Tyrhys Dolan reveals difficulty despite move to Espanyol being ‘no brainer’ after Blackburn Rovers exit

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Tyrhys Dolan opted to leave Blackburn Rovers this summer after five years with the club to join Spanish club Espanyol.

Fans let their opinions be known about Dolan’s decision to leave Blackburn to join Espanyol this summer on a free contract.

Blackburn managed to get the perfect replacement for Dolan in the summer, according to Valerien Ismael, despite the English winger being one of Rovers’ most creative talents from the previous few seasons.

Dolan had been offered a contract to remain at Blackburn beyond this summer, yet obviously we know that he chose not to sign, as he has ended up in Spain; however, he has now opened up about his personal difficulty in leaving England.

• READ MORE: ‘Phenomenal’ Tyrhys Dolan likened to two Barcelona legends after Blackburn exit

Tyrhys Dolan found it difficult to join Espanyol due to his friend Jeremy Wisten

Tyrhys Dolan has opened up about his move to Espanyol with the Guardian, with much of the interview focusing on how Jeremy Wisten has helped shape his career.

Dolan lost Wisten when he was only 18, with the pair growing up together before the sad death of his friend.

It took Dolan some convincing from his friends to ensure this opportunity to move to Barcelona to play for Espanyol did not pass him by.

He said: “When Espanyol called, they were like: ‘Get your bags packed. We’ll miss you but, click a finger, you need us, we’re there.’ I needed that.

“There was one thing, though: Jeremy’s cemetery. I go every Sunday. I felt I was leaving him. He would have told me himself: get on the plane and go; this is La Liga. But I was thinking: ‘Who’s going to take flowers? Who’s going to go?’ My boys were like: ‘We’ll cover that, we’ll clean the headstone, we’ll take flowers.’

“It brought me to tears. I’m 23, still young, but I needed to take steps. Espanyol was a no-brainer. I don’t know how many have made that step from the Championship.”

• READ MORE: Callum Brittain reveals the truth behind his transfer from Blackburn Rovers to Middlesbrough

Tyrhys Dolan spoke about the difference between Blackburn and Espanyol

The English attacker had been one of the most exciting talents in the Championship for several seasons, despite never having a standout campaign to earn him a big move.

However, Dolan will not mind that now that he is preparing to face Real Madrid in La Liga this weekend.

Dolan has now pointed out the major difference between Blackburn Rovers and Espanyol.

He said: “To be truly honest, that first week training, I thought, ‘Pfff, this is …’

“I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want them to worry, but I was like: ‘Am I up to this?’ Genuinely. The standard was … honestly, it was unbelievable. But I love that. It’s a wake-up call: you wanted this; raise your game.”