In a detailed interview published by MARCA, Álex Valle argues that Como manager Cesc Fàbregas maintains an intense obsession with football while insisting that his players ultimately take to the pitch to enjoy the game.

Born in Badalona in 2004, the left-back has quietly built his professional career away from the intense spotlight of Barcelona, passing through Andorra, Levante, and Celtic before landing in Serie A with Como. Now established as a regular in David Gordo’s Spain under-21 squad ahead of the 2027 European Championship, Valle sat down with MARCA at the Las Rozas training camp to reflect on his turbulent yet rewarding journey.

“The boss always says that the full-back has to understand a bit of everything and read the game well to know what to do in each match: whether it’s more attacking, more defending… You have to be intelligent,” Valle told MARCA when describing Fàbregas’ tactical demands.

Life Under Cesc Fàbregas at Como

Valle joined Como midway through a challenging campaign when the club sat in the relegation zone, yet the team rattled off eight wins in ten matches to secure a tenth-place finish in Serie A. He credits Fàbregas and his coaching staff with instilling an ambitious, fearless mentality.

“Apart from that mentality he transmits to you, the desire to eat up the pitch, he knows how to communicate very well, which is a strong point of his,” Valle told MARCA.

He said that the former Spain midfielder remains actively involved in training sessions: “He has great ideas, and not just him, but his entire staff, who are very well prepared. He is the one in charge of transmitting them with videos, talks, on the pitch… He pushes hard, he’s intense. Sometimes he joins a rondo and enjoys it.”

Como’s remarkable rise recently included a historic 9-1 victory over Lens in the UEFA Champions League. Valle admitted that the lopsided scoreline left him in a state of shock on the pitch.

“We didn’t expect it. The Champions League is a gift, a prize that we have earned, and we are enjoying it,” Valle told MARCA, recalling how fast the goals arrived. “I was a bit in shock when the sixth, the seventh went in… It happened so fast. It was weird, but we were very happy. It’s something historic for us, I’m going to keep that shirt forever.”

Valle Chose Celtic to Secure Champions League Football

Before moving to Italy, Valle faced a critical crossroads during pre-season under Barcelona manager Hansi Flick. Although he felt comfortable playing at right-back during training sessions, the left side of Barcelona’s defense was blocked by Gerard Martín and Alejandro Balde.

“I had a very friendly and honest chat with Flick, and I had Celtic, the opportunity to play in the Champions League and go out again. I jumped in headfirst,” Valle told MARCA. Despite watching Barcelona manage injuries and defensive adjustments from afar, he harbors no regrets about leaving Catalunya.

His subsequent loan spell in Scotland presented an entirely different physical challenge under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic. Valle explained that the bruising nature of the Scottish Premiership forced him to adapt and absorb defensive midfield concepts that ultimately aided his tactical development.

“I had the opportunity to stay at Barça, but to this day I don’t regret anything, because there have been so many different things, so many stimuli, so many ways of living… with my girlfriend, my two dogs, living in Italy, enjoying life and football. I’m a fortunate guy,” Valle told MARCA.

Spain Under-21 Call-Up and Future Goals

With Spain’s senior left-back position currently anchored by Premier League and Bundesliga veterans like Marc Cucurella and Álex Grimaldo, Valle remains focused on his immediate duties with the under-21 team. Gordo’s squad opens its preparations in Almendralejo against Japan ahead of the qualifying cycle for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

When asked why he rarely captures headlines in the national sports media, Valle credited his manager and preferred to focus on collective success.

“Thanks to the coach, first of all. My dad mentioned it to me. I do my job and I think I’m doing it well this year, and that is reflected in the fact that I’m being called up,” Valle told MARCA. He added that the team boasts high-profile talents like Nico Paz, ensuring strong competition across the board.

Valle pointed to former Barcelona star Jordi Alba as his enduring positional benchmark, praising Alba’s tactical intelligence on the pitch.

“My reference was Jordi Alba, and I could say it is now too. I loved him because he’s super intelligent, and I had the luck to coincide with him in a few training sessions at the end of the season with Xavi and see him in person,” Valle told MARCA.

Spain’s under-21 side faces Japan in Almendralejo, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00 local time (CET) on Thursday, broadcast live on Teledeporte.