New Year demands new heroes and Real Madrid are in the drastic need of ones. With the old guard like Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Benzema and Marcelo not getting any younger, it's time for the talented prospects to step up.
Thankfully, Real Madrid have plenty of those. Atharva Khadilkar looks at Real Madrid squad, trying to predict who among the so-called second row of player is most likely to step up in 2019.
The reliable one: Lucas Vazquez
"Isco has fallen down the pecking order and Marco Asensio’s poor run of form has seen Lucas Vazquez get into the starting eleven almost regularly under Santiago Solari. The 27-year-old is one of the players who absolutely loves Real Madrid and gives his heart and soul in every match that he plays.
"Seemingly now, he has impressed the Real Madrid management to such a level that he now has a fixed berth in the preferred line-up. Vazquez is a pure workhorse and what he brings to the team is incredible and unbelievable at the same time. If he can continue with the awesome job that he has done, he will be one of the most important Real Madrid players in the 2019 calendar year."
The exciting one: Marcos Llorente
"In the second week of November, Casemiro suffered a muscular injury that was set to rule him for a period of six weeks. Given that the player he has and his worth to the Real Madrid midfield, there were obviously worries about who would come in to fill his place. But little did anyone know that there was a baby-faced assassin in Marcos Llorente waiting for his turn.
"Marcos Llorente has seized his opportunity with both hands and has emerged as a fan favourite at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after the recent displays which he has put in. Now that Santiago Solari has a player who is so good that he’s being likened to Sergio Busquets, he will use Llorente often in 2019 and make sure that the minutes between him and Casemiro are distributed. Also, Kroos won’t have to play in an impeded position."
The wildcard: Dani Ceballos
"Real Madrid signed Dani Ceballos at the start of the 2017/18 season after he impressed at the U21 European Championship. However, the beginning to life at Real Madrid was nothing short of miserable for the former Real Betis midfielder. In fact, Ceballos started only one league match for the whole season and was left frustrated for the entire campaign.
"But Zidane’s resignation at the end of last season was a blessing in disguise for him as he managed to grow into a player who gets lots of minutes this season. Ceballos has been featuring almost consistently whether as a substitute or a player in the starting eleven. With Modric aged 33 now, Ceballos will get numerous and even greater chances in the upcoming year."
The youngest one: Sergio Regulion
"In all probability, Real Madrid will be ready to let Theo Hernandez leave the club or send him out on another loan spell at the end of this season. That will signify that Marcelo’s competency at left back will be provided by the young fullback in Sergio Reguilon who is a product of Real Madrid’s famous academy - La Fabrica.
"The 22-year-old has put in great effort to win over Santiago Solari and there is a high chance that the Argentinian boss will trust Reguilon for the next season as well. As the year gets busier and Marcelo gets older, Sergio Reguilon will be coming to good use for Real Madrid starting from 2019 itself. He will play a massive role in the Copa del Rey if Los Blancos go far."
