Monchi, Espanyol's sporting director, argues that England's second‑tier Championship is an overlooked source of talent. After two years as president of football operations at Aston Villa, he now watches the competition closely, especially through Espanyol’s ownership link to Burnley.

The former goalkeeper‑turned‑director cites Morgan Rogers—who moved from the Championship to Aston Villa and then to Chelsea for £117m—as proof that players can blossom there. He also points to Tyrhys Dolan, who joined Espanyol from Blackburn Rovers, and to Dutch international Quilindschy Hartman on loan from Burnley.

Monchi says Spanish clubs face squad‑cost limits, so they must target markets where smart recruitment can offset spending gaps. He blends data‑driven scouting with the market knowledge he gained in Spain, Italy and England, aiming to elevate Espanyol back to its historic stature.

While acknowledging the club’s financial constraints, Monchi stresses that progress should be measured against its own history, not against Barcelona. By tapping the Championship’s competitiveness and coaches, he hopes to restore Espanyol to the top end of La Liga, step by step.