LaLiga 2018/18: 5 young players to watch out for

LaLiga is one of the most watched leagues on the planet, and it is clear why. Scintillating football is played week-in, week-out in Spain, and there are some superstars in LaLiga who really draw in the crowds from around the world.

Last week, the new season got underway, and it was as entertaining as ever. Last season’s title winners Barcelona got off to a winning start, beating Alaves 3-0, as Lionel Messi scored twice.

Real Madrid began the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era with a 2-0 win over Getafe. It was also a winning start for new manager Julen Lopetegui, who replaced Zinedine Zidane after his shock resignation just days after the Champions League final. Atletico Madrid, who are likely to be up there come the end of the season, began their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Valencia.

There are still a lot of questions to be answered by these sides this season. We will have to wait to see how Real will cope with the exit of Ronaldo, who has been such a crucial player for them over a number years at the Bernabeu. Barcelona romped to the title last year and came within two games of going unbeaten. But they were well short in terms of European success, so it will be interesting to see whether they plan to focus more on that this season.

LaLiga is known for the superstars, the likes of Messi and Ronaldo that we saw last season. However, there seems to be a lack of that this season, particularly given the departure of Ronaldo to Juventus. There do seem to be some excellent players coming through the ranks though, and here are five youngsters to keep an eye on this season.

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#5 Arthur (Barcelona)

Arthur was a star performer for Gremio in Brazil last season

Barcelona paid £35 million to bring Brazilian midfielder Arthur to the club this summer. He signed a six-year deal at the club after joining from Gremio and will hope to make a big impact at the Camp Nou. Arthur is likely to have a big role to play at Barcelona this season, particularly given the exits of fellow midfielders Paulinho, Andres Iniesta and Andre Gomes.

He is still only 21 but looks to be perfectly suited to Barcelona’s style of play. He is excellent on the ball and is an accomplished passer. His 93.1% passing accuracy was the most by any player in the Brasileirao last season, and he will hope to put in a similar level of performance at Barcelona this season. He will be a like-for-like replacement for Andres Iniesta, so has big boots to fill, but is more than capable of doing so.

#4 Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Vinicius was superb in his time with Flamengo

There is an awful lot of fuss being made about Vinicius Jr in the press at the moment. He agreed to join Real Madrid in 2017 in a deal worth a quite incredible £38.7 million, despite being just 16. He was only able to officially join Real Madrid this summer though because he was unable to move abroad until he was 18 years of age.

The teenager is certainly a terrific prospect and is likely to be involved in the first team at Real this season. He is capable of playing down the middle as a striker, or on either flank, meaning he gives Real options in attack. He already has an impressive goal record on the international stage. He has appeared 19 times for Brazil’s U-17 side, scoring 17 goals. He may not be a first choice player at the Bernabeu this season given his age, but he will hope to make an impact when given the opportunity this season.

#3 Ferran Torres (Valencia)

Torres became the first player born in the 21st century to play in LaLiga in December

He isn’t a familiar name, but it won’t be long until a lot of people have heard of Ferran Torres. He has already made history in LaLiga, having become the first player born in the 21stcentury to appear in the top division of Spanish football when he made his debut in December. Since that debut, Torres has appeared 16 times for Valencia and has drawn interest from the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Valencia have tied him down to a long-term deal to keep him at the Mestalla, but if he keeps on performing at the highest level, it won’t be long before the big clubs come calling again. He isn’t quite your typical Spanish player. He is a direct winger, who likes to go past players and deliver balls into the box. However, he is the sort of player Spain may be happy to see coming through, especially given the predictable, one-dimensional approach the national side used during the World Cup in Russia.

#2 Rodri (Atletico Madrid)

Rodri made the £20 million move to Atletico earlier this summer

Atletico have an excellent record of nurturing young players and turning them into superstars, and they will be hoping to do the same with midfielder Rodri. This is actually Rodri’s second spell with Atletico. He joined the club initially in 2007 at the age of 11 but was released in 2013 after being deemed to have a lack of physical strength. Now he has proven himself in LaLiga though, he is back in Madrid.

Atletico paid £20 million to sign Rodri from Villarreal earlier this summer. The move had been on the cards for a number of months, so it was no surprise when the deal was announced in May. He has big boots to fill though, having joined the club as a replacement for former captain Gabi, who has been such an inspirational figure at the club in recent years, before he left to join Al Sadd in Qatar this summer.

#1 Carlos Soler (Valencia)

Soler established himself in the Valencia side last season

Soler is a man who has already established himself at Valencia, but at 21, there is certainly a big future ahead of him. He has done an excellent job in centre midfield at Valencia, but he is still very much a raw talent, so has a lot of work to do if he is to fulfil his undoubted potential. There is a reason why he has been linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United though.

Last year was an excellent season for Valencia, as they finished 4thunder new manager Marcelino, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in three years, after two seasons of bottom half finishes. Soler will hope to take this chance to show off his skills at the highest level, as well as continue to improve his partnership with Geoffrey Kondogbia, which flourished last season.