Patxi Salinas Praises New Celta Signing Álvaro Núñez

omidbasir- Patxi Salinas, a renowned figure in the history of Celta and Athletic, and currently serving as the national team coach and vice president of the Legends of Spain, has a deep understanding of Álvaro Núñez, the latest signing for Celta, having previously coached him in the youth ranks at Athletic.

Reflecting on that period, Salinas noted, “I had him for nearly three years. I was quite surprised by his transfer to Celta, as I had no idea they were looking to sign a player, let alone Álvaro. He was at Elche, and I thought he would remain there. Given his footballing abilities, however, I wasn’t shocked.”

He expressed his delight at Núñez’s move, stating, “As soon as he signed, I sent him a message telling him he was heading to a fantastic city. It truly excites me to see players from Athletic come to my home, my land, and my club, such as Celta. I hope he can achieve great success here.”

Salinas described Núñez’s playing style, saying, “He has characteristics that align perfectly with Claudio’s system. He is very similar to Mingueza; offensively, he excels, and he fits well in a three-defender setup.”

Furthermore, he emphasized Núñez’s versatility, explaining, “He is a player with extensive capabilities. A four-man defense may not suit him as well since he tends to venture forward, which can compromise defensive duties. In a three-man defense, he can play as either a right or left center-back, or on either wing, similar to Carreira or Mingueza. He is comfortable driving the ball down either side and possesses a strong cut-in from the left. He is a very complete player, young, and an exceptional individual. He will provide Claudio with many valuable options in any positions where there may be weaknesses. I truly hope he finds success, as he deserves it.”