La Liga 2020-21 season is underway with some new teams, players, hope, and aim to clinch silverware this season. Each team has an important piece of the puzzle in their squad to watch out for.
With a new season comes new challenges for the clubs. Most of the Spanish clubs have made some new signings ahead of this season, and it would be an immense joy to see new blood shining in La Liga.
Picking one player from each squad is arduous with the squad each team has some great potential in all of them. But there’s one among them who is special, brings magic to the game on the pitch, and fans are hyped about him. Here I will name one player from each La Liga side who will play a key role in respective clubs and players to watch out for.
1) Martin Ødegaard, Real Madrid
After completing a loan spell at Real Sociedad, the Norwegian is back at his parent club after Zidane decided to include him in his plans. Currently, he is facing injury and is recovering from it and will commence here with the same energy he showed with Sociedad. He has to fight for his position in Madrid, but that won’t be an arduous part for him with qualities he has filled within him.
Real Madrid is filled with enormous talent and watching every player play is a joy to the eyes. Ødegaard is back here after giving staggering performances in Sociedad, making it more exciting to watch him deliver the same quality of the game for Los Blancos.
2) Ansu Fati, FC Barcelona
Anssumane Fati from Guinea-Bissau (will be representing Spain internationally) has already made his mark for the Catalan side and made his debut for the Spanish national team, scoring his first goal in his national colors against Ukraine. FC Barcelona had a rough patch last season by not winning any silverware but they found some of the gems from their academy. Fati is one of them alongside midfielder Riqui Puig. Both of them managed to get some minutes last season and gave promising performances.
He has already earned the respect in this club and he looks ready for being FC Barcelona’s future. Under his new Dutch manager Ronald Koeman, he is expected to play a vital role in his squad. It’s astonishing for La Liga and its fans to have such a gem in their league.
3) Marcos Llorente, Atlético Madrid
The Real Madrid academy graduate Marcos Llorente, who now plays for their city rivals Atlético Madrid after the 2019 transfer was made, made some headlines last season against Liverpool at the Anfield in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg. Atléti brushed aside the English club. Diego Simeone has managed to change Llorente’s position. He plays as a second striker or a right winger now with the pace he carries with him.
With talents like João Félix, Thomas Partey, and Renan Lodi, Llorente outshines these players with the versatility he has shown on the pitch. It would be intriguing to watch how Diego Simeone uses Llorente next season.
4) Jules Koundé, Sevilla Fc
Jules Koundé, aged 21, is a defender from Paris, France, and he is one of the most emerging defenders in European football. He started his senior career in Bordeaux. In 2019, he joined the Spanish side Sevilla and played a crucial role for Julen Lopetegui’s side clinching UEFA Europa League in 2020.
With the departure of some great players like Sergio Reguilón and Éver Banega, Koundé has a great chance to make his name in the footballing world with the Spanish side. He is young and has great potential, and big clubs will be certainly looking to lure him in the future. Real Madrid is one of the favorites to sign the French lad. It would be interesting to track his progress in his second season at Sevilla.
5) Takefusa Kubo, Villarreal CF
Real Madrid on-loan superstar Takefusa Kubo has completed his loan spell with RCD Mallorca and has signed for Villarreal CF for another year. Kubo had a decent spell in Mallorca. Unfortunately, they got relegated to the Segunda Division after the 2019-20 season. Villarreal made some great signings this season, bringing Francis Coquelin, Valencia legend Dani Parejo, and Take Kubo. They look strong contenders to fight for the UEFA Champions League spot for next season.
Under new Spanish manager Unai Emery, Villarreal will be a threat in La Liga and Europa League for others. It would be an exciting team in Europe and with players like Kubo, they will be looking to grab some silverware this season.