5 players who will become a household name after this La Liga season

The 2017/18 La Liga season is nearly upon us and the whole world is eagerly anticipating watching its beloved stars again. Stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have already announced themselves to the world, but the future is here and new stars must make themselves known.

There are many talented players making a living in Spain today but not all have announced themselves on the grand stage. All they need to do now is gather all their best traits and translate them into one exceptional season.

Here are 5 players who will become a household name after this La Liga season.

#5 Iñaki Williams

As the first ever black player to score for Athletic Bilbao, Iñaki Williams is poised to become a household name in La Liga. The attacking forward is a rare blend of pace, agility, skill and power. The 23-year old not only loves to run with the ball down wide channels, he loves engaging in aerial duels through the middle too.

Despite naturally being a striker, Williams was forced to show his versatility last season by playing on the wing. That’s because his intelligence off the ball helps provide passing options for his midfield teammates.

Even from the flanks, he was able to directly contribute to 10 goals in 31 starts last year. This will be the season the Spaniard born Ghanaian takes his stock to new heights.

#4 Lucas Hernández

Hernandez made his debut for Athletico in 2014

José Giménez is already a household name down at the Wanda Metropolitano but his fellow young centre-back Lucas Hernández has yet to reach such status. The 21-year old was slowly introduced to the footballing world last season as Diego Simeone handed him 13 league starts.

Lucas Hernández is a hybrid of many talents, like all Atletico defenders he’s very competent in man marking and defending in a system. He’s dominant in the air and strong in the tackle.

However, unlike most Atletico defenders, Hernández is very confident on the ball and loves to surge with the ball into midfield. At just 21 years of age, Hernández is primed and ready to become the next top centre back in world football.

#3 Aymeric Laporte

Laporte maintained 84% pass accuracy last season.

The French youngster has often flirted with the idea of becoming a world class talent but it’s never fully manifested for him. Now at the age of 23, Laporte has built up enough experience to translate into commanding performances.

Laporte excels in everything a defender should, he’s good at; aerial duels, tackling, marking, interceptions and passing out from the back.

His consistently dominant performances last year helped push Athletic Bilbao to a 7th place finish. Now Laporte has the foundation laid to excel into that of household status.

#2 Saúl Ñíguez

Saul has made over 90 appearances for Atletico Madrid

Saúl has been a familiar name in Spanish football for a few seasons now, but household-name status has still not been achieved. His ability to play exceptionally well in several positions makes him unique in the world of football today.

We’ve seen the Spaniard evolve from a wide midfielder into a holding midfielder, back into a wide midfielder.

The midfielder was shown to be special when he made his professional debut at the tender age of 17 back in 2012. Fast forward five years and the midfielder is a firm fixture of Diego Simeone’s rigid 4-4-2 system. His tendency to press hard off the ball and work hard on it is the reason why he’ll show the world why he’s the next Arturo Vidal.

#1 Marco Asensio

Asensio played at Espanyol before Real Madrid

Get ready, because Marco Asensio is about to take the world by storm. Last season, Zinedine Zidane slowly introduced the prodigy to the world by giving him 11 starts in La Liga, in which he scored 3 goals.

With the likes of James Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata now moved on to greener pastures, there’s more room than ever for the youngster to shine at the Bernabéu. It’s clear Zidane rates him highly and his ability to play anywhere across the front 6 is a vital asset for any manager to possess.

The club’s valuation of the Spaniard can be seen by the fact that Florentino Perez tied Asensio down to ANOTHER new contract in June and inserted a £300m buyout clause into it this time. Now the 21-year old is ready to push on and become not only the best youngster in the world but the most effective attacking player around.