Ross Jackson

Spain thrilled the rest of Europe with free flowing football, a blend of youthful talent, exuberance and wise old heads that steadied the good ship.

Victory after victory followed with Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, Liverpool’s Fernando Torres and Valencia’s David Villa stealing the limelight thanks to performances of the highest calibre.

But behind every great attacking team, there must a balancing factor; a defensive lynchpin to keep the backdoor bolted shut and act as a platform on which the creative men can express themselves.

As a result, a new star was born in the latter stages of Euro 2008; a name that may not be household now, but will be for years to come.

That name is Marcos Senna.

The Villareal star has been a revelation in the Spanish side with his combative style of play, not common in La Liga, and fantastic reading of the game that helps him break up opposition attacks with consummate ease.

Essentially he is the Spanish equivalent of Claude Makelele, and equally as gifted; high praise indeed.

Of course the 31-year-old would not blow his own trumpet like other stars might, instead opting to get his head down and assume the role of quiet assassin, snuffing out the opposition moves toward the back four.

Acting as a shield for the men behind, Senna is a master of his art and showed his true worth against the Italians in the quarter finals.

Against a team who have made defending a stereotype, Senna not only looked like he should be wearing a blue shirt but did a much better job than his counterparts.

And in a game dominated by the desire not to concede, Senna shone and showed the world exactly why the big clubs have reserved a season ticket at El Madrigal for their scouts in recent years.

Brazilian-born, Senna joined the Spanish side in 2002 from Sao Caetano and has been one of the first names on the teamsheet, even with illustrious team mates like Diego Forlan and Juan Roman Riquelme.

The resolve of the La Liga side will surely be tested now the tournament is over as rumours persist that the big boys of Europe circle Villareal like vultures.

Manchester United were apparently interested in acquiring his services at a time when Sir Alex Ferguson was searching for a holding midfielder to stabilise his side which was top heavy with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

He instead opted for Anderson from Porto at an extortionate price reported to be around the £18m mark. He then signed Owen Hargreaves in a similar deal when the wiser money must surely have been on a cut price deal for the Spanish international.

For once Mr Ferguson wasted a bit of the vast wealth at his disposal.

Although the central midfielder is the wrong side of 30, the position he relishes playing only requires him to move over a 30 yard distance which means he can play well on into his thirties, again like the evergreen Makelele.

So a big move may still be in the offing for the ageing Senna, and there are plenty of clubs on the lookout for a good holding man.

Arsenal, who recently lost Mathieu Flamini, are the latest team to be linked and he would add a steel which could edge the Gunners ever closer to the Premier League crown.

Cheslea may wish to replace Claude Makelele as his takes another step closer to retirement.

Inter Milan have a new man in charge in Jose Mourinho and he will be acutely aware of Patrick Vieira’s advancing years and may look to Senna who proved he is more than a match for any midfield quartet in Serie A.

And whenever a player with the slightest hint of quality becomes available, Real Madrid and Barcelona are always interested.

New Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola knows all about the art of defending the back four and may well admire Senna’s abilities, with Barca in desperate need of more steel after a season when at times, the Catalans wobbled more than a jelly in an earthquake.

As the transfer rumour mill kicks into overdrive, expect to hear plenty of tales regarding the future destination of Marcos Senna.

He will surely be a summer bargain, but for who is the big question.