Atletico Madrid have signed goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo from Real Valladolid on a four-year contract for a fee in the region of 5.5 million euros and the loan of striker Diego Costa for one season.
One of the many misconceived notions lingering around in the game is the interpretation that persisting with a young, relatively inexperienced, occupier of the goalkeeper gloves could be detrimental to both the player and the club. The aftermath of several impressive outings could be the creation of an inflated hype, establishing unfeasible expectations which only serve to suffocate the ascendancy of a budding shot-stopper. Critics are hasty to latch onto any unforgiveable misgivings and every verdict is intensified, analysed and scrutinised under the microscope from all quarters of the media.
Spending time in the shadow of a 30-something who has racked up endless international caps isn't an awful predicament to be in, given the pressure cauldron formed from the above, and so wrapping the blooming prodigy in cotton-wool and slowly but surely inducing an introduction to the dog-eat-dog world is a sensible approach nobody could argue against.
Experience is an invaluable asset nurtured to perfection only through the arms of time and such a position is a speciality, but there is an ignorance in constantly opting for the conservative selection of seasoned pros and thereby overlooking those promising aspirants. Many goalkeepers catagorised in the world-class pedigree defied their age at the beginning of their career to demonstrate supreme quantities of bravery, agility and judgement, and naturally several up-and-coming stars, who have proved they have the calibre to succeed now, look set to follow in their footsteps. Atletico Madrid have pursued a policy of restoring youth back to the position of goalkeeper and will reap everlasting rewards in the process.
Spanish Primera Liga outfit have bolstered the dearth goalkeeping ranks at the Vicente Calderon with the noble acquisition of Real Valladolid’s Spanish Under-21 international Sergio Asenjo, replacing the outbound veterans of Leo Franco and Gregory Coupet, who have joined Galatasaray and Paris St Germain respectively. Whilst experience has been lost, such is the reputation of their successor that Atletico haven’t just been assured of a safe pair of hands for this upcoming season, but for the long-term as well as they can call upon the reassuring figure many have already touted as a future Spanish number one.
Still only 20 years of age, Asenjo faces the best portion of two decades ahead of him and, when you consider that goalkeepers do not hit their climax until their late twenties, the Pelacia-born Spaniard rightfully has a very promising career on the horizon. Glance across Madrid and early, perhaps dangerously premature, similarities can be drawn with Real’s first-choice, both on domestic stage for club and international stage for country, Iker Casillas.
Whereas Casillas was a member of the victorious side of the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, Asenjo twice saved in the penalty-shootout of the 2007 Under 19 European Championship semi-final to lead Spain to victory over France before a final conquest over Greece. The latter can be considered as a challenger to the former but, considering the cosmic riches available at Spain's disposal in between the posts [Barcelona's undisputed first-choice Victor Valdes has yet to earn a senior cap], it will be worthy challenge to hoist his name above Liverpool's Jose Reina, Diego Lopez of Villarreal and Casillas and Valdez - all four of which participate on the very premium stage of the UEFA Champions League and scrap for domestic honours.
The question remains exactly how high Asenjo can elevate to, as is the caution which generally tags itself to young professionals, but he honestly hasn’t put a foot wrong so far and who are we to playdown his future?
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