Real Madrid youth players on US pre-season tour: who are they?
With Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui opting to take nine youth players to the United States, we take a closer look at each of them.
Among the 32 players that Julen Lopetegui has taken with him on Real Madrid's pre-season tour of the United States, there are nine youngsters from Los Blancos' 'B' team, Castilla. They all make the trip having spent recent weeks training alongside the seniors at Valdebebas, and the new head coach now wants to take the chance to see more of them Stateside.
Lopetegui is expected to give each of the players game time over the course of Real's three International Champions Cup matches in the US (against Manchester United, Juventus and Roma). With a loan move to a club in Primera or Segunda a possibility for some of them, the tour is also likely to be a useful shop window.
The nine academy players on Real Madrid's pre-season tour:
Sergio López. Position: Right-back. Age: 19.
A right-back with an excellent engine, López loves to join in the attack and put his excellent crossing ability to good use.
Adrián de la Fuente. Position: Centre-back. Age: 19.
A Spain Under-19 international, De la Fuente is among the country's most promising young central defenders. A strong aerial presence, he is also a fine long-range passer.
Jaime Seoane. Position: Central midfielder. Age: 21.
A player who covers a lot of ground, Seoane is a midfielder who helps to bring balance to his team, but isn't afraid to get forward into shooting positions when the opportunity arises.
Javi Sánchez. Position: Centre-back. Age: 19.
Mr. Dependable. Defender Sánchez rarely makes a mistake at the back, and has an outstanding positional sense.
Sergio Reguilón. Position: Left-back. Age: 21.
The attack-minded left-back has made a good impression in pre-season training so far, and Lopetegui could turn to him as a replacement for Theo Hernández, who looks set to join Real Sociedad on loan.
Óscar Rodríguez. Position: Central midfielder. Age: 20.
A central midfielder with great vision and real quality on the ball, he packs a fierce right-footed shot that makes him a danger from dead-ball situations.
José León. Position: Centre-back. Age: 23.
One of Castilla's 'veterans'. An assured, reliable presence in defence who is blessed with an ability to bring the ball out from the back.
Luis Miguel Quezada. Position: Left-back/left winger. Age: 22.
A hard-working player who can operate either at left-back or in a more advanced wide position, Quezada has a good shot and is known for delivering precision crosses.
Franchu. Position: Winger. Age: 20.
Franchu is right-footed, but can play on either flank. He is a very pacey winger with a real ability to go by players, but should score more goals.
