LaLiga 2018/19: Top 5 U-21 players to watch out for

LaLiga is a destination for some of the world’s best players and it was the arena for Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo - one of the greatest individual battles in sporting history.

However, the league is also a breeding ground for some of the finest talent to have played the game and continues to produce outstanding players.

The likes of David Silva, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata shone in Spain’s top tier before going on to become superstars in the Premier League. It is not just the Spanish players who shone in the league at a very young age.

Antoine Griezmann came through the Academy of Real Sociedad although he’s French and is now one of the best players in the world. Marcelo joined Real Madrid when he was only 19 and is still at the club having established himself as arguably the best left-back in the world. Then there is Samuel Eto’s who came through the Real Madrid academy before going on to win back to back trebles with Barcelona and Inter Milan.

There are several talented youngsters playing for LaLiga clubs and here are the top 5 to watch out for this season.

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#5. Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid agreed on a fee to sign Vinicius a year ago

Vinicius hasn’t played for Real Madrid in an official game but there is a lot of hype surrounding the player as the Los Blancos paid €46m to sign the teenager a year in advance.

The 18-year-old officially became a Real Madrid player this summer and has impressed in preseason.

The Brazilian forward has drawn comparisons with compatriot Neymar for his pace, trickery and dribbling skills. At such a young age, he scored 14 goals in 69 games for Flamengo and 17 goals in 19 games for Brazil U17.

With Cristiano Ronaldo gone, Vinicius will get opportunities to prove himself in the Spanish top tier and it will be interesting to see how he copes with the pressure and expectations.

Many believe Vinicius is one for the future, but Marcelo has stated that he is also one for the present.

“He is the present of Real Madrid, he is on our team. I was 18 when I arrived and Sergio Ramos was 19. He [Vinicius] is a young boy and we want to make him feel at ease and help him. He is the present and future of the club.”

#4. Carlos Soler (Valencia)

Soler is latest in a long list of top players to come through Valencia academy

The likes of David Silva, Isco and Juan Mata played for Valencia before making big moves elsewhere. Carlos Soler is the next Valencia midfielder in line to make a big move.

Soler came through the Valencia academy and made his first-team debut in December 2016. During his time in the academy, he started his career as a prolific striker, moved to an attacking midfield position and later to central midfield.

The 21-year-old became a first team regular in the 2016/17 season and ended the season with 26 appearances across all competitions. The following season, he played 34 games and his performance attracted interest from top European clubs.

Soler is versatile, an excellent passer of the ball with an ability to hold up the ball and also to shoot from distance. Still only 21, he has the potential to follow in the footsteps of many world-class Spanish midfielders.

#3. Maxi Gomez (Celta Vigo)

Gomez scored 17 LaLiga goals last season

Luis Suárez isn’t the only Uruguayan striker who is banging in goals in LaLiga. Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez is the other one.

Gomez joined Celta last summer from Defensor Sporting and it didn’t take long for him to get going at his first club in Europe as he scored a brace on his LaLiga debut against Real Sociedad.

The 21-year-old ended the season with 17 goals and 4 assists in 36 league games. His goal tally was the seventh highest in the league behind only Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suárez, Iago Aspas, Cristhian Stuani and Antoine Griezmann.

Gomez already has seven caps for Uruguay at the senior level and was part of their World Cup squad. He is the long-term replacement for Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.

#2. Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)

Oyarzabal represented Spain aged 19

Antoine Griezmann and Inigo Martinez are two notable names to have graduated from the Real Sociedad academy and Mikel Oyarzabal could be next in line to rise to fame.

The 21-year-old winger has already played 110 games for Sociedad’s first team and scored 24 goals in the process.

Oyarzabal is a quick and slick winger with an eye for goal and impressive finishing ability. The drastic improvement in his goal tally last season is a testament to his improving finishing ability.

The Spaniard scored 14 goals in 43 games across all competitions last season of which 12 were scored in 35 league games. In addition to his goals, he also provided six assists.

Oyarzabal also made his senior debut for Spain aged 19 which shows how highly rated he is in his country.

#1. Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona)

Dembele is the fourth most expensive player in the world

Ousmane Dembele is not just one of the best young talent in LaLiga, he is, in fact, one of the best young players in the world at the moment.

Dembele joined Barcelona last summer for €105 million plus a reported €40 million add-ons. This still makes him the fourth most expensive player in the world at the moment.

The 21-year-old French winger has all the attributes to be a world class winger. He’s quick, can dribble past opponents with ease, is two-footed, can cross, can pick out a pass and has a knack for finding the back of the net.

Dembele joined Barcelona last summer after an outstanding season with Borussia Dortmund but injuries restricted him last season. He was part of France’s World Cup winning squad and is back at Barcelona injury free and full of confidence.

He has started the season on a high after netting a sensational winner against Sevilla in the Supercopa de Espana. This season, it will be interesting to see how much difference he can make for his team if he stays injury free.