BarcelonaEdu Expósito (Cubelles, 1996) was a foot and a half away from Girona when he received the call from Espanyol, who prevailed in the race to get his services in the last few metres. If in A Coruña he matured as a person, in Eibar he learned the importance of work. Now he returns home, ready to become one box to box for a Diego Martínez who reminds him of José Luis Mendilibar, an up-and-coming midfielder who, paradoxically, wanted to be a goalkeeper.
You’ve had a rather uncertain summer. Could you see yourself playing in Montilivi?
— Yes, it is a reality that was very close. It didn’t end because of things that don’t depend on one, the teams didn’t end up understanding each other. Espanyol’s option was activated later, and when it appeared it was the priority. I opted for Espanyol because of its history. He had wanted to play here for a long time and hadn’t been given the chance. Being able to play at home and against Espanyol was a huge plus. It’s been a difficult and strange summer, but it’s over well. The group is very good and the welcome has been very positive.
The family factor weighed on the return home. Was it hard for you to leave?
— Moving to the other end of Spain was a difficult decision. At that time I was taking care of my grandmother, which was the most important thing to me. I stopped seeing her and sharing moments that you know will be the last. He tried to keep in touch with video calls or going to see her when he had days off.
You arrive at a Spanish that is experiencing a deep remodeling. Do you understand the doubts of a large part of the fans towards a team with fewer names, but possibly with profiles rather workers?
— It is clear that great changes are taking place within the club, but what I would convey to the fans is that there is a desire to improve and keep taking steps forward. I would tell the fans to get excited for the team, come to the field, cheer and have fun. We will try to give everything on the pitch so that they are reflected in the team. As the coach says, the team is the foundation of everything. I really believe in having a block together where everyone goes to one, which is what Diego is looking for at Espanyol.
Diego Martínez has a lot of things from Mendilibar that can help me improve”
Does this work philosophy remind you of the one you experienced at Eibar with José Luis Mendilibar?
— Yes, there are many things from Mendilibar that Diego Martínez also has, which can help me continue to improve and which will allow me to adapt faster. In Ipurua we printed the rhythm and intensity that Mendilibar wanted. We hung out a lot with him, although it must be said that his training had a lot of football, which is how the body works more.
In 2018, you said in an interview that where you had the most room for improvement was in defensive work without the ball. Have you worked hard these years?
– Yes. When I arrived at Eibar, Mendilibar gave me a hard time. He’s a demanding guy, but you can talk to him like a friend or a parent. It has helped me a lot to understand football in a different way. At Eibar my game experienced a great evolution. Despite everything, I still have room for improvement, which is what we are working on with Diego Martínez. It is what he conveys to me and tries to squeeze me in this regard. And I, grateful and happy to be able to learn from him.
Traditionally, midfielders have always been technical profiles. Do you feel, however, that they are becoming more and more physical in nature?
– Yes. This figure is changing a little, in addition to making final passes and goals, they are also required to do additional work: pressurize the central players, run more and help the midfielders. There are fewer and fewer teams that put players like Isco or James Rodríguez in this position, they prefer to bet on profiles physically prepared to make great efforts and that can play 8 or on the wing.
I try to focus on different styles, coaches and players – everything you put in your head will be important”
Do you really like analyzing the game and watching matches?
– Yes. My partner actually tries to hold me back. He asks me not to watch all the matches that are played… but I end up doing it (laughs). I try to watch as much football as I can, be it First, Second or Premier. I think more and more how a coach would do it, in fact I would like to end up being one. I try to focus on different footballers, coaches and styles so that I can improve. It happened to me at Eibar, where I discovered a style of play, that of Mendilibar, which made me see football in a different way. Everything you put in your head will be important.
You have succeeded as a midfielder, but you wanted to play in another position.
— I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I don’t know if because of the uniforms or because of everything in general. At the age of five, I was already going to watch my brother’s matches dressed as a goalkeeper and I would pay attention to the saves made by the goalkeepers and the scorers. I really liked Oliver Kahn because of the shows he did. But I never ended up playing goalkeeper. I did it in my spare time, but I never specifically asked the coaches for it, nor were the circumstances given to be. I was better at playing with my feet and making goals and assists.
La Fàbrica’s goals threaten Real Madrid
Espanyol will try to add this Sunday (10 p.m., M. LaLiga) the first triumph of the season against the current champion, a Real Madrid that has won the two duels played so far. Diego Martínez is still unable to count on a Raúl de Tomás who will not be able to face his former team due to physical problems. “There is no news: he is still injured and recovering with the medical services”, the Galician coach limited himself to commenting, who did not want to give more details about the striker’s future at the white-and-blue club. Lozano, with discomfort, is also out.
Yes, three other attackers who, like RDT, also trained at La Fàbrica, the white team, will be able to play against Real Madrid: Joselu, Dani Gómez and José Carlos Lazo. The latter two have been introduced throughout the week and could get their first minutes against the club where they formed. Espanyol hopes to repeat the feat it achieved last year, when it became the first team to knock down the whitewash in the League.
