
Key strength: Pace and recovery
Overlapping full-back
At 25 years old, José Salinas operates in the shadows of Espanyol's left-back hierarchy, serving as deputy to the established Carlos Romero. With the Catalan club sitting 6th in the standings, Salinas has made three appearances this season—totaling 180 minutes—providing valuable squad depth without troubling the scoresheet. His €2.8m market valuation reflects his potential as a modern overlapping full-back whose pace and recovery ability offer tactical flexibility. While Romero's superior rating of 68 keeps him first-choice, Salinas represents the dependable backup every promotion-chasing side requires. His disciplined record—zero cards in limited action—suggests a composed temperament. For Espanyol, maintaining their playoff push will require rotation, and Salinas stands ready to deputize whenever called upon.