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“Great teams do go in cycles and they’re at the peak of the cycle they’re in at the moment. But how long will it last? They certainly have the right philosophy, but it’s always difficult to find players like Xavi, Iniesta all the time.” said Sir Alex Ferguson after the game against Barcelona in the UEFA Chmapions League 2011 at Wembley. Even though it remains a doubt if Spain can produce players like Xavi, Iniesta at a same time span, their future looks bright and they are poised at the moment.
Before Spain won the UEFA Euro 2008, then the FIFA World Cup 2010 which was followed by a successful Euro Championship defense in 2012, Spain had waited for decades for success in the International arena. However, the La Rojas have got the rub of the green as they were able to produce players like Casillas, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta around the same time. Is it just luck or is there talent in abundance to be able to produce players of top-flight quality?
Let’s take a sneak-peek of Spain in the years to come.
Goalkeeper
David De Gea – Age: 23, Manchester United
There is no doubt about who is going to be at goal for the La Rojas in about five or six years from now. It’s the Red Devil, De Gea who is already the first choice goalkeeper for Manchester United. He is best known for his reflexes and can pull off some brilliant saves from close range. He was a crucial member of the U21 Euro squad and doesn’t have much competition for the goalie spot and will be the successor of the Spanish captain.
Right Back
Daniel Carvajal – Age: 22, Real Madrid CF
Martin Montoya – Age: 22, FC Barcelona
Daniel Carvajal and Martin Montoya
There are a number of deserving candidates for this position and hence will be a hard decision to make for any manager. Both Montoya can play on both the flanks, hence provides flexibility. Apart from these two prodigies, there is Azpilicueta who is not quite as young as Carvajal/Montoya but undoubtedly an exciting prospect.
Centre Backs
Marc Bartra – Age: 23, FC Barcelona
Inigo Martinez – Age: 22, Real Sociedad
Inigo Martinez and Marc Bartra
Both Marc Bartra and Inigo Martinez excel in their positioning and interceptions. They have put in stand-out performances this season. Their development is critical to Spain’s future as there haven’t been better center-halves among the promising talents.
Left Back
Alberto Moreno – Age: 21, Sevilla FC
Alex Grimaldo – Age: 18, FC Barcelona B
Alex Grimaldo
Moreno has already got his international call up during the World Cup qualifiers. He has a lethal left-foot, a good dribbler and makes pivotal interceptions. However, the left-back position is certain to be occupied by Catalan hot-rod, Jordi Alba for a long time. But Alex Grimaldo can climb up the pecking order owing to his age and the ample time he has.
Central Defensive Midfield
Asier Illarramendi – Age: 23, Real Madrid CF
Sergi Roberto – Age: 21, FC Barcelona
Illaramendi
Asier Illarramendi played a crucial role in the middle of the park for Real Sociedad last season, which led Montanier’s side into the UEFA Champions League this season. He is also believed to be the replacement of Xabi Alonso, who too was a youth product of Real Sociedad. Sergi Roberto is an exciting prospect known for his high work-rate, hasn’t broken into the scene yet but it looks like it will happen in the near future.
Central Midfield
Thiago Alcantara – Age: 22, FC Bayern Munich
Isco – Age: 21, Real Madrid CF
Isco and Thiago- The future of the Spanish midfield?
The midfield pairing of Thiago Alcantara & Isco are very similar in nature to the midfield pairing of Xavi & Iniesta. Thiago can be the pass master, controlling the tempo and threading killer passes from the final third. In the last game against Frankfurt, he smashed the records by recording a whopping 148 passes with a pass completion rate of 93%.
On the other hand, Isco is a great dribbler with exceptional balance and a low center of gravity. He also possesses great vision and is extremely creative. Him along with Thiago, will form the crux of the La Rojas midfield in the future.
Left Wing
Iker Munian – Age: 21, Athletic Bilbao
Cristian Tello – Age: 22, FC Barcelona
Cristian Tello
Muniain is a product of Athletic Bilbao’s youth ranks. He holds the record for the youngest player to score in a top-flight league when he smashed the net at the age of just 16. He possesses blistering pace and sublime dribbling skills, which makes the wing, a tailor-made position for him. Cristian Tello, another gem produced by La Masia, can play on both the wings but the left flank being his natural position. Similar to Iker, he is a quality dribbler and his pace can leave the fullbacks scurrying for cover. His key strength is his ability to curl the ball.
Right Wing
Jorge Resurrección “Koke” – Age: 22, Atletico Madrid
Gerard Deulofeu – Age: 19, FC Barcelona
Deulofeu and Koke
Koke is irrefutably one of the most sought after footballers in Europe today. He has played a pivotal role in Simeone’s side clinching the top spot ahead of the Spanish giants. He has provided copious assists and has augmented the attacking duo of Costa and Villa. Vision, passing, crossing are few of his numerous strengths.
Deulofeu has broken into the scene courtesy his loan spell at Everton. At 18, he was already making statements in the Adelante, scoring 18 goals in nearly 30 appearances. His goal against Arsenal is the pick of his career, wherein he showed great composure before smashing the ball into the net, which earned his team a valuable point.
Striker
Alvaro Morata – Age: 21, Real Madrid CF
Jese Rodriguez – Age: 20, Real Madrid CF
Morata and Jese-Competing with each other for both club and country
Both Jese and Morata have made their way into the most expensive squad in world football through the youth ranks of Madrid Castilla. Morata is a pure no.9 and is a real poacher. His prowess as a clinical finisher was utilized effectively during his time at the U-19 & U-21 Euro championship, where he went on to win the golden boot in both the tournaments in 2011 & 2013 respectively.
Jese Rodriguez has evidently been Real Madrid’s breakthrough player of the season. He is best known for his lightning-quick acceleration, exquisite positioning and finishing. He is the only player from Real Madrid to score against both Barcelona & Atletico Madrid. He is also becoming a key player for the U-21 Spanish squad combining superbly well with Morata & Deulofeu.
RESERVES: Ruben Blanco (GK) , Olivier Torres (CM), Sergi Samper (CDM), Nacho Fernandez (CB), Rodrigo (ST)
The La Rojas might be dethroned in the upcoming FIFA World Cup but the future certainly looks secured with a squad which has depth, pace, skill, technique and what not? If at all the Spanish Era is coming to an end, it will not be later when these prodigies begin a new one.
