Real Madrid: 5 youngsters who could be the Spanish Champions' next Galactico

Real Madrid have a love affair with galacticos that date back to the early 1950s and the likes of Alfredo di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Raymond Kopa and the inimitable Didi (read more about the Brazilian here – The Greatest Footballer you've never heard of: Didi)

They are always on the look-out for the next bright star – as the signing of Norwegian wunderkind Martin Odegaard last season, and Brazilian sensation Vinicus Junior this time around have shown, and they are ever willing to take a gamble if it means it gets them first-mover advantage (especially over their great rivals Barcelona). Here then we take a look at 5 youngsters (not as young as the two mentioned above, but slightly more established stars) who could become the next Real Madrid galactico.

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5. Kasper Dolberg

The 19-year old Dane has been the spearhead in the brave new Ajax resurgence with his goals this season (16 in the league, 7 in Europa) helping Peter Bosz’s exciting young side seize the attentions of the footballing world. At 6ft 2inches tall, the strapping young lad has drawn comparisons to the great Marco van Basten for his cool finishing, amazing right foot and speed of thought (and boot). Mentored by Dennis Bergkamp (who is the Dutch side’s assistant manager), Dolberg has grown leaps and bounds and is already being valued at around 35 million Euros.

Never one to shy away from splashing big money for a talented young striker, Senor Florentino Perez may just have found his new favourite in the promising young Dane.

4. Dele Alli

Bamidele Jermaine "Dele" Alli is the hottest young thing to hit English football since the early emergence of Wayne Rooney. Tall, strong, and inimitably imaginative on the ball, the attacking midfielder has been at the heart of the best Tottenham Hotspur side in decades, and his winning of the PFA Young Player of the Year Award two years running stands as an assured testament of that.

His current coach, Mauricio Pochettino has nothing but praise for him, saying, “In the box, he looks like a striker, and outside the box, he plays like a midfielder.", while Frank Lampard has frequently commented on Alli’s ability to ghost into the box unnoticed – coming from one of the masters of that very aspect, that is some high praise.

Street-smart and with a temper that matches his undoubted talent, Zinedine Zidane for one would readily identify with the youngster, and could well be the best man for him to work under.

3. Andre Silva

The man who looks to be the answer to Portugal’s long-standing prayer for an out-and-out centre forward has been brilliant this season for FC Porto. His goals (16 domestically and 5 on the continent) have brought him to the limelight while he featured in the Champions League breakout XI selected by UEFA. The tall ( 6’1”) striker has already bagged 5 goals for the Portugal senior team (in just 6 appearances) and there is the hint of a burgeoning relationship blossoming between him and his nation’s greatest player of all time – Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo’s presence in the Real Madrid ranks could also act as a strong pull for the player toward a club that has more often than not been kind to its Portuguese stars. Fast, incisive, possessed of a strong finish of either foot as well as the head and brilliantly cool when one-on-one with the keeper, Silva has all the attributes required to become the next Real Madrid no.9

2. Marco Asensio

Well, they don’t have to buy this one. But they didn’t have to buy Raul or (Sant) Iker Casillas either, did they? Although not a Madrid boy, the Mallorcan was bought to Madrid at the age of 18 (and then loaned out for a couple of seasons) and well, let’s be honest, Madrid are not known for their penchant for retaining youngsters that are already at the club. It would be a damn shame, though, if this one did not develop into the next great Galactico.

Possessed of silky ball control, nerves of steel, and the un-teachable ability to split open a defence with a wave of his left foot, Asensio has been given chances aplenty by Zinedine Zidane, and well, it’s paid off. Everytime he gets the ball at his feet, the air’s filled with the crackling electricity that only true potential can generate and as he showed against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League, the biggest stages do nothing but bring the best out of him.

He’s been one of the most exciting players in Los Blancos ranks and he should be there for some years to come.

1. Kylian Mbappe

WOOF! Where do we start with the hottest property in world football?

The Frenchman has set the football world on fire with his displays in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League knock-out stages (he scored against a Juventus side that had blocked out Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez over two ties) and the best thing is, he isn’t even closed to being the finished article.

With a pace, and incredible ball control, that brings back memories of Thierry Henry in his prime, the 18-year old has been the find of the season. His calm finishing is altogether evident in the fact that he’s racked up 27 goals this season (all comp.) and even more than Asensio, there is a palpable sense that the extraordinary is just around the corner everytime he sets boot to ball.

Direct, aggressive, and level-headed, Mbappe is the next big thing in world football right now – and well, that’s right up Real Madrid’s alley isn’t it?

For those who haven’t seen him in action yet... sit back, and enjoy