Forced by the economic situation that the club is experiencing, Espanyol’s sports management worked throughout the summer with several low-cost options to reinforce the forward line after the departure of Martin Braithwaite. In that search for players who could contribute goals, Alejo Véliz and Cheddira ended up arriving, two players with completely different characteristics. The good references of both meant that, a priori, the stands granted them a vote of confidence. After a quarter of the championship, both players have only accumulated one goal, something that has set off all the alarms among the fans.
The debate is served. Should Véliz or Cheddira play? Or perhaps Irvin Cardona has more qualities to be able to play in space away from home. So far Manolo González has given the starting role to Alejo Véliz, whose technical qualities convinced the coach. The Argentine has occupied a place in the eleven in eight of the ten games played. Strong and more static, his task is to unload balls for other teammates and be the finisher who concludes all the plays.
Véliz has started in eight games and Cheddira in two, and they only have one goal between them
However, so far in the championship he has failed to shoot in six games, and has only found the goal in four of the eleven times he has shot on goal. Of course, his goal in the semi-final against Rayo gave three very important points to the blue and white team.
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Cheddira’s role has been more secondary. His only starts were at the Santiago Bernabéu and the Benito Villamarín, where Espanyol took the field with an eminently defensive plan. The Moroccan needs space to feel comfortable and has shown good ability to unmark and dribble. However, the finish remains his Achilles heel.
Poor baggage
The team has only scored two goals away from the RCDE Stadium
Other options that the Folgoso do Courel coach has are Irvin Cardona or Pere Milla, both used until now on the left wing. The two have gained prominence with the loss of Puado, but they do not seem to have convinced the coach and when Puado returns they will once again wait for an opportunity on the bench.
The blow suffered this Saturday against Athletic in San Mamés (4-1) only increases the pressure on the parakeet forwards, who are not contributing the desired number of goals. It is especially worrying that Espanyol has only scored two goals away from home. One of them was an own goal, the work of Courtois. The other, by Tejero and with the match already resolved in San Mamés.
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In the club offices, the evolution of the team’s performance is closely monitored and it is not ruled out that if the same dynamic continues, the winter market will be resorted to to get a little more competition in a fundamental position for Espanyol to remain in First next season.
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