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Takefusa Kuba, the 18-year-old Japanese sensation, may be playing in La Liga next season for Real Valladolid, rather than training with the first team and featuring mostly for Castilla. According to a report from El Chiringuito, Ronaldo Nazario’s insistence has paid off, with Kubo staying close to Madrid and playing alongside fellow Madrid loanee’s Javi Sanchez and Jorge De Frutos, two former Castilla players. Valladolid will be a team battling to stay up and stave off relegation.
Kubo would find playing time difficult at Real Madrid as he occupies a non-EU spot. There are only 3 non-EU spots within the team currently occupied by Valverde (Uruguayan), Vinicius JR (Brazilian), and Eder Militao (Brazilian). As reported earlier this week, Fede Valverde is expected to get his Spanish passport this week, freeing up a spot, but that spot will likely go to fellow young sensation, Rodrygo Goes (Brazilian).
Kubo has looked a level above Castilla throughout the preseason and has impressed the players, staff, and fans with his quality. A move to Valladolid may be the best option, as his development could potentially be hampered playing in Segunda B.