The Young Stars Ready to Roll Out of Real Madrid's Youth System

There's long been a debate in Spain about the quality of Real Madrid's youth system.

Partly because their fierce rivals Barcelona, in the past few seasons especially, have produced so many talented players.

But also because Madrid have managed to let so many slip through the net—Juan Mata, Alvaro Negredo and Roberto Soldado are among those who have left the club and gone on to to make a name for themselves at an elite level of football.

Madrid are seemingly loath to do this again; Carlo Ancelotti is doing his best to include Alvaro Morata and Jese Rodriguez as much as possible this season.

Below the first team though, do Los Blancos have much to crow about?

Jose Rodriguez

Jose Rodriguez doesn't turn 19 until later this year, but the rangy central midfielder has already made his La Liga and Champions League debuts for Real Madrid.

Now a regular in the Castilla side, Rodriguez has represented Spain at U-17 and U-19 level—captaining the latter in this summer's European Championships—and is now a member of the U-20 squad.

Unfortunately for him, central midfield isn't an area where Ancelotti is particularly lacking at the moment.

Derik Osede and Diego Llorente

Two central defenders, both born in 1993, could find themselves vying for a spot alongside Raphael Varane in a few years if Sergio Ramos ever gets old.

Derik Osede and Diego Llorente have both represented Spain up to U-20 level. But while Osede has been a more prominent feature at international level, it's Llorente who's already featured for the first team.

The 20-year-old made his debut in the final game of last season against Osasuna.

Juvenil A

The last age group before entering senior football at Real Madrid is littered with exciting prospects and youth internationals.

Jaime Sanchez (18, born 1995) is one of them.

A Spain U-19 centre-back whose strengths include being dominant in the air and playing the ball out from the back, Osede and Llorente may have to keep an eye on him in the coming years.

Further forward there's a central midfielder, Aleix Febas (17, born 1996) who arrived at Madrid's youth setup from Lleida in Catalunya.

He possesses real quality on the ball and is a regular with Spain at U-17 level—imagine a Catalan spearheading Madrid's midfield.

Part of that same Spain side is winger Cristian Artiles (17, born 1996).

Capable of playing on either wing, it's not gone unnoticed in the Spanish capital that Artiles is capable of golazos on a frequent basis.

Inspired by a certain Cristiano Ronaldo maybe?

Family Connections

Part of that same Juvenil A side are a couple of 18-year-olds who possess a rich family history when it comes to football.

Real Madrid TV commentator Phil Kitromilides says that midfielder Marcos Llotente (18, born 1995)—son of Paco Lloretne and nephew of the legendary Paco Gento—is of real quality.

The club's official website says he is "the catalyst of the team's attacking play and is great on the overlap."

Next up, see if you can spot the family connection in the name of midfielder Enzo Zidane (18, born 1995).

He is, of course, the son of current Real Madrid assistant coach Zinedine Zidane.

The jury still seems to be out on just how good Zidane MK II can be—it's easy to leap to conclusions because of his name—but his technique and control is impressive.

The Scottish Link

Finally, dipping into the Juvenil B team, comes Scotland's very own Jack Harper (17, born 1996).

Already a youth international for his country, Harper is one of three brothers who grew up in the south of Spain when their parents moved there in the '90s.

His older brother Ryan plays in the lower leagues in Spain, while his younger brother Mac plays for Fuengirola.

Jack is the outstanding talent though, with the Real Madrid website suggesting the striker has that rare ability to completely surprise defences.

Speaking to futbolgrande, Ryan Harper believes that his little brother is destined for great things in the future:

"He will make it in La Liga, take my word for it."

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