Liverpool spell made Iago Aspas a meme in England, but exceptional Celta Vigo star is now LaLiga’s most important player

Liverpool spell made Iago Aspas a meme in England, but exceptional Celta Vigo star is now LaLiga’s most important player
For some people outside of Spain, Iago Aspas remains nothing more than a meme, a GIF of a badly taken corner from five years ago.A pity, because as he reaches the twilight of his career, the Galician is one of those few players it is always worth changing the channel to watch.4

Aspas is much, much more than the meme English football fans remember him as

He may just be LaLigas most important player at present; so pivotal, in fact, that he’s almost single-handedly deciding the outcome of the Spanish relegation battle.Aspas is exceptional. Exceptional enough that, despite playing for a team that has been scrapping it out around the drop zone since the turn of the year, and despite missing 11 of 34 rounds of fixtures, he is on course to finish as the top Spanish goalscorer in LaLiga for the third consecutive year.If he does win the Trofeo Zarra once again, he will become only the second player to do so more than twice in their career.The other is David Villa. Not exactly bad company to keep.4

Aspas has scored 16 league goals this season, despite missing 11 games

It is not an exaggeration to say that there are two Celtas these days. The Celta with Iago and the one without.The good Celta… and the awful Celta.When Aspas first got injured back on December 22, his goals and assists had propelled them to 10th in the table. Without him, during Aspas’ absence, Celta went on to win only one of five matches, tumbling all the way down to 18th.When he suffered a further setback things got truly catastrophic, and they couldnt win a single match in five further rounds.

If you are feeling down remember one of the greatest corners from our last title race all HAIL KING ASPAS #LFC #YNWA #LiverpoolFC pic.twitter.com/oYLzcbYBth— Amin Dib (@Aymoss_LFC) April 20, 2019

There was an element of self-fulfilling prophecy to it all without their talisman on the pitch, it felt like Celta had accepted defeat before a ball was kicked.Balaidos seemed to be waiting for the talisman to return, the league season apparently on pause.Except it wasnt as the matches ran down, the chances of escaping the drop did too.No one would envy the pressure on the 31-year-olds shoulders when he finally made his comeback against Villarreal at the end of March, but the evidence of how he reacted to it was conclusive. Celta won for the first time in six matches. Aspas scored his teams first and then the winner late in the game, before coming off to rest, his job done. Aspas breaking down into tears as he took his place on the bench is perhaps the most gripping image of the Spanish season.Special players dont just give sides a momentary lift, they continue to deliver, and Aspas’ return wasnt just a one-off bounce.In their playmakers first three games back, Celta picked up seven points from an available nine.When he missed a trip to Atltico Madrid through suspension, the Galicians lost.Of course.When he returned in a relegation six-pointer against Girona, they won.Of course.And he scored. And provided an assist. As day follows night, when Aspas is playing, Celta perform.When Celta took to the pitch in Barcelona against Espanyol on Wednesday night they did so not in the relegation zone, but aware that with four rounds to go and only a one-point cushion, taking something from the clash was absolutely vital.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Sheffield United vs Ipswich (Saturday, 5:15pm) talkSPORT 2
• Brighton vs Newcastle (Saturday, 5:30pm) talkSPORT
• Norwich vs Blackburn (Saturday, 7:30pm) talkSPORT 2
• Leeds United vs Aston Villa (Sunday, 12pm) talkSPORT 2
• Coventry vs Shrewsbury (Sunday, 3pm) talkSPORT 2

From the whistle the game plan was clear, the same as it always is now: get the ball to the number 10. A good plan it is too. Recent performances have created a fear around Aspas that is rare for players outside of the top clubs. The first ball that almost fell to him in the box caused a collective gasp from the Espanyol support.Seconds later he was dribbling, surging into the area again and drawing opponents before teeing up a teammate for a shot. A drop of a shoulder, a few step-overs to beat his man in a standing sprint, and he was off once more. Celta looked like they had signed an entire new team, so huge is the impact of one man on their confidence and emotional intelligence.‘Bloody Iago Aspas,’ muttered an Espanyol fan walking past the press area at half-time.4

Aspas has missed 11 matches this season – Celta have lost nine of them

The home team had drawn first blood through Wu Lei, but no one had any doubts over who could turn the game on its head. A guy who doesnt switch off for a second.The second half was a 20-minute rope-a-dope, Espanyol pounding away without success before Celtas own heavyweight sprung his trap. When a ball broke deep in the away half, wily old Aspas was alert. Off he went, driving up the pitch with a hunger more befitting of a youth player than a club legend who has nothing to prove.Attacking midfielder Oscar Melendo had been left to do the marking as Aspas cut in from the wing. The outcome was inevitable. Sucking in his man with his eyes, the 31-year-old opened up just enough space to pick out Maxi Gmez, unmarked, for the equaliser.

The remarkable feats of Iago Aspas

Aspas returned from a calf injury on March 30, and he's scored or assisted at least one goal in each of the five matches he has played since

• Celta 3-2 Villarreal (two goals)
• Huesca 3-3 Celta (one goal, two assists)
• Celta 3-1 Sociedad (two goals)
• Celta 2-1 Girona (one goal, one assist)
• Espanyol 1-1 Celta (one assist)

Maxi grinned from ear to ear, pointing knowingly at his accomplice; the striker had stopped scoring for two months without his companion around, but now hes back, with three in six.When Aspas was finally withdrawn in injury time it was to a resounding chorus of whistles and boos from the RCDE Stadium.It was the most noise the home fans had made all night; a true sign Aspas had really gotten under their skin, ruined their evening just as he did for Girona, Real Sociedad, Huesca and Villarreal.4

Espanyol became Aspas’ latest victim on Wednesday

The attackers personal tally now stands at six goals and five assists in five matches.In the middle of Celtas lowest moment last winter, Aspas rejected an offer to triple his salary and go to China. This month he instead extended his contract with Celta until 2023.Already an icon, perhaps their greatest ever player, there will inevitably be a statue of him outside of Balaidos one day.If Aspas can single-handedly save Celta from the drop this year, they may as well start building it now.

---

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford missed England training on Thursday ahead of the opening Euro 2020 qualifier against the Czech Republic. Rashford, the forward, is nursing an ankle injury that leaves him a slight concern for Friday evening's Wembley clash - which you can listen to LIVE on talkSPORT.
Rashford misses full England training | FOX Sports Asia

---

Jurgen Klopp has hailed Liverpool's development in European competition ahead of their Champions League quarter-final against Porto. The Reds, who beat their Portuguese opponents 5-0 on aggregate in the last-16 stage of last season's competition, are heavy favourites to go through this time around.
Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp hails Reds development in Europe

---

Expert warns young rugby players risk depression, memory loss and speech problems things and says all people are dealing with mental health issues to discover they have been mispronouncing
NBA mental health a growing concern as 'a lot of players are

---

Tottenham vs Liverpool line-ups: Champions League Final 2019 confirmed team news and starting XIs I would like to receive news and stats from the Premier League, twice a week,
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview: Probable Lineups

---

England captain Harry Kane is looking forward to seeing the added "flair and flexibility" brought to the squad by newcomer Callum Hudson-Odoi. The 18-year-old Chelsea winger was promoted from
England captain Harry Kane excited by inclusion Callum Hudson

---

Paris Saint-Germain's Qatari owners have been urged to help fund the rebuilding of Notre Dame cathedral after Monday's fire. L'Equipe journalist Erik Bielderman believes the club should put their support behind the project and help in the restoration of one of the capital's most famous landmarks.
How To Buy cheap Juventus Jersey Australia - anewscafe.com

---

I'm A Celebrity star Harry Redknapp's best moments, involving Prince Harry, Frank Lampard and a West Ham fan. A lucky day for Steve the West Ham fan.
I'm A Celebrity star Harry Redknapp's best moments, involving

---

RED CARD - Troy Deeney. Watford 0-1 Arsenal. Captain Troy Deeney has been sent off for an elbow on Lucas Torreira, Troy Deeney to bully Arsenal again? #Cojones. Article Reactions. Like.

---

Liverpool transfer news LIVE - Matthijs de Ligt makes Premier League decision, Reds enter Bruno… Liverpool Echo 07:41 7-Jun-19 Pellegrini target speaks out on future after being linked with £22.5m West Ham switch Hammers News (Weblog) 07:36 7-Jun-19
Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke wanted by Galatasaray after

---

Vincent Kompany was wanted by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester

---

Liverpool are having same problems Man Utd faced: Rio Ferdinand reveals Jurgen Klopp issue LIVERPOOL are a 'little but uptight' and playing with the 'handbrake on', according to Manchester
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand makes two bold claims

---

Harry Kane injury: Tottenham striker set to return to training earlier than expected after ankle problem. "He is doing well and we hope by next week he will be training on the pitch, still
Tottenham news: Harry Kane back in training on return from

---

The three lions will not take unnecessary risks which in turn could hamper Manchester United's remainder part of the season. Gareth Southgate is left with a huge call to make on Marcus Rashford's availability for the forthcoming game as the Red Devils will be left fuming if he faces an issue in the same area.
Manchester United news and transfers RECAP Mason Greenwood

---

live streaming video football afc asian champions league
football live streaming free app
premier league games live streaming free
champions league live streaming sportek
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
indian premier league youtube live streaming
kerala premier league live streaming
premier league live streaming football
live premier league streaming ps4
champions league draw live stream uefa
champions league final live streaming india
final champions league live streaming
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming free
premier league live streaming usa free
espn uefa champions league live streaming
uefa champions league live streaming youtube uk
football live streaming sky sports
champions hockey league live streaming
champions league live streaming free english
football live streaming free uk
free live premier league football streaming online
football live stream extension
football live streaming hotstar
premier league live stream games
champions league live streaming ru
paok aek champions league live streaming
barcelona psv champions league live streaming
watch champions league online free live streaming hd
champions league draw live streaming video
premier league live stream facebook
uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
indian premier league 2018 ipl t20 live streaming
champions league live streaming usa
football live streaming brazil
live streaming champions league group stage draw
premier league live streaming ronaldo 7
castle lager premier league live streaming
champions league live streaming app
live football streaming joker stream
football live streaming maruzi tv
champions league live stream xfinity
champions league live streaming real madrid vs bayern munich
football live streaming cr7
champions league live stream app android
premier league live stream everton
champions league live streaming gratis
premier league live streaming apk
best site for streaming live premier league football
premier league live stream epl
football live streaming website
live football streaming hd app
premier league free live stream vipbox
barclays premier league live streaming sky sports free
canadian premier league live streaming
caf champions league live streaming free
dhaka premier league live streaming 2019
football live streaming sites twitter
football live streaming barcelona
football live streaming england vs croatia
football live streaming barcelona vs manchester united
kenya premier league live streaming
live streaming bein sport 3 premier league hd
premier league live streaming now
man utd vs psg champions league live streaming
champions league live stream kostenlos ru
champions league today's match live streaming
football l
champions league live streaming ten sports
best free live streaming sites champions league
madhya premier league live streaming
champions league final live stream greece
premier league live streaming india free
barcelona vs liverpool champions league live streaming
egypt premier league live streaming
champions league live streaming sports
premier league live stream chromecast
champions league live streaming sites
premier league live stream app iphone
liverpool psg champions league live streaming
uefa champions league live streaming youtube bt sport
champions league live streaming juventus ajax
liverpool vs manchester city champions league live streaming
premier league free live streaming hd
est vs ess streaming live football caf champions league
reddit premier league live streaming
tamil nadu premier league 2018 live streaming
uefa champions league live streaming barcelona vs psg
dhangadhi premier league 2018 live streaming
juventus tottenham champions league live streaming
mumbai premier league 2019 live streaming
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming
football live streaming sites quora
premier league live streaming free manchester united
champions league live stream konferenz free
dhangadhi premier league 2 live streaming
premier league live net stream channel
premier league live stream neo
where to watch premier league live streaming
karnataka premier league live streaming channels
live streaming of uefa champions league draw
philippine collegiate champions league live streaming
sky sports premier league live streaming free
indian premier league 2019 live streaming live score and match highlights
football live streaming free in uae
premier league live stream southampton
premier league live streaming indonesia
champions league live streaming channels in india
uefa champions league live streaming ten sports
champions league live streaming real madrid vs bayern munich free
champions league final live streaming ten sports
bangladesh premier league live streaming gtv
barclays premier league live streaming online free no sign up
indian premier league live streaming
football premier league live streaming
football live streaming bein
international champions league live streaming
ajax aek champions league live streaming
champions league live streaming totalsportek
live streaming premier league hari ini
mumbai premier league live streaming channels
european champions league live streaming free
barcelona psg champions league live streaming
tamil nadu premier league live streaming online
pokhara premier league live streaming
football live streaming hd
premier league live streaming youtube
premier league live stream man utd
barcelona liverpool champions league live streaming
epl live streaming hotstar
football live streaming japan
football live streaming app download
uefa champions league live streaming uae
live football streaming juventus vs real madrid
premier league darts live stream youtube
#durhamregion #Instagood #espndeportes #europaleague #juventus #beinsports #england #Futbol #Chelsea #realmadrid #degea #amsterdam #Cr7 #deporte #hakimziyech #pickering #likeforlikes #sports #manchester #likeforlike #Neymar #pogba #navas #Messi #mufc #foxsports #manchestercity #premierleague #ajaxamsterdam #nike #ajax #433 #salah #futbol #bundesliga #CristianoRonaldo #ChampionsLeague #Barcelona #zinedinezidane #footy #manutd #goals #Ronaldo #LeoMessi #fcbarcelona #footballmemes #soccer #Like4Like #ronaldo #UCL #courtois #Rooney #foxdeportes #likes4likes #barcelona #toronto #ucl #realmadrid #transfers #halamadrid #sanchez #Football #football #BayernMunchen #news #championsleague #amrabat #united #Bale #messi #tottenham #univisiondeportes #Soccer