Takefusa Kubo is set to return to Real Madrid at the end of this season when his loan period at Getafe expires. The 19-year-old has not had a smooth sailing season so far after his initial loan spell at Villarreal was cut short due to the lack of game-time and his spell at Getafe for the remainder of this season has been nothing exceptional.
It is unlikely that Kubo would be part of the club’s plans next season and is expected to be sent out on another loan spell. The right-wing at Real is already quite packed with the likes of Marco Asensio, Rodrygo Goes, Lucas Vazquez ( if he does renew terms), and Brahim Diaz who has performed admirably in his loan spell at AC Milan this season.
The Japanese international is on contract with Los Blancos until 2024 and is expected to spend another season out on loan before being assured a place at the Spanish capital. Preferably, a third loan spell at a Spanish club might be on the cards for the 19-year-old rather than a move abroad.
Having said that, I have considered three teams from La Liga, where Takefusa Kubo could be heading towards this summer transfer market.
VALENCIA
Valencia’s squad has been cut thin following their mass exodus of players last summer that saw the likes of Ferran Torres, Rodrigo, Dani Parejo and Geoffrey Kondogbia make their way out of Los Ches.
This season, Valencia have struggled in La Liga and have been overly reliant on Carlos Soler, their top scorer in the league with 12 goals. The likes of Denis Cheryshev, Yunnus Musah, and Kevin Gameiro have struggled upfront while Goncalo Guedes and Maxi Gomez have been impressive in the attacking department.
Next season, a move to the Mestalla could see Los Ches form an attacking trio of Goncalo Guedes, Maxi Gomez, and Takefusa Kubo. Although Kubo will not be a guaranteed starter at Valencia, the 19-year-old would have more chances ahead of the likes of Denis Chervyshev and Musah if he manages to impress Voro.
The competition on the right-wing is not intense at Valencia and this could be the perfect opportunity for the Japanese forward to prove his worth in one of the bigger clubs of Spain.
LEVANTE
At Levante, Kubo has the other opportunity to succeed. The 19-year-old right-winger could compete for a spot with former Real Madrid youngster Jorge de Frutos who has proven his worth in his debut season at Levante, scoring 4 goals in all competitions along with 12 assists in 40 games.
Kubo could play second to fiddle to Frutos next season and the healthy competition between the two will certainly help improve his performances. Levante have also played some fantastic fast-flowing attacking football this season under Paco Lopez and Kubo could benefit from this style of play to improve his output in the final third.
Unlike most La Liga sides that prefer to sit deep and defend, Levante prefer playing pragmatic-chaotic football as they look to hit teams on the counter immediately once they win the ball. Paco Lopez demands his players to press resiliently throughout the game instead of dropping back and parking the bus.
Their counter-attacking style of football will certainly be the best environment for a player of Kubo’s calibre to grow and nurture. Rather than signing for a club that prefers to sit deep and defend, Kubo at Levante will be given the opportunity to attack and progress with the ball forward on numerous occasions, unlike other La Liga teams that simply aim for clean sheets.
Paco Lopez is a tactical genius in terms of pressing and playing fluid football and he sure can make the best out of Kubo as he has done so with Jorge de Frutos. Levante could be the ideal club for Kubo to spend a season on loan under Lopez.
CADIZ
When Real Madrid loaned out Takefusa Kubo to RCD Mallorca in 2019, there was a hint of doubt on whether Los Blancos made the correct decision by sending such a talented player to one of the inferior sides in the league. However, at Mallorca, Kubo stood out and was one of the most impressive youngsters in the 2019/20 campaign.
The Merengues can make a gamble again this summer and consider loaning the youngster out to Cadiz. Alvaro Cervera’s side have performed well above expectations this season in the league after being newly promoted. Cadiz have managed to beat the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the league this season.
Los Piratas are currently placed 12th in the league and could finish in the top ten if Granda loses their final fixture to Takefusa Kubo’s Getafe and Cadiz win their game against Levante. Having said that, Cervera’s side have proven themselves to be a force to reckon with and are expected to perform even better next season.
At Cadiz, Kubo could become the face of the club like how he was at Mallorca. It is unlikely that the 19-year-old would struggle to get minutes under his belt with Los Piratas and consistent minutes in the league could unleash the Japanese winger’s true potential.