Tyrhys Dolan announced his arrival in LaLiga with a bang, finding the net in Espanyol's convincing 3-0 victory over Levante. The English attacker seemed sharper than ever, hinting that something fundamental has shifted in his game. "I am not the person or player I was a year ago," he told Sky Sports, underscoring a newfound confidence.

Having arrived in Spain after a stint with Championship side Blackburn Rovers, Dolan's debut season featured moments that many young English players only dream of – he faced the might of Real Madrid and Barcelona within months of his arrival. Yet he insists this is merely the beginning.

"I know the league now, I understand myself a lot better, and I know what I’m capable of," he explained. The reason behind his optimism is rooted in the role he played last campaign.

Throughout most of the season Dolan operated on the right flank, essentially hugging the touchline and acting as a traditional winger whose primary duty was to deliver crosses. His statistics reflected that emphasis: he recorded more assists than goals, a clear sign that his contribution was measured more by service than by finishing. That period on the right wing was, in his view, a valuable learning curve that broadened his skill set. This summer, however, the coach repositioned him to the left side of the attack, a change that immediately opened up new possibilities.

"Playing on the left is better for me because I can cut inside and get more shots off. I become a bigger threat when I can drive toward the middle," Dolan said. He likes to picture the dilemma he creates for defenders: "Do they stay wide and try to cross, or do they step inside and give me space to shoot?" The switch has already paid dividends, as evidenced by his goal against Levante, and he believes it will continue to generate opportunities. "There are more avenues to my game now," he added.

At 24, Dolan's enthusiasm is contagious. Last season, Espanyol endured a roller‑coaster ride – a promising start that saw them chasing European qualification in the winter gave way to a frightening slide toward the relegation zone by spring.

The downturn was stark, and the atmosphere around the club grew tense. "You’d be lying if you said you didn’t feel the energy in the stadium dip," he recalled. "We don’t want a repeat of that.

The big win over Levante felt like a turning point – the buzz came back, and suddenly we were back on track." The summer break also offered Dolan a chance to recharge personally. Living alone in Barcelona can be isolating, so he spent valuable time with family and friends back home. "Mentally you need that reset. During the season you’re constantly preparing, dealing with emotions, good and bad," he noted.

He quoted the old saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder," to describe how the time away deepened his appreciation for his support network. Espanyol’s pre‑season training camp in England turned out to be a morale booster. "My mum and dad attended every match," Dolan said, smiling.

Yet he also missed the rhythm of life in Barcelona. "Being in Barcelona puts me in work mode. As an athlete you love that environment, and you start missing it when you’re away for too long," he admitted. Back on the pitch, Dolan feels his performance against Levante was a perfect launchpad.

"It was the ideal way to start the campaign – a reward for the hard work we put in, a confidence boost for the squad and for me personally," he said. He knows bigger challenges lie ahead.

Espanyol’s next fixture pits them against Real Madrid, the 36‑time Spanish champions, on Saturday evening. It will be the first LaLiga meeting of the season for the Madrid side under José Mourinho, and Dolan anticipates a showdown with some of the world’s best talent, including Kylian Mbappé, whom he described as the toughest opponent he faced last season. He called his first encounter with Madrid a "pinch‑me moment". This time, however, he approaches the match with a cooler head.

Whether he is up against Trent Alexander‑Arnold or Denzil Dumfries at right‑back does not faze him. "Anyone – these are the games you want to test yourself against the best, to see where you stand," he said. Dolan believes his own standards have risen. "I was happy with what I did in my first season, but I know I’m capable of much more," he asserted.

The upcoming clash offers a platform to showcase his growth, perhaps even to replicate his trademark somersault celebration in front of the world’s most famous club. In summary, Tyrhys Dolan is no longer the winger who arrived in Spain a year ago. He has refined his positional sense, added a goal‑scoring edge, and returned to the club with renewed mental clarity after a restorative summer. The upcoming fixtures – especially the high‑profile duel with Real Madrid – will test whether his evolution translates into consistent impact on the biggest stages.

If he can continue to blend his crossing ability with the newfound cutting‑inside threat, Espanyol could count on a more versatile and dangerous attacking option for the remainder of the season.