Championship excellent place to discover talent - Espanyol's Monchi

Espanyol's sporting director, Monchi, has praised the Championship as a valuable source of talent for Spanish clubs. The former goalkeeper returned to his native Spain after two years working as Aston Villa's president of football operations. Espanyol, one of the oldest clubs in Spain, are exploring markets where they can compete despite financial restrictions.

Monchi's connection to the Championship is significant, as Espanyol's ownership group also owns Burnley, another Championship club. He believes the English second tier is one of the least understood competitions and an increasingly attractive source of talent. He cites Morgan Rogers as an example, who went on to become an England international and play for Chelsea after starting his career in the Championship.

For Espanyol, the Championship represents more than just a scouting opportunity. Spanish clubs operate under La Liga's squad-cost limits, while Premier League clubs have greater financial resources. Monchi emphasizes the need for intelligent recruitment to compensate for this spending disadvantage.

Monchi's experience at Aston Villa, where he admired the clear separation between the sporting and business sides, has influenced his approach at Espanyol. He also highlights the importance of adapting to new technologies, such as data and artificial intelligence, in the recruitment process. Monchi's ambition is to restore Espanyol to their former status as one of Spain's most important clubs, and he believes the Championship can help them achieve this goal by providing access to undiscovered talent.