Former Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba has credited Unai Emery as one of the biggest influences on his decorated career.
The Aston Villa manager got his first taste of top-level management at Valencia in 2008, where he worked with a talented squad that included David Silva, Juan Mata, and David Villa. Alba, then an emerging prospect, broke into the first team during Emery's second season in charge of Los Che. However, he did so in a position different from the one he had played throughout the club's youth system.
From Winger to Full-Back
Speaking on the El Camino de Mario podcast, Alba said: "I was twenty years old and [David] Villa was an idol in Valencia. Emery told me, 'Come join the first team.' I had other offers from the second and first divisions, but Emery insisted a lot. I did pre-season, it went well, and although I went a while without playing, in a Europa League match against Werder Bremen, we were down to 10 men."
"I was warming up at halftime and the fitness coach, Pako Ayestaran, told me, 'You're going in,' and I said, 'Great,' and then he said, 'At full-back.' So, for me it was a moment of not knowing what to do, it was a new position for me."
Initial Reluctance
"At first, I didn't take it very well; when you're a kid you make mistakes. What I didn't know was that Emery was doing me a favour for the entire career I've had. Without that change of position, I wouldn't have had the career I had. I started playing, I was heavily criticised, but Emery continued to believe in me, and I'm still grateful to him for that today. And we remember because in the training sessions before, when I was trying out, I didn't want to play as a full-back. And I didn't take it very well."
"Thanks to Emery, I've had the career I've had. He's one of the best coaches in the world, without a doubt."
Alba went on to win numerous titles with Barcelona, including multiple La Liga and Champions League trophies, before moving to Inter Miami. His gratitude towards Emery underscores the pivotal role the Spanish manager played in his development.
