Wakaso ‘having a ball’ at Espanyol

Former youth international Mubarak Wakaso has switched positions at new club Espanyol and is enjoying his new role big time.

Wakaso joined the Barcelona based Espanyol on a 4-year contract after leaving relegated Villareal and has quickly become an integral part ofMauricio Pochettino’s first team.

He needed just a few minutes on his debut to bang in his first goal for the club in a pre-season friendly but the former Ashgold star was at it again in his first competitive fixture last Saturday too. “When I signed the contract, I told them in my own small way I will help them to play in the Champions’ League and the Europa League. “I have been here for a few weeks and already I am learning a lot from my colleagues, my coach, the technical and medical teams. The coach has been talking to me a lot about the number 3 position he would like me to play,” Wakaso said. The coach may have spoken a lot about the left footed Wakaso’s number 3 position so much but it was upfront, and most notably on the right side that the Ghanaian played, sometimes switching play to the left. Wakaso may have been overshadowed in the end by Mallorca striker Tomer Hemed who struck twice to give his side victory but the Ghanaian was not found wanting. He was outstanding and exhibited fluidity and fluency both in defence and in attack throughout the 68 minutes he lasted.

Wakaso topped it up with accuracy to score Espanyol’s goal after excellently cutting in from the right to strike a sweet low shot with his favourite left foot.

“Not only has he scored the goal, he’s causing Mallorca all sorts of problems and is willing to run,” the commentator said of Wakaso even as the match was still in the first half.