Tottenham Hotspur Loanee Alejo Veliz Shines at Espanyol, Nominated for La Liga Under-23 Player of the Month
Tottenham Hotspur’s Alejo Veliz, currently on loan at
is making waves in La Liga with a series of impressive performances. The 20-year-old Argentine striker, signed by Spurs from Rosario Central in 2023 for a reported £13 million, has been nominated for La Liga’s prestigious Under-23 Player of the Month award. The nomination places Veliz alongside notable talents, including Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal, Real Valladolid’s Raul Moro, Atletico Madrid’s Pablo Barrios, and Getafe’s Christantus Uche.
Veliz’s Path to Success
Veliz’s journey with Tottenham began with high hopes, but his initial spell in the Premier League was limited, with only eight competitive appearances. A brief loan stint at Sevilla in the second half of the 2023-2024 season did not provide him with sufficient game time, casting uncertainty over his development. However, his loan move to Espanyol has brought about a turning point. The young forward has started all four of Espanyol’s La Liga matches this season, scoring his first goal for the club in a dramatic victory over Real Vallecano.
Emotional First Goal
Veliz’s breakthrough came in Espanyol’s thrilling 2-1 win against Real Vallecano on August 31, 2024. Deep into injury time, with the scores level at 1-1, Veliz made a critical run up the pitch during a counter-attack. After an initial shot by teammate Irvin Cardona was saved, Walid Cheddira delivered a pass to Veliz. The Spurs loanee seized the opportunity, taking a touch before curling the ball over a defender and into the net. The goal sent the home crowd into jubilation and was a defining moment for the player, who had endured a challenging year in football.
Following the match, Veliz reflected on the emotional significance of the goal, telling reporters: “I had a year that honestly wasn’t great for me in terms of football. I just want to thank my family, my girlfriend who always supported me, the coaching staff for giving me the chance to come here and prove myself, and my teammates.”
La Liga Recognition
Veliz’s form has not gone unnoticed, as his nomination for La Liga’s Under-23 Player of the Month award demonstrates. Competing against some of Spain’s brightest young talents, his inclusion highlights the strides he has made since joining Espanyol. The award, which also features Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, underscores Veliz’s potential to become a key player in Spain’s top flight and possibly for Tottenham Hotspur in the future.
Spurs Fans Eager for His Return
Tottenham Hotspur fans are keeping a close eye on Veliz’s development, knowing his performances at Espanyol could have a major impact on his future at the club. With manager Ange Postecoglou focusing on rebuilding and injecting youthful energy into the Spurs squad, Veliz’s progress could offer the Australian coach plenty of reasons to consider integrating him into the first team next season.
For now, however, the spotlight remains on Veliz’s La Liga journey, where he continues to gain valuable experience and impress fans and pundits alike.
Veliz’s nomination for the La Liga Under-23 Player of the Month is a testament to his growing influence at Espanyol and a sign of things to come for Tottenham Hotspur’s exciting young prospect. Fans of both clubs will be watching closely to see how the rest of his season unfolds.
