With the conclusion of the 2017/18 La Liga season, we’re handing out of end-of-season awards and this time we look at the young player of the season.
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Goncalo Guedes (Valencia)
Valencia are desperate to tie up a permanent deal for the Paris Saint-Germain loanee and it’s no wonder after the season he’s had.
The 21-year-old heads to the World Cup with Portugal as one of their most talented assets and he has formed the fulcrum of an attack which has catapulted Los Che into the top-four.
Aside from his nine assists and five goals, he’s married piercing pace with technical ability and his rocket right-foot is all part of a packaged player who can at times be an unstoppable forward.
Europe’s top sides will be among those keeping an eye on him in Russia this summer.
WORTHY MENTIONS
Maxi Gomez (Celta Vigo)
Uruguay’s strike force this summer is frightening when you consider Edinson Cavani (28), Luis Suarez (24), Christian Stuani (21) and a 21-year-old Gomez (17) have all been in hot league form this season. Gomez is one of the best young goalscorers in Europe and scored against both Barcelona and Real Madrid this season.
Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)
One of the best young wingers in La Liga, the 21-year-old left-footed wideman has been linked with Napoli which is no surprise given the strides he’s made this season. La Real have been bitterly disappointing this season but his 12 goals – doubling his best tally in 2015/16 – are the second-highest for his side, while his five assists the joint-most.
Carlos Soler (Valencia)
The 21-year-old operates on the opposite side of Guedes for Valencia, but has been just as impressive at times. He’s not quite had the same consistency, even dipping out of the side midway through the season but he is one of the most promising young Spanish stars and rumours are Manchester United are interested in the explosive midfielder.
