Was in the squad but wasnt a first teamer with Spain. Think he only started one game in the world cup that year and appeared in one or two others.
He wasn't starting because a couple of blokes called Andres, Xavi, Xabi and Sergio were all ahead of him. Was still an A-grade at the time you signed him.
He was highly rated but hadn't really made it at that stage.
Except most Spanish pundits thought he was world class at Valencia and one of the best midfielders in La Liga along with being a WC winner. If that's not your definition of "making it" then you must have sky high expectations.
And there were plenty of doubts that he would be able to play in England.
Unless you're Paul Merson who probably thinks big muscles>big brain, then no, you knew he'd be a jet in England.