It is true that Lionel messi just left; However, LaLiga remains full of talented footballers, and many of them still have a whole career ahead of them. In a circuit that continuously produces and trains young talent (including Ansu Fati, Pedri, Marco Asensio Y Jules kounde in recent years), Spanish soccer’s Primera División appears to have a steady stream of budding talent.
With so many highly sought-after young men poised to take on bigger roles in the campaign looming, ESPN’s resident talent screener Tor-Kristian Karlsen chooses some of the best players ages 22 and under who could make their mark on this novel. season.
Few players in LaLiga would dare challenge the Nigerian international, who missed the Europa League final due to a hamstring injury. Chukwueze (an entertaining footballer, thanks to his agile movements and security on the pitch) is about to play his 100th LaLiga match despite the fact that he just turned 22 last May. Chukwueze, who plays primarily as a right winger, prefers to go further in with his left foot, although his adventures occasionally lead him to lose possession of the ball.
While he remains overly reliant on his left foot, Chukeueze remains a threat thanks to his unpredictable movements, intense style of play, rapid changes of direction with his body and sharpness for penetrating passes.
It could be said that the Brazilian is the least loud of the recent summer signings at the Camp Nou. Despite this, the defender must be a strong rival of the American Sergino Dest for the position of titular right back. Emerson was signed “jointly” by Barcelona and Real Betis in the summer of 2019 and has spent the last two seasons at the Andalusian club, constantly preparing to take the leap and play for the Catalan giants.
Although Dest is a more refined footballer (being more confident in possession of the ball and more creative in his passing), Emerson can be equaled in athletic condition with the North American; showing greater inclination to make crosses, instead of moving the ball throughout the final third. A very solid defender, but also extremely strong in the passing game. Emerson made three appearances for his country’s national team at the Copa América held last month.
The Swede is surrounded by high expectations after a promising campaign and a Euro 2020 in which he made an impression, despite not scoring. The former child prodigy, who is barely 21 years old, maintains a steady pace of development that will lead him to become the complete center forward predicted by many. Although he draws more attention for his passing game, Isak also has rhythm and a sense of the times, to become a real entertainer and overwhelm rival defenders.
As Isak has improved his technical skills, he has also become a more collective-minded player, taking on ever greater defensive responsibilities. You should be well aware that many higher-level clubs will be following you very closely this season.
Diego Lainez | 21 years | Forward | Real Betis
The Mexican has not yet reached the level that his immense potential promises, after his substantial pass for € 12 million ($ 14 million), being the second most expensive transfer for a player who graduated from Liga MX after leaving Club America in January 2019. However, this could well be the season that the left-handed winger finally makes an appearance in European football.
Lainez, who is primarily a creative forward who prefers to operate as a reversed winger and dabble down the right wing, has struggled to cause more than occasional impacts in his appearances.He has shown flashes of inspiration in the final third on rare occasions, though he may need to. Keep working on the physicality of your game if you want to take control.
The South Korean is a graduate of the Valencia youth academy (after moving to Spain when he was 10 years old). The unofficial and versatile left-handed striker has every chance to move up this season. The winner of the Golden Ball of the U-20 World Cup in 2019 returns to his club full of security after scoring three goals for his country’s team at the Tokyo Olympics.
During last summer, this player known for his technical skills, agility and energy was on the verge of signing for FC Salzburg (amid rumors that spoke of interest on the part of Juventus and Borussia Dortmund); however, the transaction fell due to the firmness of Valencia in asking for € 40 million for his pass. Lee, who has a year left on his current contract, could soon become a major target if he gets off to a good start to the season.
After being constantly the subject of rumors of interest from various European clubs in recent summers, the arrival of the Mexican striker to LaLiga was a matter of time. Considering all the attention Macías has garnered since he made his first appearance in football when he was 19 years old, perhaps he aspired to sign for a more renowned club than Getafe; However, his transfer (with reports that speak of a purchase option for € 4 million for 50% of the rights of his transfer) will be a strong test for the forward.
Despite a slight drop in level experienced since the beginning of the year when he wore the Chivas jersey; Macías in his best moments is an instinctive and born finisher, capable of scoring with both legs comfortably.
Hiring the Brazilian without paying for his pass could be a canny negotiation on the part of the current LaLiga champion. Despite being born in Rio de Janeiro and having played his entire club career in his native country, the striker characterized by his speed, strong physique and skill (apart from well-synchronized heels) also possesses Portuguese nationality, playing for the national team. Portuguese at the youth level.
It is possible that Marcos Paulo, who probably arrives at Wanda as a bet for the future, accumulates action with Diego “Cholo” Simeone’s first team progressively. That said, the 20-year-old striker (who prefers to play on the left to create or define with the right hand, with which he has greater strength) seems to have enough potential to one day become a regular piece of the Atleti XI.
Yunus Musah | 18 years | Midfielder | Valencia
The American, who grew up between Italy and England (and played with the Arsenal youth academy), was one of the revelation teenagers of the previous season and aspires to make more noise in the coming season. With five appearances with the United States senior team, the player accumulated an impressive 17 starts as a starter in LaLiga wearing the Valencia jersey in the 2020-21 tournament, making forays as a substitute in another 15 games, which speaks volumes about its high value within the club’s coaching staff.
Musah, primarily known as a lively right-hand midfielder, though also capable of operating in the middle; He is an excellent ball carrier, with excellent rhythm and balance; apart from being a keen dribbler (sometimes excessively), he enjoys taking on opponents in any area of the field.
Yeremi pine | 18 years | Forward | Villarreal
Despite being primarily used by Villarreal as a high-impact substitute during his first season in senior football, the 18-year-old surprised him by receiving a spot in the starting XI from Unai Emery in the Europa League final. By the way, this made Pino the youngest champion in the history of the competition. The exciting winger, a native of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is able to operate on both wings (being right-handed), and frequently brings rhythm and determination to Villarreal’s attack, thanks to his willingness to duels, assiduously overwhelming rival defenders.
Pino, who has already played with La Rojita under-21, was also called up to the senior team for the friendly against Lithuania prior to Euro 2020.
Martin Zubimendi | 22 | Midfielder | Real society
Another emerging talent from the San Sebastian-based club. The defensive midfielder finished the previous season with a high price, before adding a series of solvent performances with the Spanish team that participated this summer in the Tokyo Olympics, taking the silver medal. Zubimendi, who was coached in youth by Xavi Alonso, evokes his mentor when he plays as a “provider”, keeping the ball moving from his stowed position in midfield.
The midfielder, characterized by his agility and judgment, is efficient when intercepting and breaking the game of his rivals; being able to maintain calm in pressure situations. He is also purposeful in his passing, frequently seeking to capture moves higher up during the first few moves of his team’s plays.