The ‘extreme’ doubts of Espanyol

Diego Martínez declared in his press conference that virtue lies in adapting to the strengths of the players. That is why he spoke of different systems and models, all with flexibility and without being restricted by rigid concepts. Not because of that circumstance does the coach flee from his principles, those that he managed to capture almost perfectly in a Granada that he performed above his possibilities. The same wants to repeat in Espanyol.

Wingers are fundamental in Diego Martínez’s idea, and at Espanyol he finds himself with a wide range of players but whose performance has not been as expected in the last season or in previous stages. Analyzing case by case, it is not difficult to intuit that this position will be one of those demanded by the coach, taking into account the doubts generated by some footballers. The list of wingers is made up of Adrián Embarba, Nico Melamed, Matías Vargas and Álvaro Vadillo, to which should be added Jofre Carreras and the unknown Tony Vilhena, whose purchase option is yet to be decided.

There are three players who raise doubts while waiting for Diego Martínez to get the best out of it. Embarba has completed a poor seasonin which he has barely assisted twice, has not scored and, regardless of the numbers, has not been the unbalancing and defensively involved player that he proved to be in Second. Álvaro Vadillo, who has performed better at Málaga, has tiptoed at Espanyol although Martínez knows him from his time at Granada. Also Matías Vargas, who did not work his two years in Spain although this season he has been the top assistant in the Turkish league. The sports management will have to decide if he sells the Argentine or if instead he gives him the definitive opportunity in the first team.

The fourth winger is the one with the most projection and future, who hopes to revalue himself with Martínez on the bench after not having too many opportunities this season and not taking that premature leap that could be intuited after his great year in the Second Division. Nico Melamed must be one of the capital players next season. Jofre’s case will be determined after completing the preseason with the first team.