"When you see him, you'll freak out; his hair gives him a special aura"

GironaIn the summer of 2023, l’Escala's sporting director was insistently looking for a midfielder for his new project. “When they told me his name, I didn't hesitate for a second. I had lost track of him a bit, but when we were kids, those of us who moved around the football fields, we already heard him being talked about. We had him under control,” says Toni Sánchez, the current coach of Figueres. He is referring to Izan González, one of the signings in Quique Álvarez's bid for Girona to return to First Division.

“His agent offered him to me, sending me videos so I could see him play. He was part of the Honor Division youth team at Cornellà and stood out for his intensity, ability to win balls, and good game distribution, but top-tier teams either hadn't noticed him or didn't dare to take a chance. We were the only ones who did,” he claims, proudly. At that time, the team from Alt Empordà was a great option for the Blanes midfielder, whom Sánchez had discovered years earlier, at Cal Aguidó and Llagostera. “For someone from the neighborhood, he's very introverted. Perhaps the image he projects, with his long hair, suggests something else, but he's reserved, even though he has a very well-balanced character. Now, when he steps onto the field, he transforms,” he adds.

González, in just three years, has climbed through categories at breakneck speed: at Nou Miramar he tasted Tercera RFEF; at Cornellà, Segunda RFEF; at Europa, Primera RFEF, and at Granada, Segunda División. “In the first training sessions with L'Escala, Arnau Sala, who was the coach, told me 'Toni, Izan doesn't talk, he never says anything.' At first, to be honest, he didn't play much. But I told him to stay calm, that he would explode, because when someone has quality, it eventually shows. And so it was: when he entered the starting lineup, he never left it. He has qualities that are very hard to find, and he has them naturally. And his potential is immense, because it was only a matter of time before he reached professional football.” At 21, the idea was for him to try and make a place for himself in the elite at Montilivi, but the white-and-red team's relegation has ruined his plans. Provisionally, of course, because he has signed until 2029.

What are these qualities? According to Sánchez, “he is a very intelligent player and shows a clearly upward trend. Wherever he has been, he has consolidated very quickly. Tactically, he knows how to sense the space he needs to occupy. Where others hesitate or don't know whether to hold or split, he makes instant decisions with a very high success rate. If he goes for someone, he'll snatch the ball for sure. When you see him, you'll be amazed”. Of course, he also has room for growth. “I would say especially in the final pass, although at Granada he has improved it a lot. In fact, he has even scored goals there. At L'Escala he had also scored some. I remember some crackers from outside the area…”. The Figueres coach is betting that “he will be a starter at Girona. Furthermore, the club needs local people and to boost the Girona pride it boasts so much about. Izan's presence will strengthen this pride”.

His opponents provoke him 

What will also leave you speechless is his image. “His hair gives him a special aura. Everyone highlights the same thing, even in the locker room he received constant comments and jokes,” comments the one from Sant Gregori, who confirms what everyone already knows. “He refuses to cut his hair and I would tell him that, if he ever reconsiders, he shouldn't do it, because nobody has this look and it gives him added value”. Tied back in a ponytail, not a few opponents have tried to get under his skin by taking advantage of any close contact. “I've seen him suffer more than one provocation and I've even witnessed ugly actions from rivals who have pulled his hair and ended up on their way to the locker room, sent off”. Under the VAR's gaze, more than one will think twice.