Loan Tracker #1: August

For young Real Madrid players out on loan last season, there were some unbelievable rises, objectives met and new stages unlocked. At the same time others suffered disappointment and ultimately termination of their Real Madrid dreams. This season things are going to be even better. The amount of players playing in La Liga has doubled for this year, with others continuing to play top tier football elsewhere in the world. There are also exciting loans in the second tier to follow, although the potential for failure remains. Like last year, all of the players are going to be sorted into categories using unimportant but relevant factors. These factors include their chances of being a Real Madrid first team player, my personal thoughts on them and how likely I am to watch them, the accessibility of their fixtures amongst more. Besides Luca Zidane this is in no way a reflection of their ability, and there is no reason at all to get sensitive at the categories. Nearly every player will get fully covered over the course of the season. It’s now time to introduce the brand new categories and the players within them for the 2019/20 season!

Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

The Gold Category

Martin Ødegaard - (Real Sociedad, La Liga)

Appearances: 3

Goals: 1

Assists: 0

Last season’s star loan player is finally playing in La Liga! The twenty-year old joined Real Sociedad ahead of Bayer Leverkusen or Ajax on an initial one year loan with the option to extend that to another. After playing the most minutes and being one of the best players during pre-season, he and his team got the season off to an excellent start away to Valencia. It was interesting to see how he would react in the presence of superior quality in comparison to Holland, but he put in a really strong and complete performance against in a really difficult arena to shine in. After being 1-0 down for the majority of the match in that game, the managed to salvage a draw in the dying second through a last minute penalty. The next match was all about Martin. They continue to play away, due to the finishing touches being added to their stadium, and travelled to Mallorca. Takefusa Kubo was present, but could only watch as Martin put in a superb performances, snatching both the winning goal in a 1-0 win, and the man of the match award. His third game of the month is actually the performance that lost him the star player award. A local derby away to Bilbao is never easy, and Martin had one of the worst performances I’ve seen from him as he lost his first ever La Liga game 2-0. Nearly everything he tried during the game failed. His usually world class passing was off, he was unable to have any relevant impact on the game and his team were simply bested. I suppose that this being one of the poorer showings that I have seen from him could be viewed as a compliment. He was still one of Sociedad’s better players, he worked so hard and he could well have scored his second goal in two games right at the end as his influence was growing.

I will be watching Sociedad and Martin very regularly throughout the season, and I do think that they will do well. There is a few aspects to their game that need improvement, but Martin’s role is nothing short of perfect. Socieded dominate possession, but the majority of their play is muted and held by the back four. They really struggle to make that link into the midfield and attack. Illaramendi is vital to this, but even when he’s playing the team can often grow frustrated at the lack of openings further afield. Experienced left-back Nacho Monreal has just signed, but I think they should really be focusing to bring in a midfielder that can hold the team together in the short time left of the transfer window. Martin himself often drops back to pick up the ball and carry it forward. Bilbao game aside, his passing has been Real Madrid standard, and he is always looking to play a forward pass up into danger. He has also looked likely to score in every game so far, taking his improved shooting along with him from Holland. His task for the next few months is to simply translate his Vitesse form and ability into La Liga. At the moment some factors are already fully present, but others are provided through mere flashes. If he can impose himself fully, then he will become one of the league’s most dangerous players. It’s no surprise at all to see him up for the star player award so soon into his La Liga career. Yet again I will continue to cherish watching Martin Ødegaard play football for a season.

Sergio Reguilón - (Sevilla, La Liga)

Appearances: 3

Goals: 1

Assists: 1

I could talk about the rise of Sergio Reguilón until the cows come home. And I have. Julien Lopetegui, a man that receives scandalously little credit for his role in Sergio’s evolution, was hired at Sevilla - and had one player on his mind. As soon as it became apparent that Reguilón was available for loan after Mendy had signed, no time was wasted to bring him in. Lopetegui’s good faith was yet again rewarded as the defender put in a stellar performance, contributing to a goal and an assist on his debut, a 2-0 win against Espanyol. Sevilla won the next game against Granada 1-0, but for Reguilón it brought disappointment. He came off early, concussed after just twenty minutes. It was surprising to see him return so quickly against Celta Vigo, but he was in the starting line-up, and against showed off the amazing level his is currently playing at. Despite their dominance, Sevilla drew that game 1-1.

This in a way is a perfect move for Sergio. Lopetegui trusts him so much, and he is almost guaranteed a starting spot at one of the strongest sides in La Liga. Especially after these early performances. If things keep moving in this direction, then his Real Madrid days will be far from over. Sergio takes this months star player award for continuing to amaze me beyond belief. A supreme example for any young player at Real Madrid.

Takefusa Kubo - (Mallorca, La Liga)

Appearances: 0

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Takefusa Kubo secured a loan move to Mallorca and La Liga in August, but is yet to fully integrate into the side. That is normal as he has barely had a chance to train or meet his teammates, yet alone play. I’m very curious to see how this move turns out, and I am expecting these numbers to rapidly increase. That could well begin today as Mallorca travel to Valencia.

Achraf Hakimi - (Borussia Dortmund, Bundesliga)

Appearances: 5

Goals: 1

Assists: 0

I contemplated putting Hakimi on this list at all. He has basically made it as a more than competent top level right-back now. After just recovering from an injury, he is now attempting to win his place back in the Dortmund starting line-up. His attempts had to come from the bench, as he featured in four games. He won a trophy in the first of those, coming on in the 2-0 SuperCup win over Bayern Munich. He also scored in the 3-1 win against Köln. He finally started last game against Union Berlin, but that resulted in a shock 3-1 defeat putting his progress in jeopardy. His start remains positive though.

The Silver Category

Óscar Rodríguez - (Leganés, La Liga)

Appearances: 2

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

I thought that Óscar might strive for a stronger team after the truly amazing season that he had last year, but Leganés secured his services for another loan deal very early in the summer. At least this guarantees him another year full of top league football. He has played two out of the three games so far, but only missed the third due to suspension. He picked up a straight red card right at the end of the 1-0 defeat to Osasuna. After missing the defeat to Atlético Madrid, he returned against Real Betis and had a hand in the goal. His shot was parried for Braithwaite to tap home, but Leganés still lost the game 2-1. The team may really struggle in La Liga this year, but it still surprises me to this day how influential and strong Óscar looks at the highest level. He is low-key one of the best performing youngsters at Real Madrid.

Photo by Pressinphoto/Icon Sport via Getty Images

Andriy Lunin - (Real Valladolid, La Liga)

Appearances: 0

Clean Sheets: 0

Real Valladolid were bigged up as a huge asset to Real Madrid this summer, offering young players top level football to develop within when they are ready for the next stage. To be honest, this “project” has gotten off to an absolutely dreadful start. Madrid sent three talented players on loan this summer, and none of them have played at all yet. Lunin has had it better than the others, though. He has been on the bench for all three of Valladolid’s opening games. A repeat of last season would be a disaster. Watch this space.

Javier Sánchez - (Real Valladolid, La Liga)

Appearances: 0

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Javier Sánchez hasn’t even made a match-day squad yet. There have been rumours that he hasn’t even been registered into the squad yet. A player that thrived in the Real Madrid first team last year, and that could start for Valladolid is nowhere to be seen. The season has just been born, but this situation will need to be sorted out as soon as possible.

Jorge De Frutos - (Real Valladolid, La Liga)

Appearances: 0

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

De Frutos looks even further away from the squad. He hasn’t made a single squad either yet, and is suffering from the same registration rumours and Javier Sánchez. Unlike Sánchez, though - it is unclear if De Frutos even has a squad number yet. You can see why Takefusa Kubo avoided Valladolid like the plague... A “partnership” killed before it really started?

The Bronze Category

Borja Mayoral - (Levante, La Liga)

Apperances: 2

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

I was disappointed when Borja returned to Levante this summer. He was still showing signs of promise, predominately with the youth national team - and a move to a stronger outfit could have given him the platform to transfer that form into La Liga. Either way, his start at Levante has been muted statiscally. He started two games, against Alavés (1-0 loss) and Valladolid (2-0 win) respectively, but is yet to get off of the mark. He can still build on the last campaign and complete a really beneficial season this year.

Alberto Soro - (Real Zaragoza, La Liga123)

Appearances: 2

Goals: 0

Assists: 1

Soro was purchased this summer and immediately loaned back out to Zaragoza. He recorded an assist against Dani Gómez’s Tenerife in a 2-0 win, and featured shortly in the 1-1 draw with newly promoted Ponferradina. He then was benched for the 1-0 win over Elche. A purchase that I will never understand, but I am nevertheless eager to follow Soro’s progress this season.

Dani Gómez - (Tenerife, La Liga123)

Appearances: 2

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Dani Gómez enjoyed an excellent pre-season after moving to Tenerife from Castilla, and could be set to overtake Borja Mayoral in the queue if he has a good campaign. He has features in the first two games for Tenerife, but is yet to make his mark. There is a long way yet to go, though...

The White Category

Sergio Díaz - (Cerro Porteño, Paraguayan Primera División)

Appearances: 4

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

A player that I am still after three years hoping to see even a glimmer of hope for, but alas - nothing. Things have already turned sour for Sergio back home in Paraguay. After four measly cameo showings, the fans that supported him so greatly are starting to turn and question his conduction. It has gotten to the point where I am genuinely worried that his professional status in in danger. This is one loan worth keeping an eye on for all of the wrong reasons.

Augusto Galván - (CyD Leonesa, Segunda División B)

Appearances: 0

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

A move I didn’t understand for a talented player, who looked the part during pre-season and last year. He can have a great year at Leonesa and prove a point, but he is yet to play as of the first game. I expect him to flourish this year for one of the strongest teams in Castilla’s group.

Alberto - (Fuenlabrada, La Liga123)

Appearances: 0

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Another confusing move, but either-way Alberto is still recovering from a nasty injury picked up for Castilla last season. This means that he is not available to play at the moment, but if he does manage to feature consistently for Fuenlabrada in the second division then this could be a great match for him.

Moha Ramos - (Birmingham City, The Championship)

Appearances: 0

Clean Sheets: 0

If those moves were confusing, then this one takes the biscuit. Anything other than consistent minutes for the Birmingham City first team in the English second tier will immediately kill off his Real Madrid future. At the moment it looks like he was signed to play for the under-23’s, which is just baffling. The loan does come with an option to buy, but now a once promising Real Madrid keeper hoping to make the first team is a promising Birmingham keeper hoping to make the first team. Talk about a fall from grace...

Luca Zidane - (Racing Santander, La Liga123)

Appearances: 1

Clean Sheets: 0

If you think I am now going to voluntarily watch Luca Zidane try to play football after having to put up with his incompetence for years, then you are completely wrong. His numbers will be added here, but very little more.

I cannot wait for this season to really get going, and to see which players are going to advance and break out. Many of these players now have the power to give Zidane a headache when selecting future Real Madrid season squads. These will be the categories for the season, but I am still open to player requests. Dani Ceballos will not be included on this list before that question flies in, as he is far enough down the developmental line to stand alone. Matt Wiltse and Kiyan Sobhani also do a great job of covering him during podcasts and individual pieces. Jesus Vallejo has been considered but besides him there really isn’t much left to cover. Remember that Febas, Tejero, Seaone and numerous others are not out on loan - but have been sold both with and without buyback clauses. Make sure to check out that loan tracker podcast, as well as the future instalments of this written project. I love hearing your opinions on the club’s young players and how they are faring out on loan, so be sure to let me know your thoughts.

August’s Star Player: Sergio Reguilón!