Since Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival at Real Madrid, the Royal Whites are flying high. Their free-flowing attacking football is attracting the eyes of various experts and Carlo’s focus on keeping the group together is once again putting the team into the ‘favourites to win the league’ conversations.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has put a lot of focus on signing and nurturing young talents in recent times. The club has acquired numerous potential world-beating talents and also have brought in various high potential youngsters through their academy and reserve team.
Currently, there is a good blend of youth and experience in the squad and Ancelotti is using his man-management prowess to bring the best out of the players available. Carlo has a history of putting faith in youngsters, so, many young footballers is certainly looking forward to impressing him and getting more chances under him. Here are the five Real Madrid youngsters who may become pivotal for their side in coming times –
#5 Miguel Gutiérrez
The 20-year old Spanish left-back made his name playing for Real Madrid Castilla last season. Under Zinedine Zidane, he got a few opportunities in the previous season, making 6 appearances in the LaLiga and playing over 300 minutes. He has been a part of Real Madrid’s setup since 2011. He knows the club from the inside out and knows what it means to represent a prestigious club like Real Madrid.
Even under the current manager Carlo Ancelotti, he has remained as part of the main squad and has already made 3 appearances, playing over 261 minutes. Over the course of his career, he has been trusted a lot by the youth coaches to carry the team forward in difficult matches. That is also why the club and the coaches are mentoring him to replace a long-serving club legend like Marcelo in the coming years.
#4 Sergio Arribas
Arribas first came to the spotlight in 2020 after playing a pivotal role in Real Madrid’ U-18 side winning UEFA Youth League. Thereafter, he was promoted to U-19s and then to the Castilla. Another product of La Fabrica, he is currently trusted with the number 10 shirt in Real Madrid Castilla.
His versatility provides the coaches with numerous options as he can play as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder and also as winger. After making his LaLiga debut last season and making 8 appearances, he was demoted to Castilla once again before the start of the season. But this season in Primera Division he has played 10 matches, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists. This is certainly giving Carlo Ancelotti something to think about as Arribas is willing to fight out for his place in the lineup. The club offering him a 5-year contract last season shows how much they believe in him and his qualities and now it’s up to him to live up to the expectations.
#3 Antonio Blanco
¡Tercera victoria consecutiva! 💪 @lafabricacrm #halamadrid pic.twitter.com/MG0AQSLMy7
— Antonio Blanco (@Antonio_6Blanco) November 14, 2021
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The 21-year old defensive midfielder first joined the club in 2013 from Seneca. He has been part of the youth teams of the clubs ever since, helping them to win the UEFA Youth League in 2019/20. He is a known face in the international setup too as he was crucial in Spain winning the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2017 and UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2019.
He also made his LaLiga debut last season but is currently struggling to get into the first team due to heavy competition. Representing Castilla, he has made 5 appearances this season and played every single minute of it. He also made his debut for Spain national team in June 2021. His career path speaks volumes of the potential he possesses. His ability to read the game and dictate the play has received many praises in the past. With competitions from Casemiro to get into Real Madrid’s first eleven and Sergio Busquets to get into Spain’s lineup, he currently has a long journey ahead.
#2 Rodrygo
🚨| Rodrygo is back. ✅ pic.twitter.com/MkIC1jFODy
— Madrid Xtra. (@MadridXtra) November 18, 2021
Rodrygo didn’t have the dream start of his career after arriving from Santos in 2019. His time till now at the club has been injury-ridden and because of that, he had lost his place in the starting lineup quite a lot of time. But there has never been any doubt regarding the talent he has. Just at the age of 20, he has made over 50 LaLiga appearances and 19 UEFA Champions League appearances.
He can play on both wings and even as a number 10 if required. His ability to identify and attack open spaces on the pitch makes him lethal. At the moment, he is facing some tough competition from Vinicius Junior, Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio to get into the playing eleven but his impressive form despite his frequent injuries has not held him back. It’s about time he becomes a regular for the Los Blancos.
#1 Eduardo Camavinga
The 19-year old was one of the most wanted prospects in world football for over a year before signing for the Royal Whites. Carlo Ancelotti has shown a lot of faith in the Frenchman and rightly so as he has already appeared in 17 games for the club in all competitions.
Camavinga’s direct runs into the box along with his ability to understand match scenarios and act accordingly were two of the main reasons why he became a teenage sensation at Rennes. He is continuing his great run of form at his new club but the standards are certainly higher in the Spanish capital. So, he needs to do extra work to get into the starting lineup ahead of the likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Camavinga has got all it takes to become a star but he needs to stay patient and work on his craft to solidify his place at the club.
