3 Young Spanish Midfielders

By: Corey | May 13th, 2008

So after a terrific La Liga title winning season, we have all but a game that may or may not happen against Levante this weekend. So all eyes are on the moves that Real makes this summer in the transfer market, as its pretty certain that barring a bust-up, Bernadine Schuster will be the coach next year. So the management of the team and the coach will be working hand-in-hand for once in the off-season to put together the team for next season.

Common sense dictate that not many moves need to be made for a team that did so well this year, and Ramon Calderon has not run his mouth about potential signings this summer, sticking with the suggestions Raul and Gabi Heinze made to him to keep the team together, explaining that before making a move in the market, mainly selling a player, consider how other players will take it and the effect it will have on team chemistry. Couple that with Schuster’s idea that no more than 3 additions are needed, which should mean atleast 3 departures, and we have a very solid core of players to continue chasing honors with.

But when Bernd said 3 additions, he did not count the 3 players we have brought back from other La Liga sides. There is no most notable player, they are simply very solid players that used their year away from the Bernabeu to prove they are no longer prospects, they are up-and-coming professionals.

Javi Garcia had been flirting with the Real first team since 2005. Lopez Caro had worked with him at Castilla and was keen to integrate him along with Nieto, Soldado and De la Red when he was coach. Everyone remembers the game against Olympiakos that year when qualification for the CL was assured and Caro sent out the youngsters, who almost managed a win, although they eventually succumbed to a 2-1 defeat. It was when I first fell in love with Javi Balboa, but this was Javi Garcia’s chance to shine. He didnt really take it, De la Red impressing more, and Garcia stuck with Castilla until this past summer when he moved on.

Javi Garcia played a little bit of everything at Osasuna this season, sometimes as a center back, but usually in the center of midfield or narrowly on the right where he was equal parts skillful passing and physical presence in the middle of the park. He played 26 games, starting 22, and scored two thumping headers that I believe were both game winners.

He has a mean streak to him with 46 fouls committed that led to four yellow cards and two reds, the team leader in reds. The few games I watched him play in he was usually paired with Franco Punal or Nacho Monreal, and even though its arguable who was more of a hard man, Javi Garcia was equal parts an offensive force and defensive shield. I expect Schuster to deploy him alongside Diarra or Gago in away game as they share duties with a player farther forward like Sneijder or Guti.

Esteban Granero only spent one year with Castilla before leaving on loan to Getafe. He signed a lucrative pro-deal just before he left, and never made a appearance for Real, barring some pre-season friendlies. Dont be fooled, that photo is from a Castilla match, Esteban passing the ball to Alvaro Negredo. Granero is listed as attacking midfielder, most comfortable in the center of the park, which is where he played in tandem with Javi Garcia for Castilla last year.

This year at Getafe, Laudrup was able to use him in a 5 man midfield where he played shallow left, a attacking midfielder slightly skewed out wide. Almost like how Zidane used to position himself, he drifted all over the field but could usually be found around the left flank, often giving way to the wider player on the left or the overlapping Licht. He was most useful moving forward and making late runs into the box. He scored three goals this year on 26 appearances, 18 of them starts, but the most interesting stat is that he was fouled 79 times this year. Thats a team leading figure, and proof to his skill on the ball, as he is no diver.

His position right now is owned by Guti, with Sneijder more often then not playing there as well. I expect Granero to be a perennial sub next year, if he does not get yet another loan. It would not harm him to much to go on loan yet again, but I think he wants to play for Real which I admire. I think he has what it takes to be the next Guti, although more consistent and less tempramental. It would be interesting if he were to partner Guti or Sneijder in front of Gago/Diarra. Questions remain about his mobility for me, as he is not as quick and skillful as you would like to see from a playmaker. But as Guti has shown us, a killer pass and good off-the-ball movement will go along way.

I think we are all well aware of Ruben De La Red. I have becryed him never playing for the past two years, and was fervently against him leaving this summer. I actually began hating Schuster because he cast him away, along with our other youth team products. He has since won be back, and it seems Ruben has won back Schuster’s favor. Ruben was excellent all season at Getafe, often playing as the defensive lynchpin in the 5 man midfield of Getafe’s hugely successful European campaigb. Or he partnered Celestini or Pallardo (who is going back to Valencia, the irony!) in a double fulcrum setup, always impressing. His passing has never been questioned, but he has shown great maturity in his defensive skill set, and moved forward with great purpose this season, scoring 3 goals.

In all, 30 appearance on 28 starts proves he is more than ready for the Real first team. His return throws in to question the future of Julio Baptista, who looks certain to move on, which is sad because I think he really appreciated the shirt and I cant say one bad thing about him. The other question remains, since Gago is improving finally and Diarra has played himself into staying, where does De la Red figure into Schuster’s plans? The three are great players and I want to see lots of playing time for them, but with Baptista, Gago, Sneijder, Diarra and Guti already in the middle of the pitch, surely 1 will leave and another will be close to it. My guess is Granero stays with Getafe next year or moves to another team as to continue playing continously.

Adrian Gonzalez is a left midfielder, who this past summer was with the Spain u-20 team in Canada that also featured Diego Capel on the left. In the few minutes he saw he impressed, and Real decided that the son of Michel would go on loan to Celta Vigo along with Agus. Something happened after making 4 appearance in La Seguna, and he ended up at Gimnastic, who are in danger of being relegated from La Seguna A. I do not have a number of appearances for him at Nastic, but I do know that the plan is to loan him to Getafe next year, so clearly he has demonstrated something for him to move up a division.

My hope is that he has a good season at Getafe, because we have been buying expensive foreign wingers for sometime now while other teams are churning them out like Sevilla, Valencia and Barca. Since Nieto looks set to move on this summer, and the Mosquera brothers certain to make loans or move with buy-back clauses, Adrian is the best bet right now for a Spanish winger in the Real first team for the first time in to long. Speaking of Nieto, does anyone know whats going on with him?

Agus moved to Celta after a less than impressive performance against Depor in the Terressa Herrera trophy in August. I have not heard a peep about him since them, so I will go ahead and say he is not gonna be making it to the first team. Any news on him feel free to share.

Finally, there is Alvaro Negredo, who started the season off hot and inform, but has since cooled, although he has 13 goals to his name right now which is a very good haul in is first season. Real have a buy back clause on him, but it appears it will not be exercised as the expirement with Soldado has since failed. I am okay with him not coming back, he will play more with Almeria and may get himself into contention for a call-up next year.

Also, with so many Castilla players impressing this summer, there is likely to be more than a few players shipped out to La Liga/ La Segunda teams on loan or sold with buy back clauses. The Callejon brothers and Pedro Mosquera look like they are ready for loans while Alberto Bueno has stalled in his progress and may need to be sold unfortunately, albeight with a buy back clause. Chema Anton could make the move to the first team, but a loan may work too.

Usually Real does not loan out keepers, but Antonio Adan should be the exception, he is better than Codina and Kiko Casilla combined and if Iker was not a god among mortals I would be calling for Adan to get a shot at the title. Also, Dani Parejo, the unfortunate looking midfielder could be in a similar situation to Granero, as he can impress in pre-season and get a loan in La Liga. Again, besides Adrian, all of the Castilla players will be evaluated in pre-season training, a few will go on whatever trip Schuster takes them on and we will go from there.

So, there you go, comments are welcome.