Since suffering an anterior cruciate tear at the back end of last season against former club Atletico Madrid, number one goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo has been on the shelf for Villarreal.
In his absence has risen an on-loan Frenchman from PSG, Alphonse Areola, who has been one of the Yellow Submarine’s most important players this term.
With Asenjo back to full training and pushing for his first call-up back into the squad, does the former number one take back the spot between the sticks from the young upstart or does the new boy have what it takes to keep Asenjo on the bench?
Before injury struck last season, Asenjo had made 34 appearances for Villarreal in a campaign that was by far his best. Receiving his first ever national call-up during the 2014-15 season, Asenjo was in the upper echelon of Spanish goalkeepers.
Conceding 31 goals in his 34 starts was good enough to spark the interest of Vincente Del Bosque as the man from Palencia was being touted a squad member for the Euro qualifiers and maybe even the upcoming tournament itself.
His record of 15 clean sheets also had a lot to do with that and if he were to get back to full fitness and take the starting spot away from Areola, Euro 2016 may still be on the cards.
Taking that spot away will not be an easy task though.
Going into the new season, manager Marcelino had a choice of two goalkeepers, either the experienced Mariano Barbosa or the youthful Areola. From Liga matchday one, Marcelino put his faith in the young Frenchman and he has not once let his manager down.
Starting all 15 league matches thus far, Areola has four clean sheets. While not the most spectacular, this is behind a defence that has lacked stability throughout as injury has crippled the Villarreal back line.
To his credit, Areola has only conceded two or more goals on three occasions this season, with one of those being against Barcelona.
In the team’s last match against Real Madrid, Areola kept a clean sheet and his command of his box led to Los Blancos only having one shot on target, which he saved diving to his right to deny Gareth Bale.
It is no certainty that Asenjo can walk straight back into this team. Marcelino has preferred Barbosa in the Europa League and Copa Del Rey, and while the Argentine has made a valiant effort it is his spot that is most uncertain.
It is likely that once Villarreal face Napoli in the round of 32 in February, Barbosa will not be the man between the sticks.
Having trusted Areola thus far it would make sense for Marcelino to persist with him until he gives him a reason otherwise which may mean more time on the bench for Asenjo.
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What works in the Spanish international’s favour is that Areola is only a player on loan and thus is not fully contracted to the club. Without knowing the intricacies of his contract and assuming he will return to PSG at the end of the season, it can be assumed that 26-year-old Asenjo holds more sway at the club as he will likely still be there for season 2016-17.
But if nothing else, Marcelino appears to be a fair man and will let Asenjo prove he has what it takes to displace the 21-year-old.
It would come as no surprise to see the two paired and matched in training to see who is looking better going into the next league game as Villarreal fight for a Champions League berth.
As it stands, Areola is the number one, Barbosa two and Asenjo three. Villarreal’s next game, against Huesca in the Copa Del Rey, will see Barbosa likely having his last start for the foreseeable future as if the team gets through that tie, Asenjo will usurp his position as second choice.
In early January in the cup, Asenjo will stake his claim for the metaphorical number one jersey. Should he take his opportunity with both hands and impress Marcelino, it seems the obvious choice to restore him to the first team in place of the on-loan star.
Despite the level of his performances this season, Areola’s contract situation will see him fall down the pecking order to a man looking to book his ticket to France 2016.
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