Roca, goodbye to the first number 21 and the youth squad with the most projection

Since Marc Roca “broke down the door” in 2016, an expression that Quique Sánchez Flores coined, he has become the youth squad with the most projection in recent years. From his excellent season with Rubi, in which he led the blue and white midfield, to his decisive participation in the European Under-21 of the same course, that of Granada del Penedés was called to be one of the most expensive sales in history , although the pandemic and its collateral damage has lowered Espanyol's claims.

The midfielder, who last year was able to go to Bayern for 20 million, will now go for a figure that will be around ten million (according to Bavarian club sources) that could increase to 15 depending on the variables. Only Gerard Moreno surpasses him, whose transfer was set at 20, and also Sergio González at the beginning of this century, whose sale to Deportivo was closed for 17.5 million. Borja Iglesias, with 28, holds the record.

Roca leaves behind 121 official games with Espanyol. From his debut against Málaga on August 26, 2016 until his expulsion against Mallorca in Segunda two weeks ago. Four years in which he has lived different moments, such as his remarkable first year, with 26 official games, his dismal second (in which he was about to go on loan and finally participated in nine games) and the two faces lived in the last two courses.

In both he played 40 games with Rubi, in his best course, and 44 with David Gallego, Pablo Machín, Abelardo Fernández and Rufete, a campaign to forget in which the midfielder, like the rest of the team, was several steps below. The first number 21 says goodbye like this, as one of the youngest players to exceed 100 parakeet matches.