Ex-Man Utd star aiming for 'next Leicester' with football's surprise package
Daley Blind has played in four title-winning teams since leaving Manchester United - and is now helping Spanish minnows Girona in their quest to complete a fairytale that would rival Leicester ’s Premier League triumph.
Blind, 33, decided to quit Old Trafford to rejoin Ajax in 2018 after losing his place in the centre of Jose Mourinho ’s defence to Phil Jones. He helped the Amsterdam giants win a hat-trick of Eredivisie titles before a free transfer switch to Bayern Munich saw him lift the Bundesliga.
Earlier this year, the Dutchman moved to Girona, a sister club of Premier League champions Manchester City. And although the small club from the Catalan doorstep of mighty Barcelona only spent £20million on new players in the summer, their sensational 4-2 victory in the Non Camp last week sent them to the top of La Liga.
Blind, who lifted the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League during his time in Manchester, thinks the comparisons to Leicester’s Class of 2016 are valid. Blind said: “I understand the comparison. Leicester became champions in England as a total underdog. We are going for European football at least.
“This is not really a top club where I play now. If you see our dressing rooms, it is all old stuff. Around the stadium there is nothing, apart from a hastily-built hamburger stall. Such a club, in such an environment, has no stars."
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Girona’s masterclass in the Not Camp sent shockwaves throughout Spain - and lifted them to the summit ahead of traditional giants Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao. They are 47 percent owned by the City Football Group, which has interests in 12 other clubs around the globe.
Girona were seen as a talent factory when City’s Abu Dhabi owners decided to invest, with a 44 percent stake also held by a group led by Pep Guardiola ’s brother, Pere. They have taken La Liga by storm under coach Michel, a former Spanish international who enjoyed his best years as a player at Real Vallecano.
Girona entertain Alaves on Monday night. And Blind said: “We are not halfway through the season, so it’s too early to think about winning the league.
“But we are doing incredibly well and have at least now declared that we are going for the top European spots. I still think Real Madrid, Atlético and Barcelona have so much more budget, possibilities and experience.
“The road is still very long. It helps to stay nice and level-headed. We shouldn't put the pressure of a Leicester scenario on ourselves.”
Girona have won 13 of 16 La Liga matches, are top scorers in the division with 38 and have had 13 different players on the scoresheet. Blind added: “We are the most effective club in exploiting chances. When we attack, we do it all together.
“If you have enough people in and around the box, if a shot doesn't go in then you can also conquer the second ball and take out the counter. If that doesn't work, we are all prepared to sprint back 30, 40 or 50 metres. The real strength is the team and the dressing room.
“I think getting to the Europa League or Conference League would be something great for everyone. The worry that we are still going to get relegated still seems strong to me, so the club can enjoy to the full how things are going.”
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