THE NEXT SAN ANDREAS

It has never been easy for a young player from the cantera to make it big at Real Madrid, let alone during a Galacticos era.

Expectations from fans and the media are always overwhelmingly burdensome and opponents treat them like they would any other experienced superstar signing. But in Esteban Granero, Los Blancos have in their ranks a real, unpolished gem; someone who could unfold as the surprise performer in the team and end up becoming Manuel Pellegrini’s secret weapon throughout the course of the campaign.

He may only have played a little over an hour’s worth of football with Madrid since his making his dream return from Getafe a week ago, but he has already done enough to show his potential and give the Bernabeu faithful a glimpse of what he has to offer.

Those who observed him closely when he was with Los Azulones will know full well of the talent that he possesses. And for those who have only seen him in action for the very first time over the past week, they would have been suitably impressed.

Within minutes after coming on as a substitute for Wesley Sneijder in the 1-1 draw against Al-Ittihad in the Peace Cup, Granero came within inches of scoring a stunning goal on his debut when his 20-yard piledriver just clipped the wrong side of the bar.

But he did find the back of the net in the second game against LDU Quito, pouncing on a spilled shot from Cristiano Ronaldo and finishing off the rebound with clinical composure. As if that wasn’t enough, he went on to provide the assist for the team’s third goal when he delivered a pin-point corner for Christoph Metzelder, something both Sneijder and Guti had failed miserably at when assigned that specific task.

These are just the two qualities that could see him become Real Madrid’s version of Barcelona sensation, Andres Iniesta. Although not identical, they are very similar players in more ways than one and in fact, the only thing starkly different is their appearance. One looks like a choirboy and the other looks like, well, a pirate… as his nickname would suggest.

Granted, Granero’s goal against LDU was nothing special, but it does demonstrate one vital characteristic as a natural attacking midfielder: the ability to make that stealthy run into the box, just like Iniesta often would.

And just like the Barca man, he is also incredibly versatile. He can play anywhere across the midfield and he has even been utilised as a forward at Getafe. These are traits that will come in handy as it will allow him to see more playing time by slotting in anywhere on the pitch when required. In return, he will give the Merengues more options in attack and depth in the squad.

While opponents will have their bulls-eye mark pinned firmly on the high-profile Galacticos, Granero could be given the luxury to fly under the radar, much like Iniesta did when he first broke through. Flanked by players like Xavi, Deco, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry just to name but a few, ‘San Andres’ would often be the team’s unsung hero or the unheralded superstar.

Granero, too, can assume that role. The constant attention on players like Ronaldo and Kaka, and potentially Xabi Alonso, will allow him to quietly bang in some stellar displays without stirring up too much of a fuss for rival defenders to take notice.

Of course, ‘El Pirata’ is unquestionably still light-years away from reaching the level Andres is at currently. But if he is given a chance to show his worth this season and then consistently improve on his performances in the subsequent campaigns, he could become Madrid’s own Iniesta in the not so distant future. And training regularly alongside big guns such as Cristiano, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul will help him develop, sharpen and enhance his game in half the amount of time it would take him if he were to be temporarily shipped out to another club again.

It doesn’t hurt either that he has an immense desire to succeed at the club he first joined when he was only eight, and that he has already built up an instant rapport with the Bernabeu die-hards, who are desperately crying out for a new homemade hero. And that’s often the most important factor: the support and encouragement from the local fans. And we all know how fickle-minded and demanding the Madridistas can be.

If he can maintain his confidence levels and keep on progressing like he has over the past few years, there’s no reason why he can’t succeed. And if there’s one homegrown Blanco who can take the world by storm in a few years’ time, it would be Granero.