Better call Saul
This morning Saul Niguez stuck his head out from under the radar to remind us why he's considered one of football's best young midfielders.
In an Atletico Madrid team stacked with headliners, it's easy to forget about him.
Then he produces a moment of individual brilliance to single-handedly win a match and you suddenly understand why Barcelona is reportedly willing to shell out $80 million to trigger his release clause.
He's not Koke, Griezman, Carrasco or Godin.
He is Saul Niguez - the diminutive midfielder with a Formula One engine and the versatility to play almost anywhere on the pitch. And, as captain of Spain's European U-21 Championship team, his brilliance again exploded into football's consciousness with a phenomenal hat-trick today to seal his side's spot in the final.
A combination of power, finesse, athleticism and skill, Saul's versatility - he's been spotted leading the line for Atleti, out on the flanks, in the centre of midfield and roaming the backline - often keeps him firmly under the radar when the plaudits are being handed out.
Not today though, as the 21 year-old bossed the midfield, leading Italy on a merry dance and producing three top drawer goals to ensure an emphatic victory.
Barcelona views him as a possible replacement for Sergio Busquets, but Saul's ability to surge forward, score goals, muck in defence and drift wide to launch attacking moves on the flanks, makes him a much more dynamic prospect.
He is exactly the type of player you may expect to roll off the production line of the nation Spain meets in the decider on Saturday, Germany. With speedsters and technicians dominating a star-studded Spain team that could probably give the Confederations Cup a nudge too, Saul provides a touch of graft and industry, with his tough tackling and renowned fitness.
Germany, boasting an assortment of Bundesliga regulars, will look to press Spain, closing down space and implementing fast transitions from defence to attack. It won't afford Saul and co. as much space to operate in attack, as Italy did. That's where the Atleti man's versatility should come to the fore.
Taking a look at Saul's growing number of highlight reels online, its easy to see why Atleti manager Diego Simeone believes he can become the best midfielder in football. But first, he'll be trying to conquer Germany on Saturday.
