Last summer, Villarreal had a decision to make. Feeling the pinch of a financial crisis sweeping Spain into debt and disillusionment, funds needed to be raised.

They had two options: sell striker Giuseppe Rossi to Barcelona or let local hero Santi Cazorla leave El Madrigal. They chose the latter.

Outside observers hailed the club's ambition in hanging on to Rossi. Fans did not. Fast forward 10 months and Cazorla had helped Malaga to their best-ever finish and a place in the Champions League. Villarreal, meanwhile, were relegated.

Villarreal had sold Cazorla before, letting their midfielder join Recreativo Huelva for a cut-price €600,000 in 2006. But back then, they quickly realised their error as Santi shot Recre to an eighth-placed success and claimed Don Balon's Player of the Year award. So back he went to El Madrigal for double the fee.

This time, however, there will be no prodigal return from Andalucia - Cazorla is gone for good.

But Villarreal's loss is Spain's game. The 27-year-old has been a sensation in the south, just as he had been before, scoring nine times as Manuel Pellegrini's men rose gradually to claim fourth place in La Liga. The highlight? A last-gasp leveller with a fantastic free kick at the Santiago Bernabeu to deny Real Madrid (a team he once turned down) and make Malaga believe they could compete with the very best.

This summer, Vicente del Bosque has a decision to make. With an embarrassment of riches in the centre of the park, the Spain coach must omit one or two of his midfield maestros.

But don't expect Cazorla to be one of them.

In 2010, Del Bosque selected the midfielder in his provisional World Cup squad despite an injury-hit campaign at Villarreal. The player was thrilled. "Just to be called up is a reward," he said. And although he was ultimately left behind, it had been a sign: Get fit and there is a place for you here.

Since then, Cazorla has been virtually ever-present in Spain's squads. Back in shape and back to his best, the midfielder is ready to repeat the role he played in Euro 2008 - that of a luxury leader waiting in the wings to orchestrate openings and dismantle defences.

Perhaps, however, Cazorla could be in line for a more pivotal part in La Roja's quest for a third title in succession. With Xavi feeling fatigue following another season of exhasting endeavour, Cesc Fabregas looking below his best in the second half of the campaign and other midfield men - such as Andres Iniesta, David Silva and Juan Mata - possibly promoted to more advanced areas, Spain could use some fresh faces in their midfield - particulary with a game every few days in the continental competition.

Approaching his peak at 27, with 40 caps to his name and blossoming into one of Spain's finest footballers, Cazorla is primed for a special role with La Roja this summer. Step forward, Santi.