Rufete, the ‘interior designer’

That the Espanyol squad is not fully compensated is a reality that can be seen by analyzing the profile of the players, although Vicente Moreno considers that “we have a good team and my goal is to get the most out of it”. One of the greatest examples, after the arrival of Tonny Vilhena, is the collection of interiors of different qualities that converge, up to seven that complement a midfield without a clear positional six aside from David López, but with players who can act in identical positions. Repeated chromes with their nuances.

The template made by Rufete has added this January to the Dutch midfielder for that populated midfield that Espanyol has. Vilhena, who has played left back and playmaker, already commented in the press room that “I will play wherever they put me“, although his formative position and the one in which he feels most comfortable is inside. With a good shot and drive, the footballer also brings defensive qualities. Without being so versatile, a role like that of Yangel Herrera.

Melendo is also an ideal footballer to cover that demarcation of playmaker or interior right, spaces that he has occupied with Vicente Moreno in this campaign and a half. With fewer minutes and more positional, Merida, also left-handed, has only played 145 minutes, and has had to cover that position ahead of the defense without being the one in which he performs best. Like Sergi Darder, who likes to see football face to face as an inside player or as a companion to another midfielder who can hold that position in midfield.

The famous six is, as the sports director commented in September at the close of the market, “something more outside than inside… We wanted to give the coach those versatile tools, which is what happens in modern football, where there is not so much specificity“. An affirmation that Rufete is respecting. However, with structural problems, Keidi Bare y Manu Morlanes They have been chosen to cover that position of positional midfielder, two players who do not respond to the profile but who have adapted with their virtues and shortcomings.

Seven interiors of which at least four of them, taking into account the end of the loan of Morlanes and Herrera and the end of the contract of Melando and Mérida, will leave the squad next season, while Vilhena will be waiting for execute your purchase clause of three million. For the moment, in the remaining four months of the championship, everyone will converge if there are no exits in the few days that remain in the market.