While Rafael Benitez had certainly lost the press and the support of Balaidos by the time he left Celta Vigo, the reaction to Claudio Giraldez. his replacement, seems to be more than just the release of that comes with a change of voice. The reporting on his spell since being promoted from Celta’s B team continues to be all sun and flowers.
According to Relevo, Giraldez could well be key in their hopes to hold onto three of their most promising youngsters. During Benitez’s final victory over Almeria, he sent out a starting XI with no academy products for the first time in 15 years.
Since, Giraldez has restored Iago Aspas to the line-up, while Hugo Alvarez and Carlos Dominguez have also played crucial roles. Hugo Sotelo has also been heavily involved, making his first impact on the Celta team this season.
Giraldez will know all of Alvarez, Sotelo and Dominguez well, and Celta are now optimistic about contract talks with the former pair and Fer Lopez in the B team, who are happy to see Giraldez as coach and giving chances to the academy products.
Celta have one of the most productive academies in Spain, with the likes of Aspas, Joselu Mato and Brais Mendez all coming from Afouteza. Sotelo is thought of as one of the better players in his generation, having played for Spain’s underage teams, and had the attention of Barcelona and Real Madrid last summer.
