Spain boss De la Fuente hails Real Madrid youngster | OneFootball

Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente has this week moved to reveal his appreciation for the talents of Real Madrid starlet Raúl Asencio.

This comes amid speculation that the defender could soon be afforded a senior international call-up.

Asencio has of course enjoyed something of an explosion onto the Spanish football landscape over the course of recent weeks.

Amid an ongoing injury crisis at the heart of Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid backline, the 21-year-old has been thrust into the spotlight, with appearances in each of Los Blancos’ last three fixtures.

And, along the way, Asencio has thoroughly impressed.

Looking equally at ease on both sides of the ball, the youngster already looks like a player capable of carving out a long career for himself at the top level of the game.

So much so that Asencio has been tipped for an incoming call-up to the Spanish national team.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, it therefore came as little surprise when the name of Real Madrid’s breakthrough stopper was put to La Roja’s headmaster.

And, after first calling for patience, Luis de la Fuente, in quotes sourced by Mundo Deportivo, went on to praise Asencio for his adaptation to senior football:

“He is a boy we already had under control, he has been an international in different categories. But we have to give time to time. We don’t want to go too fast and rush events. Fortunately it is very good news for his club, for the player obviously, and for Spanish football, because whenever good footballers of the future join the cause, and he is one, we are all in luck.

“I think it’s fantastic, very good. Very difficult matches, where this type of footballer, at that age, shows that he has the talent and the class to be able to perform at the level required by Real Madrid. We’re all celebrating because he has more opportunities.”

Conor Laird – GSFN