Álex Baena

Written by David Álvarez, Juan I. Irigoyen, Ladislao Moñino, Jon Rivas, Rafael Pineda and Juan L. Cudeiro for El País:

Álex Baena is often compared to Santi Cazorla. Both players left home as teenagers to join Villarreal; both became midfielders known more for their intelligence than athletic prowess. Like the former Arsenal player Cazorla, Baena does his thinking before he receives the ball – and usually makes the correct decision about what to do when he receives it. He is a great competitor, too. Perhaps he only needs to become more mature, and understand that he needs to be a role model for teammates as well as supporters.