Playerwatch 2004: Spain

By Paul Giblin

With their youngsters reaching the final at the FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates, it is obvious that Spain's football factory has been working overtime.

Quick developer
Some of that talent has already begun to flourish in the Primera División and a quick look at the goalscoring charts shows Club Atlético de Madrid's 19-year-old striker Fernando Torres to be the fastest developer of all.

First team chance
Tall, strong and very fast, Torres scored 13 goals last season and is well on his way to overhauling that total this term. He was given a first-team debut as a 16 year-old, but it was not until a year later that he held down a regular place. Although he struck only six goals in 2001/02, his pace and willingness to take defenders on have been vital since Atlético returned to the top flight.

International call up
This year Torres has even graduated to full international honours, after being called up by national coach Iñaki Saez, Despite a penalty miss on his debut he looks certain to be an international fixture for the next decade.

Young guns
While few other young players have come as far as fast as Torres, the Primera División also has several other faces to look out for. Attacking midfield player Jonan Garcia is one of Athletic Club Bilbao's most exciting prospects. A high work rate and excellent close control are his main weapons along with his ability to link midfield and attack.

First senior goal
The 20-year-old has quickly forced his way into coach Ernesto Valverde's plans, and scored his first senior goal against Real Racing Club Santander at the end of November.

Willingness to attack
The 21-year-old right-sided Andoni Iraola is another player to have forced his way into the Athletic first team after graduating through the youth ranks. Comfortable on the ball and with an admirable willingness to attack, he is equally at home in midfield or at full-back, and has been virtually ever-present this season domestically and has also appeared for Spain at Under-21 level.

Murillo talent
Following in Garcia and Iraola's footsteps at Athletic is yet another highly-talented youngster - 20-year-old Ander Murillo, who can play either in the centre of defence or at right-back and whose father won two league titles with Real Sociedad de Fútbol.

Explode to prominence
Among the other players to catch the eye, Real Madrid CF’s Raúl Bravo was switched from the left to fill a vacancy at centre-back following a disappointing loan spell in England with Leeds United AFC. If he continues to develop, he may provide Madrid with the defensive solidity they have long since missed, having previously found his way to the team blocked by Roberto Carlos. Arguably his greatest asset is his pace,and he has become a virtual ever-present under coach Carlos Queiroz.

Dead time
Striker Javier Portillo is still expected to explode to prominence despite his first team chances being blocked at present by Ronaldo's presence in Madrid side. The big question surrounding Portillo, who set a club record of 709 goals in seven years as a junior, is not his ability, but if he will be able to fulfil his potential at Madrid, or will he have to move on to do so.

Hope for Villareal
Elsewhere, Villarreal CF have produced a whole crop of promising players which indicates they will be a team to watch in years to come. Midfield players Cesar Arzo and Verza and forwards José Cases and Xisco have all been acquiring top-flight experience and are all still just 17 years old.