Ryan- I fully agree with the idea that promoting youth team players just for the sake of having them in the team is useless. And I also agree that loaning out players is a good way for them to grow. Roberto Soldado is a perfect example of this, as he spent a year training with the full squad, played a few games and scored a few goals, then went to Osasuna and did very well. But he comes back and does not get a look in. The players that are loaned out are unfortunately never given a chance because we buy players to replace the loanee’s and when they come back there is no space.

Granero and De La Red could easily start for us. Baptista has been excellent this year, but I get the feeling De La Red would have gotten the chance to impress next to Diarra first, as Gago has not. Granero would have been a good alternative to Sneijder/Guti on the right/playmaker role. Soldado should get more playing time, while Balboa certainly is good enough, and he should be given a shot on the right or left as a sub more often in league games. Torres is a great player, and if it wasnt for Sergio Ramos’ excellence he would surely start every game, but I assume unless we buy someone to replace Cannavaro, Sergio may revert back to the center next year. Adrian is on loan at Celta and hopefully he is doing well but I havent checked, while every time I saw Bueno play I liked what I saw, but he is a year or two away from a full promotion. Juan Mata and Jurado and Javi Garcia all thought they were ready for the first team, and they probably were, but they were denied a chance by a stubborn coach and a host of players we have bought over the past 3 years. I would like to see Jurado, Javi Garcia and Mata with us still, they all would make a big impact in our squad.

As for Dani Parejo, I have heard he is good, but David Moreno is a muh better prospect, I am going to continue my series on the youth team tomorrow and I will put a video of him up for you all to see.