#12 Carlos Abad-Hernández Trujillo
The 21-year old goalkeeper is the first-choice keeper at Real Madrid Castilla and is currently on loan from Tenerife. The Spaniard came through Tenerife’s youth ranks and played for their B team before joining Real Madrid on a two-year loan deal in 2015.
The 6’4” keeper uses his height to full advantage in goal and has a useful combination of good reflexes, calming presence that makes him an excellent goalkeeper in one-on-one situations as well.
His chances depend on Madrid signing him permanently and at least making him a backup to the rumoured signing of David de Gea from Manchester United as current first team keeper Keylor Navas is set to be replaced.
#11 Lin Liangming
Lin is the star of China’s under-20 side and is the first Asian player to sign for Real Madrid. The 19-year old was signed in 2015 from Guangzhou R&F in 2015 and is a gifted winger with pace, directness and power.
The Chinese player is playing in his first season for Real Madrid Castilla and the club have rejected offers close to €10 million for the winger. While making it to the first team at Real Madrid could prove to be an arduous task, Lin can definitely become a good player at a European club for sure.
#10 Nikolaos Vergos
On loan from Greek club Olympiacos, Nikos is a tall centre-forward with good finishing abilities and is great in the air. He has won the Superleague Greece and the Greek Cup with Olympiacos as well. The striker has scored 5 goals this season for Real Madrid Castilla so far.
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The 21-year old needs to make his move permanent and step up further if he has to play at the Santiago Bernabeu, and given he provides a different attacking dimension, he could have a chance.
#9 Abner Felipe Souza De Almeida
The player tipped to become the next Roberto Carlos for Real Madrid, Abner started out at Brazilian club Coritiba before joining Real Madrid in 2014. The 20-year old is a hard-working left-back who likes to bomb forward, a trait similar to first team left-back Marcelo.
Abner is also a good striker of the ball and is expected to make the grade at Madrid. Despite his ability, it is a little-known fact that he considered retiring after three major knee injuries in the last few years dampened his morale and confidence.
However, then reserves manager Zidane was the reason why he completed his rehabilitation and came on to have a fine season this year.
#8 Luca Fernández
One of the sons of Zidane, Luca has decided to pursue a career between the sticks unlike his father, who was a legendary No. 10. The 18-year old joined Madrid’s youth setup in 2004 and has steadily risen through the system. He joined the Castilla team this season and made 8 appearances for the side before picking up a shoulder injury in early March that ruled him out of the season.
His potential came to the fore in January against Amorebieta, where Luca made a double save that showcased his reflexes and bravery. If he continues to grow in this fashion and improve upon his strengths of being strong in the air and in one-on-one situations, a first team debut could be on the cards in the near future.
#7 Alvaro Tejero Sacristan
Tejero was one of Zidane’s most trusted lieutenants during the Frenchman’s time in charge of Real Madrid Castilla and the 20-year old is a constant in the starting XI, having played 26 games so far this season. A utility player who is primarily a right-back, he played at left-back in the Copa del Rey clash against Leonesa last November.
The Spaniard has been with Real Madrid since 2005 and is known for his crossing skills as well as a liking to shoot from distance. He was a part of Madrid’s pre-season tour to North America last summer and made substitute appearances against Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
Currently on the fringes of the first team, but given the lack of quality depth, plus Zidane’s faith in his ability, Tejero definitely has a chance to make his mark at the capital club.
