La Liga looks set for its most exciting season in years and not just because of Kylian Mbappe’s arrival on the domestic scene with Real Madrid. The Spanish topflight has been teeming with talented young players with star potential for some time and that potential is already starting to bear fruit. Barcelona’s financial woes have forced them to embrace their academy once more and it is actually working while defending champions Los Blancos have also brought a Brazilian wonderkid in at the same time as Mbappe and have a UEFA Euro 2024 breakout star on the books who did not feature too heavily last year. Factor in another high-rated young European talent only making a handful of appearances for Atletico Madrid after a winter arrival and there is a lot to look forward to in Spain this coming campaign.
We take a look at five outstanding candidates.
1. Arda Guler, Real Madrid
Based on his Euro 2024 performances with Turkey, Arda Guler is ready to star for Real after a frustrating first year at Santiago Bernabeu. Injured for much of it, the 19-year-old still managed to grab a handful of goals and will hope to play a more meaningful role under Carlo Ancelotti this term. Guler will be looking to impose himself with Los Blancos who must rebuild after Toni Kroos’ retirement but also rejig in attack with Mbappe and Endrick added to the mix. The Italian tactician will be keen to accommodate the former Fenerbahce man — especially given his set-piece prowess.
2. Dani Olmo, Barcelona
Oddly enough, despite being one of the heroes of La Roja’s Euro 2024 triumph, the 26-year-old has never actually played in a professional club game at La Liga level despite coming through Barcelona’s academy. Now back with Barca, that should be rectified shortly — assuming that the Catalan giants can get their finances in order so that the former RB Leipzig and Dinamo Zagreb man can be registered for Hansi Flick’s side. Olmo was one of the top names in this summer’s transfer market yet it was the Blaugrana who managed to land him ahead of other competitors. The hope is that he can combine with young talents like Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, Gavi and Fermin Lopez to give Barca a brighter future and at least hope of challenging for domestic honors once more.
3. Endrick, Real Madrid
Before Mbappe was confirmed as joining from PSG, the buzz around Real was that Brazilian sensation Endrick had been secured. That excitement has grown again in recent months and the Selecao international is now seemingly back on track as he gets ready to attempt to break into this side of Ancelotti’s ahead of the likes of Rodrygo. It will not be easy but Endrick has already established himself as a senior international at 18 and Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham will need high-quality rotation options to keep them fresh during the season. Although Guler is arguably the best bet to break into Los Blancos’ XI immediately, keep an eye on this South American talent’s development as the campaign gathers pace.
4. Arthur Vermeeren, Atletico Madrid
With just a handful of appearances to his name over the second half of last season, it is easy to forget that Belgium international wonderkid Arthur Vermeeren is relatively new for Atleti. Diego Simeone’s side may well have welcomed Julian Alvarez for big money recently but the 19-year-old midfielder could develop into a key piece if given the time to develop into a senior option. It might not happen immediately, but with a preseason under his belt, Vermeeren is absolutely a player that is still worth getting excited over. A solid full campaign in Madrid could position him well to be dominant for club and country as he enters his 20s.
5. Pau Cubarsi, Barcelona
Last season already provided a preview of what can be expected of the 17-year-old defensive talent with a particularly memorable Champions League quarterfinal showing against Paris Saint-Germain highlighting Cubarsi’s immense potential. This season will be one of consolidating on that promise and getting regular minutes to continue his development but Hansi Flick would be well advised to give him maximum exposure to expedite that experience — especially after his gold medal exploits with Spain this summer having come close to the Euro 2024 squad too.
