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Real Madrid: Ranking the top five players in Castilla

By Sai Siddhartha S

NYON, SWITZERLAND - AUGUST 25: Sergio Arribas and Raul Gonzalez Blanco Head coach of Real Madrid pose with the trophy following the UEFA Youth League Final 2019/20 between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Colovray Sports Centre on August 25, 2020 in Nyon, Switzerland. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
NYON, SWITZERLAND - AUGUST 25: Sergio Arribas and Raul Gonzalez Blanco Head coach of Real Madrid pose with the trophy following the UEFA Youth League Final 2019/20 between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Colovray Sports Centre on August 25, 2020 in Nyon, Switzerland. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /
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Antonio Blanco of Real Madrid
CADIZ, SPAIN – APRIL 21: Antonio Blanco Conde of Real Madrid in action during the La Liga Santander match between Cadiz CF and Real Madrid at Estadio Ramon de Carranza on April 21, 2021 in Cadiz, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) /

3. Antonio Blanco (defensive midfielder)

Here’s a name that has fascinated Madridistas after just two starts with the first-team, and reminded the fans of a certain Xabi Alonso. Well, the Xabi Alonso comparisons might be too early, but Antonio Blanco needed just two games to show that he is already at the level to play for the first-team, and has the ability to become one hell of a deep-lying playmaker in the future. He is third on this list, but he is definitely the best in his position in Castilla.

Blanco usually plays in a double pivot with Castilla, but he has the ability to play as a central midfielder as well. He’s a defensive midfielder, but he is much different from Casemiro in terms of playing style. While Casemiro is more of a destroyer, Blanco is a deep-lying midfielder and is much more technical. He isn’t a ball carrier but he ensures quick ball progression with his excellent passing vision and quick decision-making skills.

Blanco’s passing is definitely his best weapon, with his on-field intelligence and press resistance making him much more complete. He is strong, but he is not physically imposing. He wins the ball with his intelligent positioning and well-timed challenges. He isn’t a great shooter of the ball but does have a habit of scoring belters like this.

I once discussed how Blanco might get chances in the second half of the season, and it did take time, but he finally got the chances to prove himself and took them in fantastic fashion. The manager may be different now, but his skill-set is enough to make any manager fall in love with his style of play. Carlo Ancelotti loves midfielders of his profile, and even Blanco is doing his part to impress him, as he assisted a goal during Real Madrid’s 3-1 win in the training game against Fuenlabrada.

There wasn’t much hype about Blanco initially, but after two excellent seasons with Castilla and a successful Youth league campaign, his stocks went high. Given his brilliance, it is unfair to have him just third on this list, but the next two players have a slight edge over him. And in terms of consistency, Blanco might just be the best. And there’s no wrong in seeing him as the future of our midfield, as my colleague Lehar wrote.

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