Real Madrid go into the 2017/18 La Liga season as favourites to defend their title.
With Barcelona struggling to replace Neymar and Atletico Madrid under a transfer ban, Los Blancos are firmly in the driving season.
Madrid have a star-studded squad but there also a few promising youngsters at Zinedine Zidane’s disposal.
Barcelona may need some products of their La Masia academy to step up as well while there’s a wide talent pool in La Liga in general.
Here are five youngsters to watch out for in Spain’s top flight.
Madrid will be hoping the Bundesliga has proven to be as fertile a league for development with the 20-year-old defender as it was for Dani Carvajal, when he spent a season at Leverkusen.
Vallejo excelled on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt and has ret-urned to the Bernabeu as potentially their third-choice centre-back, with Pepe having left.
The long-term vision is for Vallejo to partner Raphael Varane, a plan that may come to fruition sooner rather than later.
Jesus Vallejo
The Brazilian delivered some impressive turns for the B-team after arriving on loan from Fluminense, prompting Luis Enrique to give him some sporadic appearances in the Champions League and towards the end of the La Liga campaign.
Barca have taken the option to sign him on a permanent deal and have high hopes the Under-20 international can become a genuine first-team option with his pace, strength and confidence in possession.
Marlon Santos
When Manchester City were crying out for some energy on the flanks last season there was some bemusement that Pep Guardiola never turned to the 20-year-old right-back.
Instead, Maffeo was sent to Girona and helped the club gain promotion to the top-flight.
Possessing everything that is required of a modern full-back, he’ll be spending his third season in Catalonia and with this his first in La Liga, Guardiola will be a very keen observer.
Pablo Maffeo
It speaks volumes for Soler’s talent but also the malaise Valencia find themselves in that the 20-year-old is likely to be a key player for Los Che.
He broke into the side during last season, impressing with his creativity and clever use of the ball, but signs in pre-season are that he’ll be used in a more withdrawn role as coach Marcelino reverts to a 4-4-2.
It’s all part of the challenge for Soler as he looks to become one of Spain’s next great midfielders.
Carlos Soler
The tenacious Slovakian midfielder was at Ajax in his teens but, after being discarded by the Dutch giants, has been developing nicely in Denmark with Nordsjaelland.
So much so that he was named player of the year two seasons running and now has his chance to impress in the big leagues.
He looks tailor-made for a Celta side who play quick, unfussy football and expect the 22-year-old to add real drive and energy to the Galicians this season.
Stanislav Lobotka
