Hugo Guillamón’s revival at Hajduk Split after Valencia ordeal | OneFootball

Hugo Guillamón has rebooted his career in Croatia with Hajduk Split after a bruising end at Valencia. According to Superdeporte, more than half a season on, the move already looks the right call.

The L'Eliana native first caught the eye when José Bordalás used him in midfield for his tactical reading and ability to knit play. His time at his boyhood club fizzled out, his confidence shot and his exit unheralded.

He chose an unusual route, a quieter league and a fresh environment to start again. Hajduk opened the door and he stepped through, leaving his comfort zone by design.

Now he runs their midfield for the Uruguayan coach Gonzalo García. He has started seven straight matches, five of them wins. Restored to the side after a three-game winless spell, Hajduk have since suffered only two setbacks and surged through the league.

They sit second, hunting Dinamo Zagreb, the standard to beat in Croatia, and are many points clear of third-placed Rijeka.

Guillamón averages almost 40 passes per match at 87 per cent accuracy, and wins 60 per cent of his ground duels. His positioning buys him time and lets him arrive first despite lacking top-end pace, and he uses the ball with calm.

This new chapter has brought back his smile after hard years at a drifting Valencia, too often mired in survival fights under Peter Lim.

Source: Superdeporte