The Spanish Youth are Europe's most exciting young talent, blending technical brilliance with dynamic flair.
Having covered the established youth players in Part I, we turn our attention to the next wave of young talent in Spain, waiting to emerge as bonafide stars.
Spain's Potential Core:
Jordi Amat - Espanyol - Another strong defender who was a pillar of a La Liga defence last season, the youngster was on display for Spain at the U-20 World Cup in Colombia. Made 32 appearances last season for the club that raised him, Amat has played for Spain at all levels from the U-16s onwards. Viewed as the future for his club at the back.
Emilio Nsue - Mallorca - Not to be confused with Emiliano Insua, the striker started 34 times, scoring four times for his club last season, a difficult one that saw them just miss relegation. Strong in the air and pacy up front, he scored seven for Real Sociedad the season before and won both the 2007 U-19 and 2011 U-21 European Championship.
Alejandro Arribas - Rayo Vallecano - 40 appearances during a season that saw his club gain promotion back to the Primera Division, the battle hardened 22 year old is a rock at the back for his club. Normally plays in central defence, but can do a job as full back, his mental conditioning may be the best on this lot, having come through the ranks at a smaller club and then been the cornerstone of their season in the competitive Segunda A division.
Ezequiel Calvente Criado - Real Betis - Outrageously gifted winger who played a big part in Betis' Segunda A winning promotion campaign last season, he is best known for a trick penalty taken during a Euro U-19 tie against Italy. Played 29 times, scoring once last year and despite his size is a nightmare for opposing full backs. That penalty can be seen here.
Alvaro Vazquez - Espanyol - Creative midfielder presence who was instrumental in his club's surprise top eight finish, Alvaro played 30 times last season, coming off the bench for the majority to register four goals and a pair of assists. Despite his heavy workload, Alvaro will be starting in midfield for the U-20 team at the World Cup in Colombia.
Kevin Garcia Martinez - Mallorca - Having come through the youth ranks at the Balearic islands' club, the left back is close to nailing down a starting spot in La Liga, looking to build on his 18 starts last season. Rapidly promoted by manager Michael Laudrup, Martinez was the most used left-back last season, overtaking veterans Ayoze and Enrique Corrales
Jose Angel - Sporting Gijon / Roma - One of a pair of home-brewn Gijon defenders who impressed last season and capped off the season with a Euro U-21 crown, Angel came through the ranks to make 52 appearances and score one goal at left back over the past two seasons. Earned a move to Roma over the summer, joining new Roma manager Luis Enrique's Spanish revolution along with Bojan Krkic.
Antoine Griezmann - Real Sociedad - A rare non-Spaniard on the list, the 20 year old French winger has already racked up 76 appearances and notched 13 goals, including seven last season. With only veteran Xabi Prieto and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo playing more minutes than him, Griezmann is widely respected for his alacrity, vision and speed down the wing.
Marc Bartra - Barcelona - Another of the glittering array of youth coming through the ranks at Barcelona, Bartra captains the U-20 national team at the World Cup. A natural defender who is strong in the air and canny in his reading of the game, Bartra came through the ranks at the Catalan giants, progressing to three appearances and scoring once last season. Plays in central defence and along with Montoya, is the future of the Blaugrana defence.
Alberto Botia - Sporting Gijon - Euro U-21 winning defender around whom the Sporting defence is built, he is the latest example of the sparkling talent being developed in Barcelona, where he came through the ranks before joining Gijon on loan. Helped his club finish a very respectable 10th in 2010-11 and will continue as starting centreback, having made 55 appearances over the past two seasons in La Liga.
Jordi Alba - Valencia - After an excellent season on loan at Gimnastic Tarragona where he scored four goals and appeared 34 times in midfield, during his stint in the city of his birth, Alba returned to make 27 appearances last season for Valencia. Having joined Los Ches in 2008, his technical skills are widely regarded as being of a very high standard, bearing the schooling he received as a kid in Barcelona.
Mateo Musacchio - Villarreal - The Argentine 20 year old played all 38 games for the Yellow Submarine last season, cementing his place in central defence. Having been called up to the Argentine national side already, Musacchio will continue to shore up the backline for the Champions' League elect side, while displaying his steely commanding presence up and down the league.
Oriol Romeu - Barcelona - With 49 appearances for the B team that almost finished in the top three last season in the second division, Romeu is very much the senior midfielder in the U-20 team, that is contesting the World Cup in Colombia. Made one appearance for the senior club side and is highly regarded as a technically brilliant midfielder at the Catalan giants.
Ruben Perez - Deportivo La Coruna - Despite a relegation with Deportivo La Coruna, Perez impressed in a seminal season for the Galicians. Possessing a tough tackling style with a full array of passing, he was called up to the successful Euro winning U-21 side as a midfielder. Originally having come through the ranks at Atletico Madrid, he is on a two year loan at Deportivo for whom he started 32 games last season.
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