Vigo, Mar (EFE) players of the current squad.
The under-21 international Gabri Veiga is the best example, but not the only one. Carles Pérez or Luca de la Torre, without prominence during the Coudet stage, have become indisputable pieces in the sky-blue eleven. Javi Galán and Unai Núñez have multiplied their performance, and the new coach, Luis de la Fuente, already has them on his radar.
“We are here to help the players to be better, it is our job: to win games, have a competitive team and make the players improve day by day,” said Carvalhal in one of his last press conferences.
The Portuguese landed in Balaídos being practically unknown despite his successful career in Portugal.
“He has silenced many mouths with silent but effective work”, they point out at Celta, where some, saving the differences due to the character that distinguishes both, already compare him with Luis Enrique Martínez, the coach who revolutionized the work methods in A Madroa, the club’s old sports city until its move to Mos in November 2020.
Carvalhal seeks in Celta to repeat what he already did in his country. There he generated millions of euros for the coffers of two modest clubs such as Rio Ave and Braga with the revaluation and sale of several players: Taremi, Nuno Santos or Matheus Reis exploded with him in Vila do Conde; Paulinho, Esgaio, Galeno or Fransergio in Braga.
In addition, the current sky-blue coach launched youngsters like Vitinha, whose transfer to Olympique de Marseille left 32 million in profit for Braga, who raised another 20 million for center-back David Carmo, whom Carvalhal polished in his early days.
“He left an indelible mark on our club, maybe not as big as in Braga, but very important,” says the Portuguese Ramos, from Rio Ave. There are many, also in Vigo, who highlight Carvalhal’s ability to collect and analyze a huge amount of data that he then applies in training and matches.
In the Celta dressing room, they also appreciate that his pulse does not tremble if he has to “touch” a player. He did it with Javi Galán, and justified it: “He had to do something, a 100 player can’t give 60”.
Also with an emblem like Hugo Mallo, whom he sent to the bench when the noise of his possible departure from the club felt that it was affecting his performance: “He lost focus due to events.”
Carvalhal’s contract ends on June 30, but the club’s president and largest shareholder, Carlos Mouriño, has already made it clear that his intention is to renew him. He wants to build Celta del Centenario under the Portuguese double C: Campos-Carvalhal.
David Molds