Carlos Espi: Real Madrid's 'Little' Joselu

Carlos Espi's celebration for his dramatic goal against Espanyol was not just a fleeting moment, as the young striker went straight to José Mourinho after scoring the winning goal for Real Madrid in the 90th minute, before embracing his coach amid the team's celebrations.

Espi arrived at Real Madrid to provide this type of solution, as his style relies on movement within the penalty area and capitalizing on the few opportunities available to him to score goals. In his first official appearance, the player needed only one ball inside the area to leave his mark and secure victory for his team.

Espi said after the match: "I am the happiest person in the world right now, because of the three points and because I was able to help. When I saw the ball, I thought: I can't believe it came to me." His words came after a month that saw a significant change in his career.

Carlos Espi is 21 years old and stands at 1.94 meters tall, having spent a significant part of last season away from the spotlight at Levante. However, he began to emerge in the middle of the season, with goals and performances that caught attention for his abilities.

Espi's transfer to Real Madrid comes after Gonzalo Garcia's departure to Fulham, as Mourinho sought a striker capable of holding off defenders, excelling in aerial duels, moving into spaces, and providing a different solution inside the penalty area. The club has found its answer in the young forward.

The player was close to a move to the English Premier League, with Hull City and Brighton expressing interest in signing him. However, Real Madrid acted quickly to finalize the transfer.

Espi is currently living in Valdebebas alongside Mourinho and members of the coaching staff, including Marc Cucurella, while searching for a home in Madrid. This arrangement has allowed the Portuguese coach to get to know the player better.

Mourinho spoke about Espi: "He is a very enjoyable boy. We live together in Valdebebas, having breakfast, lunch, and dinner together." He added: "He is living a dream, but he doesn't act like he’s living on the moon; he works very hard."

Mourinho praised the abilities of his young striker, affirming that he is a special player capable of holding the ball and involving his teammates in the game. He noted that the coaching staff considered several names after Gonzalo's departure before settling on the signing of Espi.

Thibaut Courtois described his new teammate as a "beast," stating that watching him compete against defenders like Konaté and Rüdiger during training is impressive. He emphasized that the player possesses strength and talent, bringing a different quality that was previously lacking in the team.

Courtois added: "We call him little Joselu. He comes in for situations like this, and when he scores a goal that gives us the win, we are very happy for him."

Espi does not rely solely on his physical strength; he also possesses speed in open spaces and the ability to read movements inside the penalty area. He does not need to touch the ball continuously to influence the match, having demonstrated in his debut that a single opportunity can be enough to make a difference.