Valencia coach Jose Bordalas is thrilled to get his mitts on Bryan Gil six months after Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur beat him to the Spain international, speaking to Marca.
Los Che may be tenth in the table, seven points adrift of the Champions League places, but do not rule out a late charge for the European spots.
Especially after a winter window which, with all things considered, can only be considered to be a success.
Losing the versatile Daniel Wass to Atletico Madrid was a disappointment. But, in Ilaix Moriba and Bryan Gil, Valencia have snapped up two incredibly talented young players, both of whom took La Liga by storm in 2020/21.
Gil was a revelation on loan at Elche, emerging from the wreckage of relegation with his reputation greatly enhanced. And, after a frustrating six months at Spurs, he returns to Spain amid lofty expectations.
For Bordalas, it’s a case of ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ as the so-called ‘Beatle of Barbate’ looks to make up for lost time on the Castellon coast.
Will Spurs’ Bryan Gil be a man reborn in Valencia?
“They (Gil, Moriba and defender Eray Comert) are the signings that the club has made. They are three boys who come to help,” says Bordalas, who is in his first season at Valencia following his arrival from Getafe.
“Ilaix is a young boy. We saw him at Barcelona last season. I wanted Bryan Gil in the summer and it couldn’t be because Tottenham signed him.
“I was talking to this boy when he was at the Olympics (in Tokyo),” Bordalas adds, via El Desmarque.
“Recently, we have also talked. He is a boy in whom I have inspired confidence and he has inspired me. He is a boy who is going to contribute a lot to us.
“He has qualities and he is very committed.”
According to Football London, Spurs still believe that 20-year-old Gil, with his shimmering stride and ‘Love Me Do’ haircut, has a bright future under Antonio Conte.
The same cannot be said of Giovani Lo Celso, following Gil to Spain on deadline day. There is an option-to-buy clause in the contract he signed with Villarreal on Monday.
Tanguy Ndombele also returned to Lyon on an initial loan deal, while Dele Alli departed for Everton.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski came in the other direction, however, joining from Juventus.
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