10 young players to watch

By Harvey Cruz | Jun 11, 2018

TOPSHOT - France's foward Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring a goal during the friendly football match between France and Italy at the Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, southeastern France, on June 1, 2018. (Photo by VALERY HACHE / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images) /

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Marco Asensio of Spain looks on during the International friendly football match between Spain and Suisse, at La Ceramica Stadium, Vila-real on June 3, 2018 (Photo by Maria Jose Segovia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

2. Marco Asensio

You have to be a special player to make Spain’s World Cup squad as a midfielder. Marco Asensio is certainly special. The Real Madrid man may not have played as much as he hoped this season, but there’s no denying his awesome abilities. Entering his first World Cup at 22 years old, he’s poised to become a key player for Real and Spain.

The question for this tournament is how often, and where, he’ll play. La Roja‘s midfield is very, very crowded, with Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Koke, Saul, Thiago Alcantara, David Silva and Isco all vying for places. Asensio is the junior member of the group, but his ability to play as a natural winger should present him with opportunities.

Spain are in a difficult group with Portugal, Morocco and Iran, but will be desperate to bounce back after an embarrassing group-stage exit in 2014. Julen Lopetegui has re-invigorated the team with an injection of youth, and Asensio is a big part of that. He started four games in qualifying, and in Spain’s recent 6-1 friendly demolition of Argentina.

Asensio is as technically sound as you’d expect from a Spain international, strong on the dribble and can shoot from distance. He burst onto the scene as an impact sub and rotation player for Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid, and can have a similar positive impact on what Spain will hope is a victorious World Cup campaign.