Real Madrid: A young player to know on each La Liga team in 2020-21

LW Alex Berenguer, Athletic Club

Since joining Athletic Bilbao from Torino, Alex Berenguer has been a solid player for the Basque club. He has three goals and two assists in 1,033 minutes, earning 12 starts and five substitute appearances. A versatile player, Berenguer has mostly played on the left side of the attack, creating chances and finishing them off. At 25, Berenguer has plenty of upside as he embarks on the first year of a four-year contract with Athletic Club.

DM Renato Tapia, Celta Vigo

Although Santi Mina is the biggest name among players 25 or under at Celta Vigo, Peruvian midfielder Renato Tapia has actually been the most impressive of the bunch for the mid-table La Liga side.

Tapia adds so much tactical solidity to Vigo. The 25-year-old only has one assist this season and isn’t much of a passer, but his excellent defensive work allows the forwards so much freedom. He is averaging a whopping 3.2 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game, and it’s not a stretch to say he is one of the league’s best defensive midfielders.

RM Jorge de Frutos, Levante

Enis Bardhi, at 25, is still a young player for Levante and is well-known as one of their key guys. But Jorge de Frutos, despite being a substitute in 11 matches and a starter in just 8, has quietly become an important player for the Frogs in their own right.

De Frutos has two goals and five assists for Levante this season in a mere 873 minutes, so the 23-year-old is one of La Liga’s most efficient wide men. Levante have found something in the former Madrid man, though he did not feature in the team’s recent victory over Los Blancos.

CM Yangel Herrera, Granada

Even though Yangel Herrera is on Manchester City’s books as a loanee to Granada, the center midfielder is too good to omit from this list. (Though Luis Suarez and former Chelsea man Kenedy deserve shoutouts.)

Herrera was excellent last season and has picked up where he left off in 2020-2021 as Granada’s star man. He’s once again helping the club push for a Europa League place and has scored three goals in all competitions. At 23, he is an intriguing possibility for Madridistas to keep in mind as a possible midfield backup.