Football Wonderkid Scout

 Castilla Striker Álvaro Morata

including former Barcelona striker Sammy Eto'o and Valencia star Juan Mata.

However, that could be set to change on Saturday when Jose Mourinho confirmed young Real Madrid Castilla striker Álvaro Morata will be in the squad to face Osasuna. The 17 year-old starlet (pictured above) who has been training with the first team all week, has been tipped by Spanish newspaper Marca to make his debut, which has been surrounded by intense hype in the media, last seen with Raul's first appearance for Real as a 17 year-old back in 1994. With Mourinho failing to sign a central striker in the transfer window, Morata is a player who has a strong all round game. Good in the air and holding up the ball, clinical finishing ability and excellent movement, Morata has been compared to Fernando Morientes due to his style. Signed from the Getafe in 2008, Morata is described as one of the future stars of Spain and has been ever present at international youth level. It is something of a surprise Morata was omitted from the Spanish squad at the recent Uefa Under-19 European Championships, but with his time in his side, Morata should get his chance to shine.

Competing with Álvaro Morata for a striking berth at Castilla, is Joselu, Cristian and Samu. Joselu, standing at 6"2 is a big old fashioned target man and mainly operates in the box. A skillful player, his eye catching performances for Celta Vigo in the Segunda division led to Real Madrid making a move for the starlet as an addition to their Castilla team. Signed by Los Merengues in the summer of 2009, the 20 year-old striker was immediately loaned back to Celta Vigo but moved to the Bernabeu during the close season. A Spanish youth international since he was 18, he has been capped up to Under-21 level, winning four caps and scoring one goal. He will now need to confirm his early promise in the Primera División, something which he may struggle with at Castilla. Joselu will be hoping to catch Jose Mourinho's attention and, otherwise he could become frustrated and take a loan route out of the club, similar to that of Álvaro Negredo or Roberto Soldado. Cristian finished top scorer of Castilla last season after arriving from Alicante. Usally playing as a second striker, Cristian likes to drop deep and gather the ball. Although he may start the season as first choice at Castilla, he may be pushed to the bench by the end of the season due to his lack of height and pace which may slow his progression.

Promoted to Castilla from the C team along with Pablo Sarabia, Samu and Rodrigo last season was Juan Carlos. As a central midfielder, he scored 10 goals in half a season, a very strong showing for a previously unheralded player. The 20 year-old box-to-box midfielder is full of energy, has an excellent range of passing and has good movement. He looks set to be the next centra midfield star of cantera, much like De la Red, Esteban Granero and Dani Parejo in recent years. Unfortunate not to have been called up to the first team in pre-season, Juan Carlos will be hoping to impress Mourinho. At 23 years-old Fran Rico is one of the older Castilla players, but the hugely talented midfielder's career could have paved out somewhat differently had it not been blighted by injury. Likened to Xabi Alonso, Fran Rico has the ability to move the ball around the pitch from a central position and will form a good partnership with Juan Carlos. Operating on the flanks is Juanfran who is arguably the star of Castilla, so much so that after only a few days of training with the first team he made the USA tour, so Mourinho clearly recognises his talent, so much so that he compared him to a junior Cristiano Ronaldo. If he does not make a breakthrough in the early part of the season, Juanfran may find himself subject to the interest of rival La Liga clubs willing to give him valuable first team experience.

Alex Fernández who is younger brother to Castilla's starting left back Nacho Fernández, is an energetic midfielder who is just 17 years-old and will compete with Juan Carlos for the more creative central midfielder. Some believe he is good that he could make the jump to Segunda football already. Having trained with the first team during the summer he looks set for a very bright future at the Bernabeu. Another defender impressing is Juanan who is a good in the air and calm on the ball. Linked with a promotion to the first team on several occasions he will be the target of other La Liga or Segunda clubs in the next year if he continues to impress.