At Mestalla, three members of the relegation squad were able to sign their last service with Espanyol. Raúl de Tomás, Sergi Darder and Bernardo Espinosa saw yellow and are completing their cycle, so they will miss this Sunday's game against Celta. All of them aim to be low next season for different reasons, so that 1-0 against Valencia would be their last act with the Blue and Whites.
The most sentimental goodbye is Darder's. The Mallorcan signs three seasons in the parakeet team in which he has played 124 official matches, 105 in the League, making it essential for all coaches. Less protagonist with Quique Sánchez Flores in his first year, in which he already alternated the position of midfielder with that of the middle left, reached his best version with Joan Francesc Rubi on the bench, creator of the 'Darking', spirit that accompanied the team until their European classification on the last day.
Darder became Espanyol's thermometer. His performance was the temperature of the team, and this course has been passed with a high fever. Curiously, with Rufete it is with the coach who has participated the least: he was a substitute in three games, the same as in the stage of Abelardo Fernández, more than with David Gallego and Pablo Machín. At 26 years old, the midfielder can find new opportunities in the First Division or in foreign leagues.
Less sentimental, more shocking financially, is the case of Raúl de Tomás. The striker, who in recent games has hardly participated in the game, charges six million euros gross, signed for six seasons and the cost of his transfer amounted to 23 million euros, taking into account the training rights assumed by Espanyol , the payment to Benfica and the variables. A slab too big to be taken on in Second. In his contract his departure is facilitated if the chip is matched.
Bernardo Espinosa arrived on loan from Girona, who was obliged to look for a First team in case of relegation. The cost of his transfer would be 2.5 million euros. You have to study the case of the Colombian, who could fit into Second, but from Monday he will return to Girona, who if he ascends will have more numbers to follow in the capital of Ter. Despite this, everything indicates that this option will not be executed.