Villarreal defender and reported Real Madrid target Alfonso Pedraza has explained how his spell playing in England helped him ‘grow up’.
The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Alaves – for whom he made 37 first-team appearances – and prior to that he spent the 2016/17 season between Segunda outfit Lugo and Leeds United.
“You are far from your family and have nobody to lean on,” Pedraza told an interview with Marca.
“For example, I have nephews but I did not get to see them grow during this period, so it helps you mature a lot.
“Before moving to England, I had never before lived outside of Spain and this helped me see a different type of football, another culture with new teammates.
“It was a very good experienced that helped me to grow up.
“We have to live football 24 hours a day now, I find it very hard to disconnect as I am constantly thinking of improving and taking care of myself.
“We are always working, because we have to have 10 years of a good career.”
Pedraza has featured in 14 of Villarreal’s matches to date this season and has earned glowing reviews, including scoring a late equaliser against Levante this month.