The recent news of Cesc Fabregas’ withdrawal from the Spanish squad with a left thigh tear ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifying match against Belarus and their friendly against world champions Germany, has been a blow to Vicente Del Bosque’s squad. The centre midfielder has been in fine form this season seemingly enjoying a new lease on life following his return to England. He’s shed off the demons of the past three seasons, his homecoming gone awry in Catalonia, and he’s returned to the same dynamic player he was revered for in his youth.
Given relative freedom under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, Fabregas is enjoying the form of his life. Replacing him in the line-up is no easy matter but it may just turn out to be the perfect opportunity for someone who’s made a habit out of benefitting off a player’s injury as of late—Francisco Alarcon.
The 22-year-old has taken his game a step further this season. From the onset Carlo Ancelotti has made Isco his project of sorts. Already blessed with exquisite technique, limitless talent and a wide array of ball skills, Ancelotti has brought out the tenacious side of Isco to glittering results. Isco’s work rate and decision making in the final third, both traits having previously been identified as his weakness of sorts, have improved massively in the past year, becoming trademarks of his game.
As Gareth Bale spent the better part of October injured Isco’s role went from mere replacement to an integral cog of the fluid and balanced Madrid we’ve come to see in recent weeks. Isco took his chance by the scruff of the neck, even creating doubts amongst Madridistas as to who should start when fully fit, the kid from Valencia or the €100 million man, a thought that would have bordered on insanity a couple months ago.
Yet for all his recent plaudits Isco has often found it difficult to break into Spain’s senior team in recent times despite his glowing record at youth level. It’s not solely his fault either; sure, there have been times where he’s failed to really leave an indelible mark on the game, but he’s also been relegated to bit-part performances, attempting to fit a game’s worth of action into a mere 20 minute spell and rushing as a result. Now Isco should get a starting role in at least one of the two matches.
Another Madrid-based player, Atletico Madrid’s Koke, should find himself playing a major role in the next two games as well. While he does not boast the same natural talent and command of the ball that makes Isco so unique, he makes up for it in heaps and bounds with his tactical awareness, passing and physicality. Koke can do it all in midfield – in fact he’s likely more versatile than Fabregas in this regard. He’s also reminiscent of Xavi in the way he is able to command a game and control the tempo, an almost innate characteristic.
There could also be room for veteran Santi Cazorla and Raul Garcia will offer Del Bosque some different options, but if Spain are preparing for 2016 it doesn’t make much sense to give them starting roles in the national set-up currently.
