La Liga: 5 Players Who Will Step Up in 2012

In order for La Liga to remain one of the best leagues in the world, it must be able to do two things consistently: recruit and bring up young, talented players and attract stars from foreign countries and clubs.

However, as anyone who watched the Miami Heat in 2011 will tell you, having the players isn't all it takes. Those players need to step up and perform. 

It's the players that play at their very best when they need to that allow La Liga to put forth elite performances and teams year after year.

So, who will it be this year? Who will step up?

1. Luka Modric

On Monday, according to ESPN, Luka Modric transferred to Real Madrid from Tottenham. The transfer completed one of the more important and publicized transactions of the summer.

With that kind of media attention comes enormous pressure.

Both Real Madrid and fans will expect the Croatian to live up to the hype and the €37 million transfer fee. If he is able to even approach the level he played at for Croatia in Euro 2012 and for Tottenham the past few seasons, he will be just fine.

He is an astounding distributor and controls the ball with ease. He is very dangerous with his shot, but more importantly, his vision of the field is impeccable.

As long as he gets his touches, expect Modric to step up for Real Madrid this season. 

2. Jordi Alba

Similar to Luka Modric, Jordi Alba will need to step up this season due to high expectations.

In the middle of a superb performance at Euro 2012, Alba signed with Barcelona for €14 million. Barca fans then got even more excited about Alba when he scored for Spain in the final of the Euros.

Now, Alba will need to meet those expectations.

He is a great defender who can use his speed and touch brilliantly to bring offensive danger on the wings. He is an intelligent player who sees the field well and moves up when necessary.

Barcelona is loaded with talent, but Alba in particular needs to perform if the Catalan club want to retain the La Liga title. 

3. Iker Muniain

Iker Muniain may be only 19 and 5'7", but he has already started to make his mark in La Liga. He made his first appearance for Spain's senior team last season and is ready to fly even higher.

Muniain is extremely skilled with the ball at his feet and gets by defenders with ease. He is very fast and uses his skill to open up space offensively. 

Athletic Bilbao need him this year, so expect the young Spaniard to step up. 

4. Adil Rami

Adil Rami is not the most well-known defender in the world, but he is quickly becoming one of the best.

Entering his second season with Valencia, Rami will look to continue his solid play in central defense. He is extremely strong and a great tackler. He has superb vision of the field and consistently gets to the ball and the man before anyone else.

He can also be dangerous offensively, specifically on corners, and in fact scored in his first game with Valencia. 

Valencia are no longer on par with clubs such as Barcelona and Real Madrid, so Rami will need to be superb this year to lead his team back to the top. 

5. Jeremy Toulalan

When Jeremy Toulalan's days with the French national team ended, many figured he was essentially done.

It would appear many were wrong.

Last season with Malaga, he proved that he remains a defensive midfielder of high quality. He does not provide much offensively, but he is an excellent tackler and can distribute the ball back up the pitch with ease. 

At only 28 years old, he is younger than many expect him to be. He isn't a flashy player, but his work linking the defense to the offense cannot be understated. 

This season, he will be essential to Malaga's success.