi and Raphinha get upgrades on the next English league update. It would further strengthen our first 11, and increase competition for places. We've a few players in their early 20s who now need to show their long term worth, and we'll monitor that over the next season or two. Not everyone can be a 90 plus rated player, and we've plenty with promise, but the reality is we are looking at 4 or 5 who could make that transition."

Espanyol are in a difficult division 1, but there is no excuses from the Manager "its always tough to part with your higher rated players, but we've done that with both eyes open and I strongly believe we have more than enough to be a division 1 team for many a season to come. If this side was to go down then i'd see it as a massive failure on my part, despite the need to lower the age of the squad. This is 100% different to Napoli where we had no starting point and no assets. This club had players to trade and we've done that knowing the risk that comes with it. Yes the likes of Di Maria could of given us another 2 or 3 seasons rated in the 90s bracket, however it would of been harder to get a trade for a player likely to hit the 90s in the next few months. We are fairly comfortable in 8th in Division 1, which is where we were when I joined, so we've not suddenly nose dived. We are now going through a period of transition which is likely to last until the end of next season. However the season after we would be looking to be trying to push into the top 4, which on paper right now looks a tough ask, but i'm quietly confident we have the improvement in us"

Its been all change since Mullan took the reigns at Espanyol after a flurry of transfer activity. However after tonights 3-0 win over Dortmund the spanish side sit a credible seventh in division 1.

There is a big question mark over new signing Aguero's long term future with fears of him retiring growing. However 6 goals in 6 games, has seen the side go from being goal shy, to being more potent in attack. New signings Brozovic and Fekir in particular have settled in well, both assisting and scoring goals.

"we are still in the experimental stage, looking at different tactics, whilst bedding in the new players. We have a few players who will improve during the updates, and it will give us further options. Obviously the news about Aguero is a massive blow and it was a gamble we felt worth taking at the time Sometimes they pay off, and sometimes they dont. His 6 goals in 6 games is exactly why we signed him, however if retirement is confirmed, then that will be a massive void for us to fill, especially in such a competitive division.

I'm liking the look of our youth team, there is some real raw talent in there, and it only takes one or two to really break through to give you options and essential assets. Our aim now is to try and pick up as many points as possible between now and the end of the season to stay in the safe zone, whilst having a good look at all our first team squad options. There is going to be opportunities for the likes of Under, Raphinha, Buanga and Buksa, to get some game time and show us what they can do. We will need to decide which games we throw fringe players in and also how many at any given time. We are pretty solid in 7th, but not really in any danger of pushing towards the top four this season. We have a healthy gap to the drop zone, so it makes perfect sense to me to keep exploring our different options now, rather than being forced to because of an injury/suspension crisis"

A week in football is a long time, and its been all change at Espanyol in the gaffers first week in charge. The entrance and exit doors have been very busy, with a flurry of activity which has seen some big mainstays of the Espanyol furniture move on to pastures new, and new blood arrive.

"As the song goes ITS a new dawn ITs a new day, is very much the theme and feeling of this new project for me. Its a time for new hero's to be born and a for us to try and bridge the gap on some of the bigger clubs for the long term, rather than just compete short term. Making all these changes mid season is a massive gamble with the team comfortably in mid table. However the team was quite off the pace in terms of challenging the top 4 and If i'd waited until the season end, some targets may have got rises, transfers elsewhere, whilst my own players could of dropped but would certainly would of got even older and become less attractive to potential suitors. We looked at the Maguire and Koke situation 28 and 29 respectively and probably maxed out in terms of potential. Do they become less valuable in their 30's? I think when you are trying attract players like Ndidi at 24, worth over £50 million and rising it gets much tougher to get 3 players your way with quality when only parting with two. I think in Ndidi we have a player everyone would love. He is 100% going up to at least 92 in the next update and is the long term Kante in soccer manager. He becomes a massive asset for this club who we can build a team around. Another example would be Raphinha, how long is he staying 89? He is establishing himself as a regular in the Brazil national team and had started this season on fire at Leeds. At just 24 years old joining alongside one of the top scorers in Brazil in Alberto, who is just 20 is very shrewd business when parting with high rated Di Maria 92 and Aspas 91. At 33 and 34 years old, genuinely how many more seasons at the highest level do they have? Where are Espanyol if we don't cash in at the right time? I'm really pleased with the business we've done so far. We don't need to do an awful lot of business now. We've grown the youth team to 17 players, but with some really good prospects in there. In terms of the first team, over the next season or 2, we will look to find a couple of long term centre backs, and fullbacks, and of course the big one is a long term Goalkeeper. Handonovic is currently 37, with our back up keeper not the long term solution. Replacing him is going to be tough given clubs dont want to part with their goalkeepers and many up and coming are already snapped up. The issue with goalkeepers, is once they establish themselves, they tend to keep the number 1 jersey IRL, making it difficult for good goalkeepers who play number 2 or 3 to get gametime, which stops their rating growth. I think Martinez the Argentinian is a great example of this. He has had a mass injection of rises heading into his 30's due to the number of seasons he couldnt get that number 1 shirt at Arsenal.

Looking ahead, we've some tough games coming up against the sides at the top, which is likely to see us have some big losses, and with that a spiral down the table. We play Barcelona tomorrow, who will be licking their lips at the prospect of playing an unsettled Espanoyl, especially as they lost the reverse fixture 3-0. The pressure is on them to keep winning to win the league, my only pressure is to ensure we don't go down as my judgement will be on my first full season"