RCD Espanyol closed the 2025-26 season with the goal of ensuring permanence in the First Division, but also with the feeling that the team needs to take a step forward in attack to grow in the new campaign. And in that scenario, one of the names marked in red by the club is Javi Puado. The blanquiazul captain is called to be a differential piece again after a course very conditioned by injuries. The past season was not easy for the Catalan striker. Puado dragged several physical problems that prevented him from having continuity and kept him away from the playing field during different phases of the championship. The physical setbacks slowed down the competitive pace of one of the most important players in the squad, something that RCD Espanyol noticed especially in the moments when they needed offensive imbalance the most. However, the club never doubted his importance. In fact, last summer RCD Espanyol bet heavily on his continuity and announced his renewal until 2030. The blanquiazul entity thus shielded one of its benchmarks, formed in the perica quarry and converted into captain of the first team, in an operation that was understood as strategic for the present and future of the project. Puado has been one of the most determining footballers of RCD Espanyol for years due to his ability to mark differences near the area, his mobility and his leadership within the dressing room. That's why the next season presents itself as an opportunity for Puado to regain the protagonism that injuries prevented him from achieving during most of the past season. For Manolo González, having a healthy Puado means automatically raising the level of the squad. The coach needs players capable of deciding games and taking on offensive responsibilities, and the captain fits perfectly into that profile. Additionally, his experience in the club and his knowledge of the environment make him a fundamental footballer also in the emotional and competitive aspect. The challenge now is clear: to leave behind a course marked by physical problems and to see that decisive Puado again who has pulled the team so many times. If he manages to chain continuity and recover sensations, RCD Espanyol will have a lot to gain in a season where the goal will no longer be just to suffer to save themselves, but to compete with more ambition in the First Division. RCD Espanyol is working to improve its attack and Puado is a key piece in that process. With his renewal until 2030, the club has demonstrated its commitment to the player and his importance to the project. Now, Puado must work to recover his level and help the team achieve its objectives. The next season will be crucial for RCD Espanyol and Puado is one of the players who can make a difference. The team needs to improve its attack and Puado is one of the most promising options. With his experience and skill, he can be a key player for RCD Espanyol in the next season.