About Pau López
At 20 years old - he will turn 21 on December 13 - Pau López is called to be the new Kiko Casilla of Espanyol. This idea is shared by the people who will decide who will be the starting goalkeeper for the team this season. Both Tommy N'Kono, goalkeeping coach, and the coach, Sergio González, and the sporting director, Óscar Perarnau, believe that the homegrown player has the ideal conditions to be trusted as the team's goalkeeper in the upcoming season and in the following seasons.
There are many aspects that contribute to this decision. First and foremost, the commitment to the academy. Whenever there is a vacancy, the sporting direction looks to the reserve team and to the players from the club, as Perarnau has already made successful decisions in delicate situations, such as the choice of Sergio, or the coach himself when he decided that Rubén Duarte was the left back. Age is not a problem, perhaps experience is, considering how hard it is to establish oneself as a goalkeeper in the top flight. But in this aspect, N'Kono has confidence in Pau because of the character and composure he has shown in the moments when he has had to step up, like in the Copa.
With similar characteristics to Casilla (aerial game, reflexes, footwork, and tactical intelligence), Pau has the advantage over the goalkeeper that Espanyol finally signs. The decision is being delayed because the club is not willing to invest in a goalkeeper who might end up as a substitute. For that reason, and even though Memo Ochoa is a viable option, negotiations with Málaga and with the Mexican goalkeeper himself will not be easy, considering that he occupies a non-EU player spot.
From Italy. Here comes the name that AS published last Friday. Francesco Bardi, goalkeeper for Inter Milan and U21 international, is currently the option that pleases everyone at Espanyol the most. Bardi would arrive on loan for a season, ensuring that Pau's progression is not hindered, as he might be relegated to the bench for a long period of time if an experienced goalkeeper arrives with the aspiration of playing. The Italian goalkeeper's own representative confirmed Espanyol's interest yesterday on the tuttomercato website. "There are three or four teams from the Spanish league that are interested in the goalkeeper. Espanyol and Real Sociedad are among them. Then, there is also Eintracht German, which comes with strength and a different speech."
The competition between Pau and Bardi can improve them both. Although Pau has the advantage, it will be the competition itself and the trainings that will determine who ends up winning the starting position.
The situation for Germán Parreño remains the same, as he is still waiting for his loan to a second division club to be finalized. The goalkeeping coach has a lot to say in the case of the goalkeepers.