Real Madrid’s training center has been hugely successful in producing footballers, but not for Real…
Currently, the only proven talents from the academy who are part of the first team are over thirty: Lucas Vazquez, Dani Carvajal and Nacho Fernandez, while Fran Garcia seems set to leave this summer. However, one of their emerging talents is making waves at Valdebebas.
“Today it is difficult to say… but I assure you that Joan Martinez will be a better footballer than Pau Cubarsi,” a member of the training center staff told Relevo. Martinez, who is the same age as Cubarsi, is currently playing with the under-19s, having progressed through two levels in a month. He currently works under Alvaro Arbeloa and could play for Castilla next season.
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Already imposing, Martinez stands 188cm (6ft.2′) tall, and he is fast, winning almost all of his duels. He has been compared to Sergio Ramos for his mane, his personality on the pitch and his skill with the ball. His demands are high, according to the Madrid media, and Martinez performs very well on the field and at school, often winning thanks to his competitive nature – his teammates describe him as “an animal”.
Hailing from Valencia, Martinez was a target for FC Barcelona, Villarreal, Atlético Madrid and foreign teams, but Real Madrid ended up winning the race for one of Spain’s most promising defenders. The question that still arises is whether we give Martinez a chance. If Martinez is as good as Real Madrid think he is, he might be able to turn things around.
In recent years, Real Madrid’s policy of loaning players out or selling them with a buyout clause seems to be paying off, with players like Rafa Marin and Miguel Gutierrez performing well this year. It remains to be seen if they will be brought back, and if Real Madrid will be able to manage their development.
