All About Granero

By: Corey | July 24th, 2009

Esteban was back with the squad today, training just like the rest of the players, and it appears he has slipped in almost unnoticed. He was running around like it was 2007 and he was trying to impress Schuster enough to stay in the first team. Now its 2009, and he has, like Ruben de la Red before him, returned to Real after two years away to live a life long dream of becoming a merengue. He did not have a big glitzy presentation nor a big presser that all the media outlets covered vehemently. But the official site seemed enthusiastic enough to provide a little bio on the canterano’s life long journey through the many divisions of Real Madrid. Here it is:

A youth-teamer as of the age of eight, Esteban Granero’s dream of landing on Real Madrid’s first team has come true. Now 22, the midfielder has dedicated almost his whole life to the club. He first signed on following the Torneo Social, where he caught the eye of several scouts; something he continues to do to this day. He has won championships, led team’s to promotion, lifted trophies and also experienced the agony of defeat, but his maturity both on and off the pitch has prevented him from ever throwing in the towel.

Granero first suited up for Real Madrid with the Under-10 squad; a division he would score 83 goals in. The years passed by and Granero continued to improve. In 1999 he captained the Under-14 team that won the International Football Seven Tournament in Barcelona. Granero scored the game-winner and was named Best Player of the championship.

At the age of 17, Granero joined Real Madrid C and was soon the center of attention of not just the team, but of Real Madrid Castilla coach Michel, as well. In December of 2005/06 he debuted with the ‘B’ team against Albacete and finished the match with a goal assist. That same season he went on to win the Under-19 European Championship in Poland.

He started with the u-10s. That is local lad for you. No matter how great Kaka is, there is no substitute for that kind of status as a canterano. His status is only enhanced when he holds his first presser and drops lines like “I accepted the offer (to come back to Real) before it was ever laid on the table. It may sound like demagoguery to say that the money doesn’t matter, but I think there are more important things. Money took a back seat in my case.” His full press conference is below. It has some interesting quotes in it, and gives a nice little back drop to the man behind the hair.

Welcome to Real Madrid. What does this return mean to you?
Thank you. You know that I spent many years in the academy, but being a member of the first team is a dream come true. I think it is also the first step in fulfilling other dreams, like winning many titles. I now have the chance to fight for a spot as a starter and I will do whatever it takes.

You finally returned when it looked like you might stay at Getafe. Did you ever lose hope of coming back?
No. I think every summer is different. There were some doubts this summer, but luckily I made it back. The club’s top brass and the team’s coaching staff have faith in me, and for that I am grateful. I am now in a good position and it’s up to me to earn a spot. I am very grateful for the confidence placed in me.

What other things do you dream about?
Suiting up in the first team dressing room is the right path to be on, but I will not settle with just that. I am an ambitious person and I will fight for a spot and learn a lot. This year’s goal is to win many titles because that is what Real Madrid deserves.

Were you assured that you will continue here?
I will continue playing here.

Have you spoken to Pellegrini about your chances of playing?
We did get to speak and he told me he has faith in me. He said that I was a member of the team and that I will have the same opportunities as the rest. I am not asking for matches, but just the opportunity to earn a spot. It doesn’t depend on me. I am where I am because the coaching staff has faith in me.

Have you spoken to Cristiano Ronaldo?
We greeted one another. He is a pleasant person and there will be plenty of time to get to know one another.

How do you feel being able to work by his side?
It makes me proud and I know I can learn a lot from him. He is one of the best players in the world, if not the best, so having the chance to assist him as a midfielder is incredible.

What do you think the team can win this season?
I don’t think we can settle for nothing. We cannot give up on anything, and everything is possible with players like Cristiano Ronaldo and the many others who have arrived.

Do you feel any pressure after hearing Valdano say that the door is closed to future signings but that you were the exception?
I don’t feel any pressure. I do feel very responsible. Being a member of this squad is complicated and it has to be earned. I am proud to wear the Real Madrid shirt, both in matches and during training.

Why is it that you turned down money to play for Real Madrid?
I accepted the offer before it was ever laid on the table. It may sound like demagoguery to say that the money doesn’t matter, but I think there are more important things. Money took a back seat in my case. .

Abidal advised Ribery to sign for Barrcelona. What advice would you give him?
I recommend that he signs for Real Madrid because we are a competitive team and he can learn a lot here. Every football has Real Madrid at the top of his list.

Did you recommend that Parejo sign for Getafe?
My two years at Getafe were great. I was treated very well and played a lot of matches in both La Liga and in Europe. I learned a lot from my teammates and coaches. Sometimes you have to take the long way around to get to Real Madrid, and spending time with Getafe served me well.

Do you prefer a huge presentation or something more intimate?
I was presented yesterday afternoon and I was anxious to train and to meet my teammates. There is plenty of time to play at the stadium.

What did you learn at Getafe?
A lot. I gained a lot of experience. I played a lot of matches in Primera Division and Europe. I played in several positions, both in the midfield and along the flanks, and I think that versatility will help me.

Do you think the arrival of Xabi Alonso would hurt your chances of playing?
I don’t think so. It is not one of my concerns. I would love for Real Madrid to have the best players to be able to share a dressing room with and to compete against for a spot in the starting eleven.

Does joining Real Madrid hamper your progress because of all the players who are being signed?
On the contrary. It is a step forward. Playing will be a little trickier, but it will make the challenge that much more interesting and I decided to take that step in my career. I don’t think it will hamper anything, but rather that it is a step forward.

To read more about Granero’s return, you can check out AS, who has a little video on him training and such. Nice to see him back, and he will take up the mantle that De la Red held for me as the cantera with the man crush. Here is to hoping Granero can carve out a spot on the bench first, then a starting spot either in the center of the midfield or in place of one of the galacticos in case of an injury, god forbid. Welcome back Granero!

Also on the docket today is Dani Parejo’s potential move to Getafe first on loan, but with an option for a purchase also. To my mind, the deal has not been completed yet, but its just a matter of time and formality. It is a good move, as we have seen both De la Red and Granero really come in to their own at Getafe with a good deal of playing time. Soldado had a good first season there, and former Real players Adrian Gonzalez and Jordi Codina will also help him acclimate with the squad. Adrian Gonzalez should see more time this year with Michel (his father) as coach, and I think we can expect the same for Parejo. Not a like for like replacement for Granero, but he is a quality player who just needs to learn the trade at the highest level.

When the deal is completed, as well as any deals for Huntelaar, Drenthe or any other players, we will be covering it here. Also, there is news of Xerez being demoted back to the third division because of paperwork troubles…? I have to read up on it more but, it would be a shame to have crappy Betis stinking up La Liga again in place of an equally bad but more interesting story in Xerez. Even though they have something like 16 players in their first team right now…