Free-Spirited Nolito Entering Euro 2016 as Spain's Surprise New Weapon

Two weeks ago he was a relative afterthought, and just two days ago he was still only an outside chance. But right now, Nolito is working in twos, and twos change things. 

Wearing a shirt emblazoned with two twos, Nolito has put together two two-goal performances in just two games to storm into the reckoning for Spain's starting XI for the beginning of Euro 2016. On Wednesday, the Celta Vigo star's brace helped Vicente del Bosque's men to a 6-1 thrashing of South Korea, just four days after his pair of strikes kickstarted a 3-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Afterthought?

Outside chance?

Not anymore.

At the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria on Wednesday afternoon, it was Nolito's first goal late in the second half that killed the contest, before his second capped off a Spanish move of characteristic touch and artistry.

For the former, he raced onto Cesar Azpilicueta's ball down the left flank, checking inside to beat a defender and slip a silky shot past goalkeeper Jin-Hyeon Kim. For the latter, he swept home Hector Bellerin's pull-back after Thiago Alcantara's no-look pass and Pedro's back-heel had released the Arsenal defender. 

If there was an element of simplicity to both strikes, that can't be said for his pair on Sunday against Bosnia and Herzegovina: His first that evening came from a curling strike into the top-right corner, while the second arrived from a delicate chip with goalkeeper Asmir Begovic stranded. 

"Nolito inviting Spanish optimism," said Marca on Wednesday. 

"Nolito conducting affairs," added AS. 

Spain might just have a surprise weapon, and that possibility alone is significant. 

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As Vicente del Bosque's men approach this summer's tournament, they are surrounded by a number of new questions in a transitional period, but some familiar ones remain: Which striker is the best fit? How will they kill teams off?

Where will the goals come from?

For years such questions have lingered over La Roja, and when Del Bosque named his provisional 25-man squad for Euro 2016, they intensified. Included in that group were the still-developing Alvaro Morata and the late bloomer Aritz Aduriz, but it was more about those who'd been left out: Paco Alcacer, Spain's leading scorer during qualifying; Diego Costa, the most high-profile striker the country has; Fernando Torres, the rejuvenated former star. 

In all three cases, the rationale was understandable—Alcacer had slumped amid Valencia's struggles, Costa doesn't naturally fit the system and Torres belongs to a Spain era that's passed—but it again leaves Spain to look much the way they've looked for the better part of four years: heavy in midfield but light up front, gifted but a little toothless. 

It's why Nolito's current surge is notable. 

At this summer's UEFA European Championship, it's unlikely that the Spanish will get a glut of goals from one of their two strikers. Del Bosque's intricate, possession-heavy team is simply not set up to solely cater to a central figure, and instead demands that goals are spread across the XI. 

Until this week, that put a requirement on David Silva to score. On Pedro too. Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Thiago were also needed.

But Nolito's form and possible inclusion in the XI could lighten the burden.  

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Indeed, among that group, Nolito is comfortably the most natural goalscorer and adds a threat from out wide that's unique.

In 2015-16, the 29-year-old netted 12 times from the left wing in La Liga for Celta Vigo, despite having his season interrupted by injury at the half-way point. Those 12 strikes took his three-year tally at Balaidos to 39—a similar league scoring rate to, say, Alexis Sanchez at Arsenal—and also stood as the fifth-highest mark in the Primera Division among players who didn't operate as central strikers. 

The four in front of him: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Gareth Bale. 

But Nolito's worth is about more than just numbers. 

As a left-winger, the former Barcelona B player possesses an alluring cocktail of a skill set. He functions excellently as an outlet who's prepared to maintain width, but is also a potent weapon when cutting inside. With the ball at his feet, he can tie defenders in knots. He's also surprisingly quick across the ground, and his shooting blends power with eye-catching finesse. 

More than anything, though, there's a free-spirited feeling to Nolito. To watch him is to observe a player who seems unburdened by rules, instructions and systems. Instead, he plays, weaves, shoots and scores with instinct and a sense of freedom.

In a way, he crystallises the mentality of Eduardo Berizzo's Celta, who play with a verve and an adventure that has made them one of La Liga's most joyful sides to watch. 

Nolito can bring that to Spain. He can add something—something else. 

Prior to the winger's goals this week, it seemed likely Del Bosque would opt for Silva (right) and Pedro (left) either side of Morata up front for Spain's tournament opener against the Czech Republic. Lucas Vazquez was another option, as was pushing Iniesta forward.

Yet regardless, the setup looked light on goals: Iniesta is far more effective in midfield than on the wing; Silva is a creator first, scorer second; Vazquez's strength is industry rather than creativity; Pedro is coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career. 

But Nolito, in twos, is changing things. 

Alongside Morata, the Celta forward gives La Roja two natural scorers across the front line rather than one. If used in conjunction with Aduriz as well—in the second half against South Korea, Del Bosque experimented with a two-striker system, with Nolito on the left side of a four-man midfield—he can give his side a far more potent look than it's had in quite some time. 

Two weeks ago, he looked like a player Del Bosque would use as a Plan B in second halves. But suddenly, he's looking like Plan A.

"Nolito stating his case loud and clear," said AS. "The ace in Vicente Del Bosque's pack," it added. 

After his two goals against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nolito was asked about his prospects at this summer's tournament. "Dreaming is free," he replied. "I'm available for the boss, who is the one who makes the decisions."

A decision in this case looks like a simple one now. 

Twos change things.