Roberto Fernández sends Espanyol message: “I’ll stay the same whether I’m worth 100 or 2 million”

Roberto Fernández Jaén has made his childhood dream come true by debuting for Spain’s senior national team. The 23-year-old from Puente Genil has gone from a promising Espanyol bet to one of the standout names in the Spanish league, with six goals across his last eight appearances. His international breakthrough has also raised his release clause from 25 to 30 million euros and put Premier League and Bundesliga clubs on alert.

• The forward made his senior Spain debut under Luis de la Fuente, triggering a release clause rise to 30 million euros.
• He has scored six goals in the last eight league rounds, silencing critics from a difficult previous campaign.
• Roberto insists neither he nor his agents will push for a move: Espanyol will make the final call.
• Fernando Torres remains a personal idol, and he hopes to meet the former striker one day.
• His immediate goal is to push Espanyol back into European competition.

A debut with the world champions he will never forget

A week after returning from Spain duty, Roberto Fernández is still buzzing. He rates the whole experience as a ten out of ten and highlights the quality of the group led by Luis de la Fuente, both on a human and football level. Of course, he went through the traditional initiation: he had to stand on a chair and sing in front of the whole squad, though his teammates surprised him by joining in the rhythm.

The group is spectacular, the training sessions, the staff... I come back very happy after learning a lot from them.

De la Fuente earns praise from the Espanyol forward

Roberto fully agrees with Santi Denia, who described Luis de la Fuente as the best coach in the world after his debut. The striker highlights De la Fuente’s ability to explain concepts, manage the dressing room and tell players things to their faces. He was particularly struck by the coach’s closeness and the conversations they shared during his time at the national team camp.

The international call-up has also had a tangible effect on his contract. With the clause now set at 30 million euros, the forward says he is aware of what it means but refuses to change his approach. He brings the same natural attitude he showed through the tough moments of last season.

From criticism to recognition: the rise of a LaLiga goalscorer

Last season he was singled out by a large section of the Espanyol fanbase, despite ending as the player with the most direct offensive contributions in the squad. Roberto admits things did not go as expected and that, as a striker, criticism comes with the job when the goals dry up. His answer was to start working earlier than anyone else: he began his pre-season preparation ahead of schedule and placed a special focus on the mental side.

Now he is enjoying the reward. Six goals in eight matches are the best evidence of that, although he knows football changes quickly and praise can turn to criticism just as fast. Those closest to him have told him not to get carried away by either side and to remain true to the identity that brought him here.

The market is knocking: higher clause and clubs on alert

With Premier League and Bundesliga clubs monitoring his progress, Roberto Fernández has a clear message. He has no intention of forcing an exit or asking Espanyol to listen to offers. He feels deep gratitude toward the club that rescued him when things were not going well in Portugal.

Neither I nor my agents have wanted to pressure or value anything. The club decides.

Manolo González joked that if he keeps up his scoring rate, he could end up at Manchester City. The striker plays down that talk and focuses on the collective. Still, his ambition is obvious: he wants to remain in the national team picture and take Espanyol back into Europe.

Fernando Torres, a personal idol, and the test against Atlético

Atlético Madrid visit the RCDE Stadium on Saturday. It will be a special date for the striker, who grew up admiring Fernando Torres. As a kid, he wore his hair long and blond like the Atlético legend, and he still keeps one of his shirts. He would love to meet him in person and admits he always paid attention to Torres’ attacking of space and his speed when finishing.

Roberto is cautious about comparisons, though he jokes about sharing the hairstyle, tattoos and even height. As for the match, he respects an opponent he considers one of the toughest in the competition. However, he points out that Atlético have struggled in recent visits to Cornellà and hopes to end the team's recent negative run at home.

The return to La Rosaleda that gave him goosebumps

His recent visit to Málaga left images he will not easily forget. He had never before played professionally against a former club, and the reception exceeded all his expectations. From the moment he left the hotel, with fans chanting his name, to his substitution and the standing ovation from the stands, the forward felt he was back home.

It is very difficult to go to an away stadium and receive such an ovation. I almost got emotional during the match, the hairs stood up.

Roberto keeps a special bond with the Andalusian club, where he came through the youth ranks and reached the first team. Even though his present is with Espanyol, he appreciates the affection every time he returns. Looking ahead to the end of the season, he avoids setting a public target, but hints at his personal ambition: reaching double figures in LaLiga goals.