Nacho Monreal believes Hector Bellerin’s “brilliant” performances stem from his ability to play without fear.
The 20-year-old has been nominated for the European Golden Boy award, just two weeks after being named Young Catalan Player of the Year, for his impressive displays over the past 12 months.
Monreal has featured regularly in the same back four as Bellerin, and had plenty of praise for the Spain Under-21 defender.
“It's not a surprise because he's playing really well,” Monreal told Arsenal Player. “He's a young player, only 20 years old, but he plays like a guy who is 30. He's very mature and he plays with a lot of confidence.
“He trusts in himself and that's very good for us. Since he's started to play the level of the team is improving so we are very proud of him.
“When I was 20 like him, I was scared every time I had to play at the beginning, but he's not. That's the secret for him, that he's so confident in himself.
“He knows what he has to do, he goes on to the pitch and he does it. It looks easy but it's not easy. He's only 20, he has a long way to go, he has to play more games but obviously everything he has done is brilliant. He just needs to keep going in the same way.
“I'm 100 per cent sure he will play for the Spanish national team. I don't know when as that's the question. At this moment there are another two right backs like Juanfran and Dani Carvajal. Hector is still playing for the under-21s but if he carries on, he will play with the senior team 100 per cent.”
Hector Bellerin
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