The unsung hero of Las Palmas: Alvaro Valles takes his top-flight bow in stride

When Las Palmas signed Aaron Escandell in the summer, it wasn’t a case of the club buying a defined back-up goalkeeper – someone who was content to be an understudy. The 28-year-old had done wonders for his reputation last season, producing one of the top individual campaigns by any goalkeeper in Segunda, and setting a course back to the top-flight in terms of his individual ambitions.

As per Opta’s xG data, Escandell conceded 12 goals fewer than he’d have been expected to last term, based on the quality of shots on target faced. That was the second-best mark of any goalkeeper in the division, and he paired that with being one of the most efficient number ones with the ball at his feet. Indeed, it was precisely that combination of attributes that caught the attention of Las Palmas and other top-flight clubs in the lead up to the summer window.

Three months after leaving Cartagena, however, Escandell is still looking for his first appearance for his new club. And what’s more, there’s little sign of that changing any time soon.

The sole reason for that has been the performance of Alvaro Valles. In what should be the most difficult period of his Las Palmas career – between playing in La Liga for the first time and having his strongest competition yet – the 26-year-old is not only defending his position, but rather expanding his case as the club’s number one. Valles has not even allowed the notion of a ‘two number one’s’ approach to set in, for his performance levels have rendered Escandell a spectator.

Through his first 12 top-flight outings, the only game Valles has conceded more than one goal in was against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. He was beaten twice that day, but saved each of his first seven shots on