Miguel Rodríguez, Alavés: earns minutes push and signs to 2031

Miguel Rodríguez, at Alavés, is treating the international break like an extra pre-season to earn more minutes, after starting the league season with only 11 minutes played across three matches. MARCA reports that he’s using these three weeks off to adapt to the style of Quique Sánchez Flores.

The Celta youth player has struggled to fit into the 5-3-2 system Quique used for most of the season. With Alavés defending with five, his attacking role as the game develops doesn’t come as naturally as for other options, and in four other league games he watched the full match from the bench.

His path to more involvement is linked to changes in shape: when Quique shifts to a 4-4-2, Rodríguez can operate as a pure winger. Still, roles as a second striker or as the most advanced midfielder look tougher given Mariano, Lucas Boyé and Toni Martínez are performing.