Real Madrid: 3 young players who need to shine in 2020

LW Vinicius Junior

Real Madrid will need to rotate more than ever in 2019-2020 when the season returns, because they will likely have to play games on three days’ rest one after another. That means Vinicius Junior will be of paramount importance, even if he starts on the bench behind Eden Hazard.

Although Hazard is returning to health, Los Blancos probably learned a lesson about managing his minutes upon his return. Hazard is a top-five player in the world and can lead the club to Champions League glory. But he needs to be healthy for that to happen.

Enter Vinicius, who played a world-class level in his own right against Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in two of the biggest games of February and March. His introduction into the home game against Los Rojiblancos was game-changing, and Barcelona simply could not touch him one month later.

Whether a starter or an impactful substitution, Vinicius can own games all on the merit of quality. For the remainder of the 2019-2020 season, Vinicius could be one of Real’s most important players, and he will remain an X-Factor in the 2020-2021 season, even assuming Hazard has his breakout year at the Bernabeu then.

Last season in La Liga, Vini averaged 1.9 dribbles per game, with only Hazard putting up a higher rate for Real Madrid.