The decision of FIFA to levy a ban on Real and Atletico Madrid from signing any players for breaching the rules over the transfer of players under the age of 18 in the next 2 transfer windows has left the clubs in a limbo, especially the European Champions. The governing body had initially ruled on the case in January. However, with both the clubs appealing against the same, they were able to buy themselves this recently concluded summer transfer window to bolster their ranks
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The decision means that the club will not be able to add to its rich talent through 2017, a news that will not go down well with the Real Madrid faithful who expect the club to sign a number of superstars every transfer window. While the ban might not allow the club to sign any new players, it does not restrict the club from recalling the 6 players whom they have sent out on loan. In this segment, we profile the 6 youngsters who have been sent on loan by the Madrid giants.
#1 Marcos Llorente: 21 years old (On loan to Deportivo Alaves)
Llorente joined the Real Madrid youth set up at the age of 13 and had since gone on to establish himself as a vital player across the age group for the club. His impressive performances caught the eye of the former reserves and the current manager Zinedine Zidane and he promoted the youngster to the reserve side and Llorente has time and again showcased his potential as a footballer.
The 21-year-old deep lying midfielder, who is on a season-long loan to Alaves, was impressive in his side’s draw against Sporting Gijon and was even declared the man of the match. He was tidy in possession, kept the ball ticking and created 2 goal scoring opportunities during the game while ensuring that he disrupted the opposition’s rhythm with crucial tackles and interceptions.
He has been touted to be one of the most promising youngsters at Real Madrid and we believe the move to Alaves, which is expected to help him find playing time in the Spanish top flight could help him make the much required set up from reserves football to first team football without being buried under the pressure of expectation that accompanies players at the Bernabeu
#2 Borja Mayoral – 19 years old (On loan to VFL Wolfsburg)
Borja Mayoral has impressed a number of football critics with his performances at various age groups both for club and country. Part of the Real Madrid set up since 2007, he joined them as an 11-year-old and has been compared to the legendary Madrid striker Raul for his poacher instincts. He has shown a penchant for finding the back of the net, scoring 102 goals in 77 games across the U-16 and U-18 competitions.
The striker, who has made 38 appearances for the Madrid reserve side and got on the score sheet on 17 occasions, had a wonderful 2015-16 season, where he found the back of the net 15 times, prompting the hierarchy at the club to hand him his senior debut during the season.
While he might not have played so far this season, the season-long loan to Wolfsburg is expected to hand him playing time, especially with Wolfsburg lacking the requisite attacking firepower. The Dieter Hecking led side found goals tough to come by in their previous campaign, which resulted in them finishing 8th in the Bundesliga and Mayoral could be the solution they seek to the attacking grievances.
#3 Jesus Vallejo – 19 years old (On loan to Eintracht Frankfurt)
The former Real Zaragoza defender joined Real Madrid at the start of the 2015-16 season for a fee believed to be in the region of €6 million. He had already established himself as a starter at the side in the 2014-15 season and had even gone on to the captain the side plying its trade in La Segunda during the later stages of the season and Real Madrid were more than happy to pay his release clause to secure his services.
He was immediately loaned back to Zaragoza in a bid to secure playing time. However, his playing time was curtailed due to injuries and he will be hoping to put his injury woes behind him and live up to his massive reputation at the German club.
The player, who is still in a developmental stage in his career, is an excellent reader of the game. While he possesses an ability to make critical tackles and interceptions to put the opposition’s attack on the back foot, it is his proactive approach that could help him become one of the best defenders in Spain for years to come. He is tidy with his passing and can carry the ball out of his defence without taking too much risk and Zinedine Zidane could have a gem at his disposal.
#4 Diego Llorente- 23 years old (On loan to Malaga)
The 23-year-old central defender joined Real Madrid as an 8-year-old and has been with the club ever since. Though he made his senior debut with the club in June 2013, he has mainly been deployed in the side’s C and B teams and has risen through the ranks at the reserves side with his imperious performances at the back.
He spent the last season at Rayo Vallecano and established himself as a starter for the club during the loan tenure. He is strong in the air, is not afraid to put his body on the line for the benefit of his side and has shown an excellent ability to read the game. He possesses the ability to bring the ball out of his defence and made a telling contribution to his side’s defensive performance regardless of their eventual relegation.
On loan at the La Rosaleda Stadium, Llorente has started both of his side’s league games so far and has put in a sound defensive shift, combining tackles, aerial duels, interceptions and general footballing intelligence to help his side avoid defeat in their opening 2 games. With Sergio Rames and Pepe ageing and Varane failing to live up to his reputation so far, we believe a sound performance could help him gain a spot in the Real Madrid line-up.
#5 Burgui- 22 years old (On loan to Sporting Gijon)
The midfielder joined Real Madrid as a 19-year-old after having made a name for himself at Burguillos, Cecereno and Diocesane and has since gone on to represent the club’s reserve side’s. The last season can be considered as his breakout year as he impressed during his season-long loan at Espanyol. Tidy in possession and passing, the player showed creative instincts, creating a goal scoring opportunity every 60 minutes and was amongst the leading creators at Espanyol.
Burgui is strong in the air and can prove deadly with set pieces, a trait that he showed during his time at the RCDE Stadium. He is good at travelling with the ball and has a good close control, which he uses to his advantage to get out of tight positions.
He has been shipped to Sporting Gijon on a season-long loan this season in a bid to help him continue with his development as a player and has already made attacking contribution to his side with an assist in their opening game against Athletic Bilbao. Given the abundance of attacking talent available at Madrid, it is unlikely that the player will be afforded a number of chances and it remains to be seen if he can make an impact enough to land him a bit-part role with the side in the coming season.
#6 Raul De Tomas: 21 years old (On Loan to Real Valladolid)
The 21-year-old striker, who joined Real as a 10-year-old in 2004 and has since gone on to represent the club’s C and B side in the reserve league. His primary strengths are his pace, acceleration, movement on and off the ball as well as attacking instincts.
He has developed a penchant for being in the right place at the right time and his ability to put away chances that come his way have seen him being compared to former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez. He is also ably apt at taking set pieces and can prove deadly with free kicks around the box.
He spent the last season on loan at Cordoba, for whom he found the back of the net on 7 occasions in 28 appearances, which is a healthy return for a player his age. The player has joined Segunda division side Real Volladoid to help his growth as a footballer and is yet to feature for them so far this season.
