With Spain's Primera Liga season beginning on Saturday, The National's European football correspondent Andy Mitten picks out five young players who should make a mark in 2014/15.
Munir El Haddadi, Barcelona
Madrid-born striker Munir El Haddadi turns 19 on September 1. The top scorer in Uefa’s youth league last season, Atletico and Real Madrid both had a chance to sign him. He started ahead of former Everton loanee Gerard Deulofeu in one big pre-season game and scored twice.
Saul Niguez, Atletico Madrid
Manchester United and Arsenal watched the 19-year-old midfielder last season when he was on loan at Rayo Vallecano. He is back at Atletico, where hopes are high that the Spain Under 21 international will have an impact in the first team.
Jese, Real Madrid
With the signings of Rodriguez and Kroos et al, it is easy to forget that, in Jese, Madrid have a striker who showed huge promise before his cruciate ligament injury last season. The Madrid fans have long wanted a home-grown outfield hero. They will have to wait a little longer, but Jese has immense potential.
Rodrigo, Valencia
The Brazil-born Rodrigo, 23, arrived from Benfica in the close season having helped the Lisbon side win a treble – though it could have been four trophies had he not missed a penalthy in the Eruopa League final. The former Real Madrid youngster also played on loan at Bolton Wanderers when he was a teenager.
Alen Halilovic, Barcelona
Croatia’s youngest international at 16, the 18-year-old attacking midfielder joined Barca B from Dinamo Zagreb in March. He made a mark at the 2013 Under 17 World Cup in Abu Dhabi and Luis Enrique has involved him with the first team in pre-season.
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