5 U-23 stars worth building a team around

#3 Marcos Llorente

The midfielder with a bright future for both Real Madrid and Spain

It’s not often Real Madrid are drooling over the prospect of fielding an under-23 player in the coming season. Although they’ve given such exposure to the likes of Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Gonzalo Higuain and Casemiro in the past, but having to field someone who’s risen through their ranks? Now that’s unfamiliar territory for the Los Blancos.

22-year-old Marcos Llorente left Real Madrid in the summer going out on loan to La Liga minnows Deportivo Alaves. And thanks to his performances this season, he’s kept their hopes of playing in Spain’s top flight alive for one more season. His brilliance has also guided them to the final of the Copa del Rey where they take on Real Madrid’s arch-rivals Barcelona.

Llorente is a defensive midfielder with an eye for a forward pass. He has the turn and the pace to change defence into attack. And Alaves this season have depended on this very element for them to gain vital results in the league. He’ll rejoin Real Madrid in the summer and given the club could soon lose Luka Modric, they’ll do well to ensure that he’s the one they build their side on in the years to come.