Top 5 prospects of Spanish football

In this new series of Top Fives, I will be looking at the top five prospects from each of the major footballing nations. To be regarded as a ‘prospect’ for inclusion in this list the players must still be developing and not yet regular first team internationals. There is no age restriction as such but the focus will by and large be on players who have established a reputation but still have potential to unlock. I’ll have a look at their strengths and weaknesses and offer a comparison to a star player.

First up, the land with an endless supply of talent, Spain.

Thiago Alcantara (Barcelona, 22)

Background Thiago is the son of World Cup 94 winner Mazinho. As such he could chose to play for Brazil or Spain but has chosen the country of his footballing education. The man Xavi describes as ‘the future of Barcelona’

Position Equally comfortable anywhere in central midfielder areas. Most effective as a deep lying playmaker.

Strengths Thiago has skill, touch and control that most players can only dream of. His technical ability is on a par with his more established Barcelona team mates. He has a full and complete passing range over all distances and his ball striking is exemplary. He has excellent vision and awareness and is always looking for the next pass to give and then makes himself available to receive. He has a menacing gliding dribbling style and change of pace which sees him scything through the middle of the pitch which is where defenders least want players coming at them at pace.

Weaknesses He can sometimes try to be too exuberant, sometimes trusting his incredible abilities to do things that aren’t the best option.

The next Andres Iniesta. Although Thiago mostly plays in Xavi’s area of the field, watching him is more like watching Iniesta. He shares the same ghostly ability to always be in space and then suddenly inject pace with a darting run or miraculous pass. Also possessed of the same rapid feet and elegant trickery.

Isco (Malaga, 21)

Background Isco was signed by Malaga from Valencia after they activated a now paltry looking £4m release clause. Linked with Man City.

Position Comfortable playing in any attacking position behind a central striker, but most devastating in the ‘number 10? role.

Strengths For his position, he is pretty much a complete package. He has the technical skill expected of Spanish players but what marks him out is the pace at which he operates with the ball at his feet. He moves rapidly when dribbling and is also able to perform a variety of tricky skill manoeuvres at pace. This makes him an irresistible force at times because defenders can’t near enough to him to stop him. He is so confident and direct when in possession that he poses a near constant threat. His goal output is very strong to add to this whirl of menace.

Weaknesses It’s pretty hard to find weaknesses in Isco but he can be a little sloppy in possession at times. This is mostly because he is always trying something, always looking to create chaos but if he sharpens that up he’ll be even better. Also needs to create more goals.

The next Juan Mata. Like Mata, Isco scores a lot of goals from his number 10 position and has an ability to terrify defences. He moves a bit more swiftly than Mata but they both have the full gamete of skill and trickery.

Asier Illarramendi (Real Sociedad, 23)

Background Illarramendi is a product of the fruitful Real Sociedad youth system which powered the club’s fourth place finish in La Liga last season.

Position Central/deep midfield. He’s a pure deep lying passer.

Strengths Illarramendi’s passing accuracy and range are as good as any of the top players in his position. He is just as comfortable passing sideways over 5 yards as pinging diagonally 60 yards. It’s a very rare talent but he has it in abundance. He is a pure technician whose ball striking is genuinely elite level already. Always in space to receive the ball and move it on quickly and also a rugged and canny defensive presence.

Weaknesses Not especially quick and doesn’t have a record of scoring and making goals yet.

The next Xabi Alonso. Not just because Alonso is ex-Sociedad but they are pretty much the same player. Illarramendi even runs like Alonso and does the little hop after making a pass. Both have the most dramatic passing range.

Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad, 22)

Background Another of the stable of Sociedad’s homegrown starlets.

Position Central defender.

Strengths Martinez is an incredibly elegant and upright presence on the pitch. He is an excellent passer for a defender and has an impressive awareness of space. He is a cerebral player, a defender by correct positioning rather than outright pace or strength. An excellent interceptor of the ball and reader of the game. However, he is capable enough in the physical confrontations, perhaps surprisingly so given his relative lack of height.

Weaknesses He’s not quick and although he makes up for it with his brain it could be an issue against raw pace.

The next Fernando Hierro. The ex-Real Madrid captain and three time Champions League winner relied on his brain and passing ability to become one of the top defenders in the world. An elegant, intelligent player who Martinez can aspire to be like.

David de Gea (Manchester United, 22)

Background After a tough start at United De Gea has established himself as one of the top keepers in the Premier League.

Position Goalkeeper

Strengths De Gea is one of the best shot stoppers in the world. His pure reflexes and incredible athleticism for his position means he can make saves few keepers can. Despite early criticism to the contrary he is also very consistent. He makes the saves he is supposed to as well as those he isn’t. A reliable option with the ball at his feet and has excellent distribution.

Weaknesses He is rapidly overcoming questions about his physical toughness but could do with being more vocal and dominating.

The next Iker Casillas Both renowned for their shot stopping and distribution. As he grew older Casillas matured in to a leader, enough so to be Real Madrid and Spain captain.