Julen Lopetegui will feel like one of the luckiest national team managers in world football after taking over from Vicente del Bosque after Euro 2016, with La Liga offering a wealth of young, talented options to have at his disposal.
Along with one Dane and a French left-back, here is the next crop of youngsters who are set to enjoy long and successful careers in the game, with things looking rather rosy for La Roja. Interestingly, not one of the players below currently plying his trade at one of the division’s top two teams, but Real Madrid do hold the rights to one of the brighter prospects to keep a close eye on.
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#1 Alvaro Odriozola
After grabbing two assists for Spain’s U21 side against Denmark recently, the Real Sociedad right-back is going from strength to strength. Flung into his domestic side by Eusebio as a result of an early-season injury to Carlos Martinez, the 21-year-old hasn’t looked back and has made the position entirely his own.
Tireless with his running, possessing a turn of pace to overlap with intent, Odriozola also has the eye for an intelligent cross as he gallops towards the byline and is comfortable on the ball.
#2 Yeray Alvarez
The most in-form defensively-minded centre-back that Spain have available to them this season, but has been outshone by Sergio Ramos’ goalscoring numbers. After suffering from testicular cancer before the turn of the year, Alvarez has come back into Athletic Bilbao’s side seamlessly since his recovery and reads the game fantastically well.
Calm on the ball and strong in the air, there is a composed side to his game which brings a certain calm to Athletic Bilbao’s back four. He has certainly outperformed Aymeric Laporte by a huge margin this campaign and looks an outside pick for a not-so-distant senior cap for Spain.
#3 Dani Ceballos
Without Dani Ceballos, it would be tough to see the direction in which Real Betis would be going this season. After being frozen out by Gus Poyet, Victor Sanchez hasn’t made the same mistake as his predecessor and let the 20-year-old dictate play in central midfield.
His range of passing is excellent, as is the incisive nature of his creativity. Ceballos always wants the ball and is prepared to take risks, whether it be long cross field passes to open up play, or neat fizzed balls through the opposition lines. With a release clause of around €13 million, Betis will need to get the Spaniard tied down to a new deal quickly.
#4 Victor Camarasa
Comfortable as a second striker, or a more offensive central midfielder, Victor Camarasa has offered real drive to Alaves’ counter-attacking presence this season. Equally happy to drop deeper into midfield offer an extra passing option or to burst forward at pace with the ball at his feet, the Levante-owned Spain U21 is another player certain to be moving permanently at the end of the campaign.
He offers energy and physicality, as well as a neat and adventurous technical side to his game.
#5 Marcos Llorente
The on-loan Real Madrid midfielder has lit up La Liga with Alaves, and boasts some of the highest statistics for winning the ball back in the middle of the park for his teammates, but never turns to rash or malicious challenges.
Born into a family of Real Madrid greats, Marcos Llorente has the genetics to back up his clamours for a first-team place at Los Blancos, with his immense physical capacity and drive setting him up well for a fight to feature at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as more than just a visitors next season.
#6 Theo Hernandez
The imposing frame of the Alaves left-back hurtling down the left-hand side to the byline has become a regular sight in La Liga since the young Frenchman opted to take a loan deal to prove himself to parent club Atletico Madrid. His competitive streak has guaranteed a lot of bookings, but as a raw talent, he naturally has a few edges that need polishing.
Hernandez possesses a real turn of pace, with the manner of his explosive sprints upfield having a certain look of Gareth Bale about them. Capable of getting forward to support attacks, or to even lead quick breaks upfield himself, Hernandez is a finely-tuned athlete with a dangerous left foot in his armoury. After a fantastic season with Alaves, first-team minutes under Diego Simeone is the first thing that he deserves ahead of what promises to be a very bright future.
#7 Saul Niguez
After impressing in both the Champions League and LaLiga at Atletico Madrid, Saul has the foundations in place to be a versatile player for both club and country for many years to come. Comfortable as a narrow wide man or a central midfielder, he has the technical ability to both retain possession and dance forwards with neat close control.
While he doesn’t have the personality to dominate games, he has the talent to contribute key details at important times. Under Diego Simeone, Saul has proven himself to be responsible and able to stick to task and follow instruction, but beyond the rigid edge of Atletico’s system over the last few years, the Spaniard has the invention and creativity to offer expression above and beyond his assigned duty.
#8 Mikel Oyarzabal
Real Sociedad’s 19-year-old wide man has been the first choice from the very start of the current La Liga campaign, with his creativity, neat footwork and close control standing out as the key facets of his game from out on the left-hand side. The Spaniard enjoys drifting infield and is comfortable playing within tight spaces, with the ability and confidence to try deft through balls and interplay within congested areas of the field.
He is yet to add a goalscoring touch his game, but six assists and a consistent performance level is no mean feat for one so young in one of the division’s surprise team packages this season.
#9 Kepa
After Pepe Reina’s recent injury while on international duty with Spain, Athletic Bilbao’s Kepa was the man chosen by Julen Lopetegui to step into the void of third-choice goalkeeper behind David De Gea and Sergio Rico. A groin problem kept him out for a considerable period, but since returning in March he has quickly settled back into the role of being Los Leones’ first choice.
Gorka Iraizoz made mistakes and proved erratic in his absence, but the returning 22-year-old shows maturity and composure beyond his years. A sharp shot-stopper and agile enough to get down low to make reflex saves, 2017 will be Kepa’s true breakout year.
#10 Riza Durmisi
Betis have picked up one of the league’s bargains of the season, after snapping up 23-year-old Riza Durmisi from Danish club Brondby in the summer for around €2 million. The offensively-minded left-back is diligent and responsible with the defensive side of his game but is offered further protection by the fact that Victor Sanchez uses three central defenders.
With his mind put at ease by additional cover inside him, Durmisi is released to do what he likes best - push forward. Technically, the Dane is a neat and tidy dribbler, with an excellent left foot for deliveries from both deep and the byline. In a system that asks wing-backs to provide the orthodox threat from the flanks, the attacking license that he has been entrusted with suits him down to the ground.
