Mid Season Report: Top 9 young La Liga talents 2013-14

9. Leo Baptistao ( ? 7 )

Age: 21 | Club: Atletico | Nationality: Brazilian | Position: Attacking Midfielder | La Liga Appearances: 5

The ex-Rayo player made the move to Atletico this season, and the competition for places up front from players like Oliver, Villa and Costa has meant that chances for Baptistao have been rare this term. All of his 5 league appearances came towards the beginning of the season. He managed to start brightly enough, notching up an assist in the first game against Sevilla.

He even got on the scoresheet against Zenit in the Champions League, scoring the third to polish off the Russians. It’s been tough going since then for the Brazilian forward. He’ll be hoping to make some inroads into the Atleti team for the second half of the season to make more of an impact.

Atletico Madrid are going into an exciting period in the season, competing at all levels. Baptistao may thus find chances hard to come by. Don’t expect him to rise too much in the list.

8. Alvaro Morata ( ? 8 )

Age: 21 | Club: Real Madrid | Nationality: Spanish | Position: Forward | La Liga Appearances: 10

Being at Real Madrid, among all the stars there, Morata was always going to find it hard to nail down a regular starting spot. Of his 10 appearances, only one has been a start. He hasn’t done all that badly though, despite the lack of chances, scoring twice. He even managed an assist against Kobenhavn in the UEFA Champions League group game. Morata may want to look at a short term move to get more playing time if Ancelotti isn’t going to trust him with more playing time.

It will continue to be hard for Morata to get chances at Real Madrid. After his fantastic U-21 Euro performances, we expected him to feature more. Unless he is able to see more first-team action, he won’t get anywhere near the top half.

7. Alvaro Vadillo ( ? 10 )

Age: 19 | Club: Real Betis | Nationality: Spanish | Position: Winger | La Liga Appearances: 13

Real Betis were the surprise package of last season, but it’s all gone wrong for the Andalusian side this one. Pepe Mel has left the club in a precarious position, and of course, the players aren’t faultless. Of these players, Vadillo is one that we picked out to do well this season, but the young winger hasn’t really set the stage on fire. Of his 10 starts, he’s managed to finish the full 90 on only one occasion. The 19 year old Spaniard has made 2 assists this season, without getting on the score sheet even once. Surely, the second half of the campaign can only get better for both club and player.

Although Vadillo has climbed the table, it has little to do with his own performances and more to do with others’ lack of appearances. He has played regularly though. But if Betis continue with their poor form, Vadillo may struggle to show his own quality too.