Young talent was once again showcased in La Liga this season, as breakthrough performances by the stars of the future took the competition to new heights.
Outside90’s Didier Bedini casts an ever over the five best young players to play in Spain’s top flight during the 2014-15 campaign.
For the purpose of this exercise, the qualification age is 21-years and under.
No.5 – Saúl Ñíguez, Atletico Madrid. Central-midfielder/Winger. Age: 20
Saul was thrust into Atletico Madrid’s midfield in various roles during the second-half of the season. The 20 year-old featured in 24 matches, 15 of which were as a substitute. None were more memorable than his appearance in the Madrid derby in February 2015, coming off the bench after just 10 minutes to score a spectacular bicycle kick goal in a stunning 4-0 win.
Saul’s versatility and composure under pressure are his major assets and the primary reasons he is highly valued by Diego Simeone. Another season of improvement in 2015-16 and Saul may even be in line for a shock call up to Spain’s Euro 2016 squad.
No.4 – Luciano Vietto, Villarreal. Striker. Age: 21
Luciano Vietto is yet another Argentine starlet showing the world what he is capable of in the world’s best league. 12 goals in 32 matches this season (together with the never-ending Mauro Icardi saga) has pushed Vietto well into the reckoning for a national call up. While he missed selection for the upcoming Copa America in Chile, it would not surprise anyone to see the Villarreal striker wearing his country’s shirt before the end of the calendar year.
The man from Cordoba, Argentina was a major reason for Villarreal’s superb season, which saw the club finish sixth on the table. Vietto’s pace, technique and finishing at the tender age of 21 understandably have the big clubs drooling at his potential. Sure enough, Vietto seems destined to be managed by his countryman Diego Simeone next season, at Atletico Madrid. Champions League football awaits.
No.3 – Paco Alcacer, Valencia. Striker. Age: 21
Alcacer had a breakout season for Valencia, ultimately leading to five caps for Spain and his first three international goals. 12 goals in 32 matches was pivotal as Valencia finished an excellent fourth, thus qualifying for next season’s Champions League. The diminutive 21-year-old consistently displayed pace and goal poaching nous throughout the campaign, which even threatened to be a title challenge at certain points.
Inevitably, Paco’s exploits have attracted suitors from around Europe. Chelsea in particular made no secret of their admiration. To the surprise of many and to the delight of his club, Alcacer extended his contract until 2020, inclusive of an €80 million release clause.
With the Spanish national team in a semi-rebuild stage, the Valencia striker is well placed to be the European Champions main striker for years to come. The first chance he will have to perform on a big international stage will be at next year’s Euros in France. It would not even be absurd to see Alcacer collect the golden boot. If that happens, Spain will likely be collecting their third consecutive title.
No.2 – Aymeric Laporte, Athletic Bilbao. Central-defender. Age: 20
Aymeric Laporte put in a stellar season for Bilbao, one of the major reasons the Basque club recovered to finish seventh. Already an exciting talent leading into the 2014-15 season, the uncapped Frenchman started 33 matches, primarily in his preferred centre-half role. Laporte displayed his versatility as he was often deployed at left-back and performed strongly.
Laporte is only 20-years of age, great in the air at 189cm, a superb reader of the play, excellent on the ball and oozes leadership qualities. No wonder why he is arguably the world’s most sought after young central-defender. Athletic will do well to keep him for another season as Europe’s elite come knocking.
Inevitably a France call up will come. Together with Real Madrid’s Rafael Varane, France has a world-class centre-half partnership for the next 10 years. Laporte will aim to make the French squad as they host Euro 2016 next year.
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No.1 – José Giménez, Atletico Madrid. Central-defender. Age: 20
It is extraordinary to think Jose Giménez is even on this list, considering he has only played 37 senior club matches, only 21 of those in La Liga. The Uruguayan played 20 of those matches this season, where he was arguably the league’s premier centre-back in the 2015 calendar year.
The 20-year-old’s rapid maturation into a world-class defender is not only an immense tribute to Diego Simeone’s faith and coaching abilities, but also to his own work ethic and self belief. Giménez is now a crucial member of Atleti’s first team and will be instrumental to any success the Madrid-based club intend to have next season.
Football fans will have the pleasure of watching Giménez ply his craft and next month’s Copa America, as reigning champions Uruguay seek to defend their crown. The way the Atletico man has improved this season, the entire career of Giménez is set to be something special.
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