From training with Haaland and De Bruyne to the January camp with Finland – now Tomas Galvez wants to make an impression on the A national team: “Eager for the future”

Pep Guardiola wants him to dare to play offensively, Erling Braut Haaland guides him in the right direction. Tomas Galvez is surrounded by world stars in everyday life and now he will try to convince Markku Kanerva that he is a player to bet on.

Finland’s squad for next week’s two international training matches against Sweden and Estonia mostly consists of players from the domestic and Nordic leagues.

Two Polish clubs have also let their players go, but it is above all one English club that stands out: Manchester City.

The player who boasts that club address is left back Tomas Galvez. He was born in England but also has a Finnish passport.

The 17-year-old previously belonged to Watford’s academy, but in the summer of 2021 he signed for Manchester City. There he has played for the junior teams but also trained with the Premier League team.

– It has been a fantastic experience to train with players who play in the Champions League and in one of the best teams in the world. It’s challenging but fantastic, says Galvez at a press conference.

Guardiola wants him to dare to play offensively

He moves with world stars such as Erling Braut Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden and for a young promising player their advice is worth its weight in gold.

– They are friendly, welcoming and professional. They guide one in the right direction. They are players you look up to, says Galvez.

He has also received important advice from City’s head coach Pep Guardiola.

– He is very smart and the best coach in the world. It almost feels a little crazy when you stand there and he talks to me, but he has helped me a lot.

– When you get to train with the first team, you don’t want to make mistakes. But he has told me to dare to take risks and play the ball forward, says Galvez.

Galvez is yet to play for City’s A team but he has sat on the bench in a friendly.

The debut in the A national team looms

In the national team, he has previously played youth internationals for Finland, but now he is taking another step as the A national team’s January camp is underway in Portugal.

– Just a few weeks ago I played European Championship qualifiers with the guys who were born in 2004. I have my origins in England and Spain but have chosen to represent Finland.

– It is a great honor to now get the chance in the A national team and I am excited about the future, he says.

Galvez is only in the first part of the camp in Portugal. He is available for Monday’s match against Sweden, but then he leaves the national team for this time.

In a few training sessions and a match, it is important to make an impression with a view to the future.

– I hope I get to start or jump in. If I get to play, I can show what I’m about and hopefully I can impress everyone watching, he says.

Yle broadcasts Finland’s training matches directly at the Arena.