4-La-Liga-Talents

Last season was very competitive for talent in La Liga, as we saw several young attacking players compete in their debut seasons for their respective clubs. Individuals such as Antonio Sanabria and Paco Alcacer were the standout names from 2015/16 who will be expected to make an even bigger impact during the forthcoming campaign. 

It’s time to take a closer look at  four other young players who are expected to make an impact during the 2016/17 campaign.

Mikel Oyarzabal – Real Sociedad

After being promoted to the first team last summer by David Moyes, Mikel Oyarzabal has been a bright spark, despite the fact the overall team performance left a lot to be desired. The 19-year-old’s hard work was rewarded with a call-up to the national squad by Vicente del Bosque and he played 30 minutes against Switzerland in a friendly match.

The key test for the winger will be to see if he can replicate his performances from last season, especially when the competition for a place in the starting line-up will increase this year. Oyarzabal slowly became a favourite for manager, Eusebio Sacristan, who picked him for the first team on 16 occasions during the second half of the campaign.

He has the natural ability that could see him develop into one of the best wingers in the league, and if he continues to command a place in the starting line-up, then he has the right foundations in place to allow him to reach his full potential.

Dani Ceballos – Real Betis

Despite only being 19 years old, he made 34 league appearances for Real Betis last season.

Dani Ceballos has turned into a key presence at the heart of midfield, with his ability to defend and attack, giving Gus Poyet the perfect balance for his first team selection. Despite playing in a number of different positions, either wide left or central midfield appear to be his best positions, which has meant that he has drawn comparisons to established La Liga stars Isco and Koke.

If he continues to be an influential player for Real Betis next season, then this will only firm up the reported interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Marco Asensio – Real Madrid

After the success of last season’s loan at Espanyol, Zinedine Zidane will surely give Marco Asensio a chance to prove himself this season. This could possibly begin during the summer, with the manager including him in the squad for the pre-season. The 20-year-old scored ten goals and provided 4 assists during his time at Espanyol and was recognised as the club’s player of the year last season. 

That said it would perhaps be more beneficial for Asensio to be loaned out again next season, considering the wealth of talent that Zidane already has at his disposal. Playing regularly for a mid-table side would do more for his development than being stuck on the Real Madrid bench.

He can be used effectively either as a left winger or central attacking midfielder and represented Espanyol’s key attacking threat last season.

Asensio’s ability to keep possession in tight areas and dribble past players easily, as well as being a playmaker with an eye for a pass, make him very much one to keep an eye on and a potential star for Real Madrid in the years to come.

Jose Naranjo – Celta Vigo

After finishing as Gimnastic de Tarragona’s top goal-scorer last season, on 15 goals, Jose Naranjo earned himself a move to Celta Vigo in June. Before his transfer to La Liga, Newcastle and Aston Villa were also interested in him. The 21-year-old played a big role leading the side to a third place finish in the league, which gained them promotion to the Spanish second tier.

Having secured a move to the top flight of Spanish football Naranjo has the dedication, passion and most importantly talent to make an instant impact. With Celta Vigo’s key player, Nolito, having been sold to Manchester City this summer, it could mean the striker could be called into action straight away.

Naranjo is a goal poacher, similar to Paco Alcacer, who had a fantastic season on a personal level. When he does get his chance in the Celta Vigo first team, don’t be surprised if Naranjo grasps this opportunity with both hands and makes a name for himself in La Liga.

About the author – Asif Norat

Asif is a Manchester United fan, who simply loves the beautiful game. The youngster is a big admirer of the Premier League and La Liga, and also has an eye out for many young talents coming into the footballing world.

twitter: @HerreraTekkers

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Gareth-Bale-Kick-Start

Jackson Martínez – Atlético Madrid

Signed for €30 million in the summer, Atlético’s lust for the Colombian was hinged on the fact that they felt they had a ‘guaranteed’ striker; one who could come in from day one and add the striking firepower necessary for them to challenge for the title again.

After Mario Mandzukic failed to adequately replace Diego Costa in the previous season, the 29-year-old was seen as a safer option in that regard. “Simeone doesn’t want any surprises with his [number] nine this time, and so Jackson has arrived,” wrote Marca’s Alberto Polo, ahead of the season’s initiation.

Except, the ex-Porto man hasn’t been such a safe bet so far. He has scored just three times in 15 appearances for Atlético, and displayed few remnants of the dominance that typified his time in Portugal. But perhaps more pertinently, Jackson has struggled to adapt to the individual demands of Diego Simeone.

The situation isn’t so critical yet, given the recent history of stars taking their time to embrace such ways – namely Antoine Griezmann. But Jackson will have to make a more profound mark before the turn of the New Year, if he’s to stave off the encroaching pressure of Atlético’s other forward options.

Steven N’Zonzi – Sevilla

In a summer where Sevilla spent more money than ever before, Steven N’Zonzi represented one of the key members of their record outlay. Arriving from Stoke City for seven million euros, the 26-year-old appeared an ideal replacement for the departed Stéphane Mbia, and an effective foil to the combative Grzegorz Krychowiak.

But like most of Sevilla’s summer recruits not named Yehven Konoplyanka, the Frenchman is yet to make a defined mark in Andalucia. And what’s more, N’Zonzi has been the team’s most used summer signing in La Liga; starting seven of their 11 games to date, and receiving opportunities that a host of others are vying for.

In the all-encompassing rotation that Unai Emery and Sevilla rely on, particularly in midfield, those flattering to deceive won’t be persisted with for too long. Though the potential for N’Zonzi in the current team still seems exciting, Emery won’t be afraid to go a different route if the former Stoke man doesn’t up the stakes between now and the second half of the campaign.

Gareth Bale – Real Madrid

In a season where Real Madrid’s record signing has barely featured, the Welshman has still unintentionally found himself in the capital’s headlines. Though the reason for Bale’s stop-start campaign is due to injury, some high-profile figures in Madrid have put the blame on the player himself for his lack of fitness; while unfairly questioning his commitment to the club.

“You cost 100m euros Gareth, but you preferred to play 90 minutes against Andorra than play for Madrid,” wrote AS’ Tomas Roncero, after Bale’s participation for Wales prevented him from playing in los Blancos’ forthcoming game. 

In essence, it only serves to underline the fact that Bale still has plenty of work to do to win over the Madridismo. And now he’s healthy again, it’s time for the 26-year-old to become a key contributor in Real Madrid’s quest for honours.

With Cristiano Ronaldo’s form floundering on a rare occasion, the calls for Bale to step up – which seemingly will never go away as long as the Welshman is at the club – would be best served as soon as possible, for his own sake.

Rafael Van Der Vaart – Real Betis

Despite being made one of the highest earners at the time of his summer signing, Rafael Van Der Vaart’s assistance to a Real Betis team fighting to avoid relegation has been almost negligible so far. Through eleven games of the campaign, the Dutchman has appeared in just two of those, without completing ninety minutes in either.

Ahead of his move to Spain, the reports from the Bundesliga indicated the Van Der Vaart was struggling for form and ostensibly on the wane. But even still, followers of the Andalucian outfit are within their rights to expect a little more from a man with 100 international caps to his name, and one who is still only in his early 30’s.

“Betis is the perfect club for me to recover my level of playing,” Van Der Vaart told Marca earlier this month. Now he needs to show it, while letting his performances take pride over the bravado of the high-profile move. Otherwise, the Betis faithful won’t hesitate to retract their hospitality.

 Jonathas – Real Sociedad 

Much like Atlético and Jackson Martínez, the pitting together of Real Sociedad and Jonathas was supposed to give the Basque club a much-needed guarantee in the forward line. He had been prolific in a doomed Elche team last season, while the perceived upgrade in talent around him seemed to point towards a healthy link-up between player and club.

However, the Brazilian quickly fell out of favour under David Moyes, after only a handful of opportunities as the starting striker. In his place, the form of Imanol Aggiretxe has sentenced him to the bench. Or at least, it did.

With Moyes now relieved of his duties, there is a new sheriff in town. Eusebio Sacristán, most recently of Barcelona B, is the new coach at Anoeta, and for Jonathas in particular, it means a new opportunity to revive his campaign before it’s too late.

He might not be able to displace Agirretxe in the starting spot completely, should Eusebio continue the lone forward system, but he can certainly put pressure on the manager in regards to extending his participation.

About the author – Jamie Kemp

Jamie is a freelance sportswriter, who writes on English and Spanish varieties of football in the main. He is also the creator of the popular blog El Rondo; a spot where you can find regular musings on the world of La Liga.

twitter: @jamiekemp

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Imanol-Agirretxe-La-Real

Darko Kovacevic has always been an idol of Imanol Agirretxe’s. When he first began to train with Real Sociedad’s first team back in 2005 as a fresh faced 18-year-old, Agirretxe would closely watch the Serbian maestro, eager to learn as much as possible from him.

It must be said that Kovacevic clearly had an overwhelmingly positive influence in the development of Agirretxe over the two years they enjoyed together, with the Spaniard being the owner of a highly polished, well-rounded game.

Upon hearing Kovacevic speak on the burly centre-forward, it’s easy to see the affection and adulation he holds for his former teammate.

“He has everything,” he said.

“He is a striker who loved me since I met him, and although people say that he’s not the best scorer, whenever he’s given minutes, he’s replied with goals.

If Agirretxe has continuity, he scores goals.”

And with the continuity of spearheading La Real’s attack this season, he’s been unquestionably living up to his old mentor’s billing. He’s already scored eight goals this campaign, more than he did throughout the whole of last season, and finds himself only 3 goals off Neymar in the Pichichi race.

It’s staggering really, and a testament to how outstanding the 28-year-old year has been so far, for he’s played 190 less minutes than the Brazilian. Plus, the fact he’s achieved all this by playing within David Moyes’ stuttering side makes his goal scoring feats all the more impressive.

Last weekend, against high flying Celta Vigo, Agirretxe shone brightly yet again, but unfortunately his brilliant brace wasn’t enough to secure any points on the night, as La Real eventually succumbed to Pablo Hernandez’s late screamer, which delivered a 3-2 win for the Galicians.

Despite the result, the Sociedad striker led the line commandingly, in a match where his craft, experience and physicality combined to make him a hugely challenging proposition for the Celta backline.

Whenever dropping deep to link midfield and attack, Agirretxe oozed class and polish with his back-to-goal combination play. Using his astute one and two touch passing qualities, in tandem with his strength to hold off his opponent, he provided an ideal reference point for Sociedad to generate much of their attacking momentum through.

Crucially, if bypassed or not used in the build-up, the crafty veteran’s intelligent, well angled runs in behind added an additional layer of menace for Eduardo Berizzo’s men to manage.

In situations where the ball was being delivered into the box, his cunning striking instincts shone through emphatically. While the term “fox in the box” is often bandied about with abandon, the phrase certainly rings true for Agirretxe, who’s a real genius at anticipating where to position himself, and how to precisely time his runs, inside the 18 yard box.

The two goals he scored vs. Celta both unsurprisingly came from his masterful know-how inside the area.

Firstly, upon realising David Zurutuza in space out on the left, Agirretxe raised his arm to signal to his teammate that he wanted to be the recipient of an impending delivery into the box. Zurutuza duly obliged Agirretxe’s demand, and whipped in a delightful cross that the forward read perfectly. An accomplished headed finish from Agirretxe followed to cap off the passage fittingly. Celta centre-back, Andreu Fontas, had no chance. The combination of Agirretxe’s superbly timed run and Zurutuza’s cross proved too great an obstacle for the usually solid Fontas to overcome.

Interestingly, this was the third time this term that Zurutuza has supplied an assist for the Sociedad hitman. Having played together for so many years, it comes as no real surprise how well accustomed to each other’s tendencies they are.

His second arrived after a blistering run from left-back, Yuri Berchiche, who scorched past many challengers to find himself in a left of centre location that afforded him an ideal opportunity to pick out his forward. And he did just that, sliding the ball beautifully into the path of Agirretxe, who once again timed his run wonderfully. Even though Berchiche’s pass was travelling at pace across the turf, Agirretxe’s class saw him confidently, cleanly and powerfully dispatch his first-time finish beyond the hapless Sergio Alvarez.

Two goals and two supremely executed finishes from Agirretxe showcased his predatory traits, but that wasn’t all he offered, though.

To further demonstrate his footballing IQ, he’d cunningly drift onto the Celta fullbacks, Jonny and Hugo Mallo, whenever a goal kick arose. By doing so, he ensured he gave himself a major advantage in winning his aerial duels over the smaller fullbacks, as opposed to slugging it out with the bigger centre-backs. Knocking the ball down and flicking it on to the likes of Xabi Prieto, another man he also shares an almost telepathic understanding with, and Carlos Vela, who were timing their runs in the expectation of Agirretxe winning his headers, gave Sociedad another dangerous avenue in which to get at Celta.

Despite losing the contest in heartbreaking fashion, there could be no doubting what a crucial component of David Moyes’ team Agirretxe was. He’s shown this to be the case pretty much all season in truth.

The fact he’s been able to keep exciting summer signing Jonathas and Alfred Finngobason, men who cost the club in excess of €15 million, out of the side is a real testament to how invaluable he’s been for Moyes’ boys.

Although it’s unlikely he’ll go on and beat the likes of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the coveted Pichichi, you know he’ll give absolutely everything for his beloved Real Sociedad, the club where he progressed through the youth system.

Agirretxe’s magnificent start to the season has even seen him break his old mentor’s Sociedad record of scoring seven goals from the first 10 games of a season (which he achieved 13 years ago). With Agirretxe on eight, there’d be no one more proud of his amazing feat than Kovacevic.

It’s a perfect tribute to show his old friend and tutor how far he’s come as a player since those early days learning from the Serbian dynamo.

About the author – Edward Stratmann

Edward Stratmann writes regularly about the on-field aspects of the game, with a particular focus on tactics and analysis. In addition to featuring on These Football Times, Inside Spanish Football, Anfield Index, Just Football, The Eagles Beak, Think Football Ideas and JuveFC, you can also find Edward’s work at Licence to Roam, a football blog he started with his brother in 2013.

twitter: @licencetoroam

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Illarra-La-Real

As Asier Illarramendi left the field following his splendid return to his beloved Real Sociedad, in a match against Sporting Gijon, he knew he was home. Trudging off the pitch, the man they simply refer to as “Illarra” received a very generous ovation from La Real’s loyal supporters. They know what a special part of Sociedad’s fabric he is.

The club’s new €16 million record signing, who endured an unsatisfactory stint at Real Madrid, was only too happy to return the favour – giving the fans a gratuitous clap to all corners of the Anoeta. David Moyes, his manager, embraced him too, greeting him with a firm handshake and a pat on the back for his solid outpouring of effort.

Illarramendi would’ve certainly been thinking how nice it is to be home.

His Scottish manager was especially delighted to have him back in the Basque country. When Moyes recently spoke of how vital a signing the 25-year-old is for his side, it’s obvious to see what a key component Moyes intends on him becoming for La Real this season.

“He can help everybody in the team, solve problems from central midfield,” said Moyes.

“He’ll also give me alternatives to play two or three in central midfield. Illarramendi and his return is very good for the club. Big signings like these make the difference.”

Illarramendi himself is very pleased to have made the move to the club where he spent his formative years as a footballer, but upon listening to him speak, it’s hard not to notice a part of him that wished he could’ve succeeded in Madrid.

“Things did not go as well as I would have liked,” he recalled.

“You learn from everything, the good and the bad. It was not so bad, though. In two years I won four trophies [the Copa del Rey, Champions League, European Supercup and Spanish Supercopa, although he played only eight minutes across those finals].”

With competition in the midfield spots relentlessly fierce in the Spanish capital, as well as the fact that he never seemed to fully gain the trust of Carlo Ancelotti, it’s nice to see him back at a club where he’ll be an undisputed starter and where he’ll well and truly have the faith of the manager.

Sociedad will be hoping the aforementioned conditions will be the perfect breeding ground for the player, who cost Los Merengues a staggering €38.8 million, to regain his shorn confidence.

Judging from his exhibits against Gijon, while he wasn’t at his absolute best, he appeared well on his way to getting back to playing like the Illarramendi we all know and love watching.

Right from the outset Illarramendi was the pivotal instigator in so many of Sociedad’s attacking phases. From his deep-lying midfield role, he’d drop in between the two centre backs (Diego Reyes and Inigo Martinez) and look to orchestrate his team’s forward forays. From these positions he showcased that superb range of passing of his. He’d unleash 50-yard aerial balls, play precise vertical passes into the feet of his attackers (often disguising them by looking away when he made them) and add some additional slickness to Sociedad’s work by playing some delightful one-touch passes.

His role could be compared suitably to the one Andrea Pirlo made famous. He facilitated from deep with intelligent passing, never needing to venture too far forward to impact. Plus by staying deep, he could actively cover Inigo Martinez, who enjoyed motoring forward (much like Giorgio Chiellini does for Juventus) from his central defensive post.

Key to Illarramendi being able to execute his role so effectively was unquestionably his masterful decision making. He never attempted any unnecessarily risky passes, but that wasn’t to say he played things entirely safely, though. He just got the balance spot on, only playing expansive passes if he knew he could complete them.

Obtaining such a thoughtful midfielder, who astutely processes every situation he’s confronted with and who adds so much finesse, guile and experience in central areas, will surely be a huge weapon in La Real’s quest to enjoy a better campaign than the last.

It’s all about being disciplined and never doing anything rash for Illarra, and that’s what makes him such a magnificent player for Moyes to have at his disposal in this position.

With Moyes’ boys having not scored in their opening two fixtures, once he completely readjusts to life back in San Sebastian, he should really begin to get this talented side ticking offensively. The likes of Bruma, Jonathas and Carlos Vela will be licking their lips at the prospect of receiving such brilliant service from Illarramendi throughout the season.

Back at a club who trusts him wholly should do wonders for his form this season. After all, if history is anything to go by, it would appear having a manager and a club that supports him is crucial for him to suceed. When he first broke through under Philippe Montanier’s expert guidance at Sociedad, he noted how grateful he was to the Frenchman for giving him a chance, saying: “I have to give very much thanks to Philippe Montanier, who has put a lot of trust in me.”

A similar belief was shown in him by his former Spain under-21 boss, Julen Lopetegui, who now coaches FC Porto.

“He [Illarramendi] is a guy who tactically understands everything you pose him and that, apart from the technical quality that is, the component of understanding the game that way, it helps you to be better still,” Lopetegui explained following the U-21 Euros of 2013, which Spain emphatically won.

He also went on to say that his charge was “fantastically furnished” for further progression in the profession.

There was no great surprise when Lopetegui tried to bring the man who he believes is the heir to Xabi Alonso in on loan, albeit unsuccessfully, to Porto last term, such is his adulation for the player.

Whereas Illarramendi ultimately failed to gain the trust of Ancelotti, which definitely played a major role in his underwhelming time at Madrid, he’ll have no issues with Moyes. The Scot knows what incredible gifts he possesses, and clearly intends to utilise those gifts by making him the focal point of his side.

Now back at Sociedad, all the components are there for him to suceed and get back to his best. Over the coming campaign there’s no reason to suggest why we won’t see him achieve just that.

What a difference simply being trusted and feeling wanted can make.

About the author – Edward Stratmann

Edward Stratmann writes regularly about the on-field aspects of the game, with a particular focus on tactics and analysis. In addition to featuring on These Football Times, Inside Spanish Football, Anfield Index, Just Football, The Eagles Beak, Think Football Ideas and JuveFC, you can also find Edward’s work at Licence to Roam, a football blog he started with his brother in 2013.

@licencetoroam

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