Viva España - The future looks bright

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.