We are almost halfway into the season and Girona’s fairytale run still continues. There is an inarguable sense of romance about their stunning emergence as genuine title-challengers. The Catalan club have assembled a squad of bargain buys and misfits-made-good playing the best football of their career. Every Girona player seems to be pushing above their weight, and one of them is former Manchester United defender Daley Blind, whom the Red Devils sold for £14 million back in 2018.
Daley Blind shining at Girona
Girona signed Blind from Bayern Munich for free. He had a forgettable spell with the German giants, featuring just 5 times over half a season. Last season it looked like his time at the top level was over, however, this season he has silenced the critics with his performance.
Former Manchester United forward, Terry Gibson, said about Blind: “It’s astonishing! I’m looking at Daley Blind. He looks like prime Paolo Maldini at the back!”
The veteran centre-half is not only the best bargain buy of 2023/24 but also a central pillar in Michel’s tactical gameplan. Blind, along with Eric Garcia, is a key for Girona in moving the ball from back to front at a rapid rate yet with guile and finesse.
Girona are seven points clear of Barcelona in La Liga
speaking on El Tel and Jon’s La Liga Weekly podcast, Gibson said that he sees shades of Leicester City in Girona. Girona are level on points at the top of the La Liga table and seven points clear of FC Barcelona.
They are certainly not on top by fluke. Girona have won 14 of their 18 games in the league, and have won by playing attractive football.
Certainly, a lot has to be credited to their recruitment this summer. Girona made some steal signings and loan deals to bring in players like Blind, Eric Garcia, Pablo Torre, Portu, Savio and Paulo Gazzaniga among others.
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