Real Madrid breakthrough talent on the radars of Spain U-21 national team | OneFootball

Raul Asencio has been one of the revelations of the season for Real Madrid, and a rather unexpected one.

The youngster was not the manager’s first choice backup in the centre-back department but injuries to Jacobo Ramon and Joan Martinez led to him getting a chance after Eder Militao’s setback.

At no point, however, did Asencio look unprepared and he dished out mature performances that led to the team winning seven of the nine games he played as a starter.

On the radar of La Rojita

The youngster’s rise has not gone unnoticed by the Spanish National Team and the quality he displayed for Real Madrid at the highest level has attracted interest from the U-21 national team outfit, as relayed by AS.

La Rojita are set to play the U-21 Euros next summer and the player thus has good chances of making the cut to feature for Santi Denia’s side in the event.

Raul Asencio could break into Spain Under-21 squad. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The subsidiary team manager is usually not one to look for players below the second division of Spanish football, but Asencio’s quality has made him create an exception. His place in the team, however, is far from certain.

For starters, there is serious competition for a place in central defence in Denia’s side with Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi a frontrunner and the likes of Rafa Marin, Dean Huijsen and Cristhian Mosquera also being serious contenders.

Further, La Rojita do not assemble again until March and Asencio’s call-up thus depends on how he manages to keep his name relevant until then. If he disappears under the radar and stays on the bench, his chances diminish significantly.

The youngster is expected to start later tonight for Real Madrid and his performance against Deportiva Minera may play a role in how the manager perceives him. Needless to say, a massive game stands ahead of the youngster.