Iago Falque Is Finally Fulfilling His Early Promise with Genoa

For years, it seemed as if Iago Falque was an eternal prospect, a player undoubtedly bestowed with talent but unable to capitalise on his own ability. This season, at the age of 25, the technical Spaniard appears finally to be living up to his early billing.

The formative stages of Falque’s career saw him bounce around some of Europe’s most esteemed clubs with inauspicious frequency. Beginning with Real Madrid, he soon left for Barcelona, where he would spend much of his growing up at La Masia.

Soon after making his debut for the Catalan giants’ B team, he was on his way again. Falque left Barcelona for Juventus with a 100 percent record. One game, one goal.

Still just 18 years old, Falque was able to say that he had spent time with three of the best teams in Spain and Italy. Two years later, he would add England to his personal career map, showing up in North London to sign for Tottenham, having failed to break into the Juventus first team.

From there came a proliferation of loan spells as Southampton, Almeria and Rayo Vallecano all took him on without signing him permanently.

Life as a footballing nomad must have been getting tiresome for a player who could no longer validate himself as "one to watch." Fortunately, Genoa came calling, and they wanted him for the long term.

Since returning to Italy, Falque has not looked back, though he has often cut inside. Playing on the right of Gian Piero Gasperini’s front three in a 3-4-3 formation, he has looked like the player many had heard of but not yet seen.

In 30 league appearances, Falque has scored 13 goals, and his finishing becomes more assured by the week as his confidence soars.

His majestic left foot has been enhanced by a more clinical edge this season, though this is not to say he has become a goal-poacher.

Genoa don’t always play with a true central reference point up front, though Diego Perotti’s recent injury has made way for more traditional centre-forwards, such as Marco Borriello and Leonardo Pavoletti. Otherwise, the tendency is for Perotti to play as a false nine flanked by inverted wingers: Falque on the right and M’Baye Niang on the left, who venture inward.

This system allows Falque to come in onto his favoured left foot and drive at the opposition defence. It is in such a manner that he scored two of Genoa’s goals in their 4-1 win away to Atalanta last Sunday.

Receiving the ball in the 18-yard box following a turnover of possession in midfield just past the hour mark, Falque went back inside with his first touch and dispatched a shot into the bottom left corner with his second to make it 3-1.

Then, with Atalanta stretched on 72 minutes, Falque ran into space before turning to face up to his marker. Allowed to drift onto his left, he curled in an exquisitely placed finish to end the match as a contest.

It was a sublime goal borne of craft, poise and pinpoint accuracy, showcasing Falque at his best with time and space to operate in.

Although this only acts as confirmation of a gifted individual, it is within the framework of the team that Falque has thrived. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia via Football Italia in early May, he ignored his own performances to focus on the team’s results.

“Goals are the result of good performances. I’m very happy…but I’ve also been very lucky," he said. "What matters is Genoa’s position in the standings. We’re happy and we have to keep going like this to make it into Europe.”

While Genoa chase a place in Europe, ignoring the bureaucratic lapses that may preclude the possibility of competing in UEFA competition, Falque has prospered in a fashion that may make those that let him go in the past take a second glance.

Exactly why Falque failed to receive playing opportunities at previous clubs is unclear and, frankly, confusing when looking at the statistics.

Having let him join Genoa for just €5 million, Tottenham have had to watch as Falque has delivered a level of performance better in many respects than their incumbent attacking players in similar positions.

Per Squawka, Falque has scored more goals per game than either Nacer Chadli or Erik Lamela. He also has a better pass completion percentage than both men, while he creates more chances and plays more key passes per game than Chadli. Overall, his attack score is higher than both.

These are the numbers behind a player who, for the first time in his career, can be considered a key force in an excelling side.

After a career spent travelling from club to club, Falque looks to be laying down roots in Genoa, where he has shed his cumbersome prospect tag. Finally, he is coming of age.