'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
La Liga has produced some excellent young players over the course of its illustrious history. From the famed La Masia to the Cantera of La Real, several players have gone on to create history, shattering numerous records in the process.
This season, too, the Spanish top-flight will have the privilege of seeing some Under-20 prized assets take centre-stage. We are hoping to see most of them having a say in the league title race or Champions League qualifying bout.
Today, we have created a list of five youngsters who have the potential to live up to their billing, to shine brighter than most of their peers. So, without further ado, let us take a look at the five young players you must look out for in the 2021-22 La Liga season.
Trending
#5 Ander Barrenetxea - Real Sociedad
La Liga outfit Real Sociedad have produced some fine talents over the years. They have gone on to win important accolades, giving Sociedad the incentive to keep up the good work. 19-year-old Ander Barrenetxea is shaping up to be one fine addition to the Sociedad academy of talented youngsters.
The young attacker is following in the footsteps of current club favorite Mikel Oyarzabal and wishes to be as instrumental as the Spanish national team star. Barrenetxea featured in 31 La Liga games for Sociedad last season, attaining a healthy mix of 13 starts and 18 substitute appearances.
The Spaniard also scored three goals and provided an assist in the 2020-21 La Liga campaign, with one of those strikes coming against FC Barcelona in March. We expect him to play with more confidence this season and hopefully give Sociedad the creative outlet they often lack.
#4 Yeremi Pino - Villarreal
Despite being a relatively new addition to the Villarreal squad, Yeremi Pino has managed to carve out a small slice of fanfare at the Estadio de la Ceramica. He is quick, relentless, and is always eager to prove his mettle, offering aspects that his coach, Unai Emery, values greatly.
Physically speaking, the 2020-21 La Liga campaign wasn’t Yeremi’s best, as the forward suffered from COVID-19 and a muscle injury. He missed some crucial games in that stretch, which made re-adjusting all the more difficult.
He managed to make 24 appearances in La Liga last season, with 18 of them coming off the bench. The three goals he scored in the league were timely, and there was plenty to admire about the shift he put in every time he came on. The 18-year-old has the potential to become a special player for Villarreal, and the journey could very well start this season.
#3 Miguel Gutierrez - Real Madrid
Throughout the history of La Liga, Real Madrid have had to live with the disappointment of not creating as many record-breaking superstars as their arch-rivals, Barcelona. Los Blancos are still a country mile behind the Catalan outfit, but it is good to see them try.
Miguel Gutierrez is the result of Real Madrid’s incessant efforts. The Cantera graduate showed excellent form for all youth teams and deservedly won a call-up to the senior side in the 2020-21 La Liga campaign. Slotting in as a left-back, Gutierrez provided a healthy concoction of attack and defense, something the club were missing with Marcelo and Ferland Mendy.
He made only six appearances in La Liga last term but did enough to win the Madridistas over. With David Alaba added to the mix, the competition might get a little tougher at left-back. However, given the opportunity, Gutierrez is certain to give the senior team stars a run for their money.
#2 Ansu Fati - FC Barcelona
Barcelona’s famed academy, La Masia, continues to churn out world class prospects on a regular basis. And 18-year-old Ansu Fati is one of its latest poster boys. The young Spaniard is now the second-youngest debutant for Barcelona, touching the milestone after coming on for Carles Perez on the 25th of August 2019.
Following an electrifying debut campaign, Fati geared up to have an even more impressive second season with Barcelona. Unfortunately, a horrific knee injury ruled him out for the remainder of the season. The player was sorely missed in 2020-21 as Barcelona had to remain satisfied with a single domestic trophy - Copa del Rey.
After going through four surgeries, Fati is slowly and steadily nearing his return. He is expected to make his season debut in September, and we expect him to soar higher than he did in his first two seasons.
#1 Pedri - FC Barcelona
Barcelona and potentially world-beating midfielders seem to be a never-ending fairytale, with Pedri being the latest entrant to the pack of elites. The Barcelona midfielder did not come through the famous La Masia academy. But his coaches at Las Palmas did an equally excellent job at preparing him for the big leagues.
The 18-year-old Barcelona man was called up to Spain's senior side for Euro 2020, and he answered by being crowned as the Best Young Player of the tournament. His national team coach, Luis Enrique, is completely smitten by his work on the ball, and expects him to do great things in the coming years.
Barcelona are in desperate need for some inspiration in the middle of the park - for a capable deputy to Frenkie de Jong. And there is hardly anyone more deserving of that responsibility than Pedri.
