Friday 18 September 2015 10:45, UK
Former Liverpool forward Iago Aspas has had a fine start to the season back at Celta Vigo, writes Adam Bate.
On his return to Celta Vigo last month, Iago Aspas was able to do what he couldn't in his 14 Premier League games for Liverpool. He scored a goal. After an interim season at Sevilla, Aspas is back at Celta and enjoying life. Only Barcelona and Real Madrid go into the weekend above them in the table.
In fact, the Galician side would be top if they'd held onto a two-goal lead against newly-promoted Las Palmas last weekend. Even so, it's been a positive start for Aspas - winning a penalty and providing an assist in that 3-3 draw. He's reminding everyone of his capabilities.
Not that they need reminding at Celta. Aspas starred in the club's 2011/12 promotion-winning season - scoring 23 goals to fire them into La Liga and bagging another dozen in the top flight to help keep the club in the division. They love him in Vigo.
Liverpool supporters were excited enough about his potential themselves when he arrived at Anfield in 2013. His pre-season efforts suggested that he'd quickly build on the goals he'd scored in the preceding two years at Celta. Brendan Rodgers was impressed.
"He's not always easy on the eye but when you actually monitor how efficient Iago is, he's an incredibly effective player," said Rodgers. "The idea was that Aspas would give another dimension to our attacking play and he's done that. He creates goals and scores goals."
Jamie Carragher was an admirer too, highlighting his "unselfish work" but, ultimately, Aspas's most noteworthy contribution was a woeful corner in that defeat to Chelsea that seemed to sum up the hopelessness of their situation and the disappointment of his season.
Loaned out to Sevilla with an obligation to buy, he had his moments in Andalusia - including an astonishing four-minute hat-trick in the Copa del Rey, a competition in which he finished as the top scorer with seven goals in five games. But once more, a regular start eluded him.
Chances were limited and the relationship with Sevilla coach Unai Emery was strained. His total of 10 goals inside 1000 minutes of game time was impressive but also reflected his lack of opportunity. Sevilla duly completed the permanent deal but soon offloaded him to Celta.
And so, at the age of 28, Aspas has returned to the club he loves, admitting that he's learned about the "hardness" of football over the past two years and needs to "gain confidence" after the "difficult times" at both Liverpool and Sevilla.
Pedro Posada, Celta's vice-president, ramped up the sentiment too. "He has noticed that there is no place like home. I believe that the whole Celta family should feel as proud as we are. We have been sensitive to the clamour of the fans and Iago Aspas is back with us."
He's feeling at home - "I knew many colleagues from my previous spell and that's made it very easy" - and feeling wanted. With Aspas able to play as a No 9 or support striker, coach 'Toto' Berizzo has enthused about his flexibility. In the end, it was a simple decision to return.
It was easier to follow the clubs with the contracts, make money and sit at home, but I enjoy football.
"It was easier to follow the clubs with the contracts, make money and sit at home, but I enjoy football," he said. "I like to play. And so, although there were other options, what better than to return home? I always said that the Celta was my first choice and I'm here."
Celta have improved in the two years he has been away too. Aspas acknowledges that he's returning to a "different" club that's taken a "big step" while he was away. "Celta is clearly on the up. Others now respect Celta outside of Vigo."
They've little choice. Celta finished eighth last season and, bolstered by the returning hero, made a perfect start to 2015/16 thanks to Aspas's late winner at Levante. A 3-0 win over Rayo Vallecano followed and, against the odds, hopes are rising.
Proving that football clichés know no border, Aspas has stressed that 40 points is the first target but the true ambitions are rather greater. "The aim is to try to help my team-mates strive for greater heights. Why not dream of Europe?"
That will be some challenge and if Celta are to manage it they'll need to pick up results against the likes of Sevilla, who they visit in the early kick-off on Sunday. For Aspas, it's a chance to show his old club - and Emery - that it was a mistake to move him on.
He's already made one successful return already this season. A goal in Seville won't be as appreciated by the home fans as his opening efforts for Celta, but it would hammer home the point that Iago Aspas is back to his best.
Watch Sevilla v Celta Vigo live on Sky Sports 3 HD from 10.55am on Sunday
