Features
VIE 16.09.2016
Born in Madrid in 1996, his ball skills run in his blood – he is the son of futsal legend Jesus Claveria – and he likes to celebrate his goals by firing off imaginary pistols. Indeed, this shooting starlet used to get on the scoresheet more regularly as he started out as an attacker while at the Getafe CF academy, but after pitching up at Vallecas aged 14, he gradually moved back into the middle of the park.
We are talking about Pablo Claveria, who is one of the flavours of the month at Rayo Vallecano. The fans have long been aware of the young midfielder's potential – not for nothing was he handed his first-team debut in LaLiga Santander as a teenager on 13 December 2014. Now he has earned himself another shot under Jose Ramon Sandoval, forcing his way into the coach's plans with his efforts and producing some superb showings.
After making his LaLiga 1|2|3 bow as a substitute with half an hour to go on the opening matchday against Elche CF, Claveria started and was among the standout performers in a 2-0 win in the Copa del Rey tie against UD Almeria a fortnight later. He kept his place in the lineup for this past weekend's game against RCD Mallorca and impressed again.
The youngster has really applied himself to stake his claim and his hard work has been recognised by his manager, who has been at pains to praise his attitude. Indeed, after the victory over the Balearic Islanders, Sandoval waxed lyrical about the midfield schemer's improvement, highlighting his "versatility" and his willingness to "be a soldier in the way he helps the team" as well as stressing his "understanding of what a coach wants." If Claveria continues his progress at the current rate, the world – or at least Rayo's future – could well lie at his feet.
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