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La Liga’s 5th week of fixtures is now complete. So, by now, there have already been plenty of opportunities to see what young players are capable of across Spain’s first division.Returning players that broke onto the scene last season are looking to reinforce their status and cement their role in the team. And exciting new players who flew under the radar last season or have just arrived to Spanish football are already having an impact in La Liga’s early stages. For now, let’s look beyond the promising young players who belong to Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona (including loans). They get enough press as is.Here are 5 youngsters, 21 or younger, that you should keep an eye on outside the big 3.
#1 Dani Ceballos
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Betis’s 19-year-old central midfielder received a lot of attention for the way in which he led Spain to victory in this summer’s 2015 U19 Euros. His footwork may have dazzled the country for la ‘rojita’, but Beticos already knew about him long before his breakout tournament.
He is known for his playmaking, organizational abilities, quick feet in tight spaces and decisive passes. Having barely featured for Betis B, he quickly became a part of Pepe Mel’s side that won promotion. That he was let go by crosstown rivals Sevilla only makes his potential success that much sweeter for the passionate Betis supporters. So far, he has found himself adjusting to the professional game.
If fellow U19 stars Asensio and Mayoral are any indication, Ceballos may not be at Betis for much longer.
#2 Jonny Castro
Celta are off to a flying start. They are playing intense, attacking, aesthetically pleasing football. Their incredibly convincing 4-1 victory over FC Barcelona is just the latest, most obvious example. The 21-year-old Galician full back Jonny Castro has played an important part in that.
Able to play either right or left back, he has made the left back position his own in Celta’s surprise campaign last year. This despite the fact that he is predominantly right footed.
He often overlaps Nolito on the left to join in attack and defends well in one vs. one scenarios against opposing teams’ wingers. Having been a constant feature of the Spanish national team’s youth sides, Del Bosque called Jonny up for a friendly earlier this year.
#3 Zakaria Bakkali
The 19-year-old Belgian signed for Valencia this summer after becoming the youngest Eredivisie player of all-time to score a hat-trick for PSV. The expectations are high. Perhaps the most recognizable name of the players mentioned so far, the young winger has a difficult task ahead of him.
Valencia has struggled in their return to Champions League football. They haven’t been able to balance playing regularly in two elite competitions. Pressure is growing on Nuno, and the tricky Bakkali could be the answer for a coach looking to change things up.
Established wingers Feghouli, Rodrigo and Piatti are his direct completion, as is new signing and fellow youngster Santi Mina who joins after a successful spell at Celta. To jumpstart his career in a tougher league, Bakkali must prove to Nuno that he is not a risk, but rather a valuable alternative.
#4 Samu Castillejo
Making his debut at left wing this week for Villarreal, the 20-year-old Castillejo is one of the two Samus that left Malaga for ‘the yellow submarine’.
His best qualities are his control of the ball, dribbling skills, and the ease at which he gets by defenders in one vs. one scenarios. His defensive work rate is also worthy of praise thanks to his former coach Javi Gracia at Malaga.
However, his goal-scoring rate may become a worry, having scored only once for Malaga last season in 34 games. He can, at times, be too individualistic. If he can translate his technical ability into something more, and grow into a well-rounded player under Villarreal manager Marcelino Toral, he might be able to prove that the jump up to a club of Villarreal’s stature isn’t too big a task for a player of his potential.
#5 Antonio Sanabria
The 19-year-old Paraguayan forward on loan from AS Roma at Sporting Gijon should not be confused with Getafe’s Sanabria. Anyhow, for Sporting manager “Pitu” Abelardo, he turns to Antonio Sanabria to lead a young defensive team in need of goals.
In second division last season, Abelardo’s Gijon surprised everybody with its compact organization and sturdy defense, achieving promotion against all odds. Offensively, Barcelona loanee Alen Halilovic will get all of the attention. Yet more of the pressure is actually on Sanabria- the former Masia product- to convert chances into goals with Halilovic on the right wing in Abelardo’s 4-4-2.
In the first five games, this goal-scoring shortage continues to be the biggest concern, even as their solid defensive record continues. Whether Sporting stays up might be as simple as looking at Sanabria’s goalscoring tally at the end of the season. Two goals against Deportivo in a 2-3 midweek victory are a good sign.
