Features
VIE 25.11.2016
"Espanyol have a great academy and we see ambitious, enthusiastic young players here. It's a blessing to have them with us." This quote aptly sums up the commitment to blooding home-grown talents that Quique Sanchez Flores has displayed right from the get-go after being appointed as the RCD Espanyol boss.
Since the Madrilenian took the reins, three starlets from the Pericos' prolific production line have taken their longed-for first steps in LaLiga Santander: Marc Roca, Aaron Martin and Oscar Melendo.
The first to force his way into Sanchez Flores's plans was Roca (26 November 1996), who dazzled in pre-season with the Espanyol first team. The anchorman was given his top-flight debut against Malaga CF on Matchday 2 and has since established himself as a mainstay in the side, racking up nine appearances in all, of which eight have come in the starting lineup. His 639 minutes of game time have been ample for him to show that he can consummately perform both sides of a midfielder's brief: he has made 297 passes, one of which was an assist, and won the ball back 34 times. These outings have also been enough to earn him a new contract running until 30 June 2022. "I'm living the dream and I don't want to wake up," he said last month.
Roca's friend Martin (22 April 1997) was the next youngster to enter the first-team frame, making his bow in the Matchday 7 clash against Villarreal CF. Since then the left-back has featured in each of the club's fixtures, starting four of them. In 427 minutes out on the pitch, he has chalked up 186 passes and reclaimed possession on 22 occasions. The defender is eager to push on and not to look back: "I want to take advantage of the opportunities that come my way and I'll try to do the best I can."
The last of these three home-grown musketeers to get his big break was Melendo (23 August 1997), another talented midfielder. The highly rated prospect, who has been at Espanyol since the tender age of five, fulfilled a dream when he played for 27 minutes in the win over D. Alaves at Mendizorroza last weekend.
By all accounts, there is more where this trio came from and so Espanyol's future looks to be in very safe hands indeed.
© LALIGA - 2016