Tyrhys Dolan opened the LaLiga campaign with a bang, finding the net in Espanyol's convincing 3-0 victory over Levante. The English striker looked fresher, quicker, and more confident than ever before, hinting that something fundamental has shifted in his game. "I am not the person or player I was a year ago," Dolan told Sky Sports, emphasizing the personal and professional growth he has experienced since arriving in Spain. His debut season in Spanish football, after departing the Championship side Blackburn Rovers, was a mixed bag of highs and learning moments.
He had the chance to line up against giants such as Real Madrid and Barcelona, experiences that offered a valuable education in the demands of top‑flight football. Yet Dolan believes the real breakthrough is still to come.
"I know the league now. I know myself a lot more.
I know what I can do," he explained, underscoring his newfound self‑awareness. Last term, Dolby spent the majority of his minutes on the right flank, often hugging the touchline and acting primarily as a provider. "Pretty much on the touchline, hanging wide," he recalled. His role was to deliver crosses, and his statistics reflected that emphasis: his assist tally outshone his goal count.
While the experience broadened his skill set, it also highlighted the limitations of being confined to a purely wide‑wing role. This season, however, Dolan has been switched to the left wing, a move that has instantly unlocked fresh attacking possibilities. "For me, it is better because I can cut inside and get more shots off. I can be more dangerous as a left winger," he said, describing how the positional shift allows him to cut in on his stronger foot and pose a direct goal threat.
He enjoys the tactical dilemma this creates for defenders: "Which way is he going to go? Is he going to take it and put across? Is he going to have a shot?" The change has already borne fruit, as evidenced by his opening‑day goal, and he believes it will lead to even more contributions.
"There are more avenues to my game now," he added. At 24, Dolan's enthusiasm for the challenge ahead is palpable.
Espanyol's previous campaign began brightly but quickly deteriorated, turning a promising European‑qualification push into a frightening relegation battle. The team's morale suffered, and the atmosphere around the stadium grew tense.
"You'd be lying if you said you didn't feel the energy drop in the stadium. We just don't want a repeat of that," Dolan warned, noting that the recent win over Levante felt like a turning point, reviving the optimism that had been missing. The summer break proved restorative for the young forward. Time away from the rigors of training allowed him to reconnect with family and friends, a vital reset for a player living alone in Barcelona.
"Mentally, you need that switch‑off. Throughout the season you're constantly preparing, dealing with emotions, good or bad," he reflected.
He quoted the old saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder," to describe how his parents' presence at every pre‑season match in England lifted his spirits. Yet he also confessed that he missed the rhythm of life in Barcelona.
"Being in Barcelona means being in work mode. As an athlete you love that environment, and you start missing it when you're away for too long," he said.
Dolan believes his performance against Levante was a perfect launchpad. "It was the perfect way to start. It rewards the hard work, boosts confidence for the team and for me," he said, but he knows bigger tests lie ahead. Espanyol's next big fixture pits them against Real Madrid, the 36‑time Spanish champions, in what will be the first LaLiga encounter of the season for the Merengues.
The match also marks the return of José Mourinho to the dugout and the presence of Kylian Mbappé, a player Dolan described as the toughest opponent he faced last season. He described his first meeting with Madrid as a "pinch‑me moment". Now, while the excitement remains, he approaches the game with a calmer mindset.
"I’m not worried whether the right‑back will be Trent Alexander‑Arnold or Denzil Dumfries. Anybody. These are the games you want to test yourself against the best, to see where you stand," he remarked.
Dolan feels his own standards have risen: "I was happy with what I did in my first season, but I know it’s nowhere near what I know I can do." Looking forward, Dolan hopes to showcase his evolution on the biggest stages, perhaps even recreating his signature somersault celebration against the world’s most famous club. "I feel I can give more for this team, for the club, for the supporters," he affirmed, eager to prove that the player who stepped onto the pitch a year ago has transformed into a more complete, confident, and threatening attacker.
In summary, Tyrhys Dolan is determined to make his mark this season, leveraging his new left‑wing role, renewed mental focus, and the lessons learned from his first Spanish campaign. As Espanyol aim to climb out of the shadow of last year’s struggles, Dolan’s growth could be a key factor in restoring the club’s ambitions and delighting its fanbase.