Former Man City star puts call out to English players to join Marcus Rashford in La Liga

View 2 Images

Espanyol winger Tyrhys Dolan has called on more young footballers to make the move from England to Spain and follow Marcus Rashford 's footsteps. We’ve seen more and more English footballers look to break into first-team football by joining top European leagues over the past decade than ever before.

Spain’s top division, La Liga , has recently welcomed world renowned England internationals Jude Bellingham , Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rashford , who have achieved varying degrees of success there.

Another lesser known Englishman who decided to move to Spain is Dolan, who left Blackburn Rovers to join Espanyol on a free transfer last summer. The 24-year-old former Manchester City academy starlet, who came through the ranks with Cole Palmer, has had an impressive debut season for the Barcelona-based side.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

Dolan made 47 appearances for Blackburn last season but playing top flight football for Espanyol this term has provided a greater challenge, one he has fully risen to as his side looks to qualify for European football this season. And he hopes others can follow the example set by himself, Bellingham and Rashford to benefit their own careers.

When asked whether he thinks other English youngsters should join La Liga, Dolan said: "Definitely. Without a doubt. I'd say if you've got the opportunity to play in the top leagues abroad, then you should go for it.

"I think you've seen what it’s like. It's obviously not easy. Not everyone who has come from England to play in La Liga has hit the ground running but I just think what it can do for your career is amazing.

"Just in terms of learning and adding more tools to your trade. I think, for me, I've learned so much in maybe eight or nine months. I feel like I've learnt a lot football-wise and about myself. So yeah, without a doubt, I'd definitely say it's [worth doing] if you’ve got the opportunity to take it."

View 2 Images

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

He has managed four assists and a goal in 26 La Liga appearances this season. Meanwhile, Rashford has also enjoyed a stellar run of form, managing 13 goals and ten assists across all competitions, with Barcelona expected to make his loan deal permanent this summer.

Dolan went on to explain how adapting to a new league has helped improve his own game.

He said: "For me, it's little things like body positioning in terms of if players are attacking. I know I'm an attacker but that's a defensive role because we're such a hardworking team and just the positions I'm taking up on the pitch, like where to be when the ball's in a certain area, how to produce more of an end product and get more crosses in.

"There's been so many things because, when you step up a level, naturally you need to raise your game in all areas and the staff have been great working one-to-one with me and a lot of off-pitch conversations to do that.

"So yeah, there's a lot of aspects to the game and I feel like I'm understanding the game a lot more now. Hopefully I can keep doing more of that and the successes will come with it."