W e’ve rated and slated the most exciting young players to watch in 2013 from England, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and The Netherlands. Now The 10 Series is back with our 2014/15 edition – the lowdown on 60 of the best young players in Europe this season.

First up was the Eredivisie, now for The 10 Series 2014/15 – La Liga, our pick of La Liga best young players to watch this season, by David Cartlidge.

(NOTE: Although Neymar fits the criteria for the series, we’ve gone ahead and assumed most people know enough about the Brazilian forward to leave him out. The full list of The 10 Series articles can be found here.)

Previously: The 10 Series 2014/15 – Part I – Best Eredivisie youngsters

The 10 Series – La Liga best young players 2014/15:

Munir El Haddadi

(Barcelona, 19 years old)

La Masia is probably the most famous cantera in the world, and its ability to produce vast amounts of talent at both ends of the scale is remarkable. You make it, you stay at Barcelona and go on to be a legend. Or, you at least have a good few years. You don’t make it, you’re likely to end up at a good club and form a respectable career.

Munir El Haddadi it seems, is destined for greatness. In a summer dominated by Luis Suárez, Munir chose the Gamper Trophy to make sure it was La Masia that provided the excitement at the start of the season.

Then, after his impressive pre-season, he went on to score on his La Liga debut and won his first cap for Spain this month. He’ll score goals, that’s a given.

But there is more to Munir, the boy both Madrid teams will be kicking themselves for years to come for overlooking, despite him being on their doorstep. He’s smart, this kid, he tracks back, he understands the full game, the tactical side, and when to just pause. It makes him a fascinating watch, because despite his rawness, the special traits in his game are already evident.

José Gaya

(Valencia, 19 years old)

Valencia and left-backs. They’ll write a book on it one day. Jordi Alba, Juan Bernat, another exciting youngster called Salva Ruíz, and now José Gayá. This one, like Alba and Bernat, has been converted from left wing. The positive you get with that is attacking ability and confidence in the final third, both things that Gayá has in abundance.

In terms of footwork, first touch, and ability in small zones of the field, he’s magnificent. But what about on the back foot? Well, so far, so very good. He’s shown to be brilliant when it comes to covering, and the timing of his challenges is inch perfect. Watch this one closely.

Jonny

(Celta Vigo, 20 years old)

They’re calling him ‘Puyol’ at A Madroa, the training base of Celta Vigo that is brimming with the fruits of its labour. Jonny is a youngster with strong never-say-die attitude, resilience and an awareness of his surroundings that makes him a fearsome customer at his early age.

Technically he’s gifted too, offering the ability to play out of defence in both left-back and right-back roles. It’s this versatility that will carry him on, and his character of course. Talk of Luis Enrique keeping an eye on him for a future Barcelona role is not premature.

Unai López

(Athletic Bilbao, 18 years old)

The waves of excitement that engulfed the old San Mamés when a certain Iker Muniain stepped onto the turf are coming back again. This time, for a player similarly exciting, but who packs slightly more elegance as opposed to a rough exterior.

Unai López is causing all kinds of excitement with his ability to play between the lines, drift from wide positions into central areas as a classic 10, and driving at defenders with his agility. He’s a mash-up of Muniain, but also, David Silva. He’s the best of both worlds. The cries for his inclusion are increasing now Ander Herrera has departed, and Ernesto Valverde is listening.

Aymeric Laporte

(Athletic Bilbao, 20 years old)

No list of young players in La Liga would be quite complete without Aymeric Laporte. In fact, even though this list is in no particular order, Laporte is the player I’d firmly place at the top. His explosion came under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa, with the Argentinian coach highlighting Laporte’s ability on the ball, slick regaining of possession and composure as his main attributes.

Since then the boy from Agen in France has seen a rapid progression, and the fact that Athletic Bilbao have felt the need to push through three different contract renewals emphasises his status at the club. If this boy hasn’t got a 10 come the next review, I’ll be stunned.

Saúl Ñíguez

(Atlético Madrid, 19 years old)

Watching Saúl at Rayo Vallecano on loan last season you couldn’t help but notice the similarities to Sergi Busquets in his understanding of the game. Then, when with the Spain Under-21’s recently, he seemed to stand out from the crowd again due to his intelligence. There is a maturity to Saúl’s game few his age have, and there is also a versatility.

He can play at centre-back, defensive midfield, central midfield, and Diego Simeone has now used him as an interior. He’s forming quite the skill set is Saúl, and will be vital for Atleti – and Spain – sooner than you think. Top of his class, even when that class features some outstanding talent.

Denis Suárez

(Sevilla, 20 years old)

A big year awaits for a player with big ability. Denis can do what few players can, and that’s dictate the tempo of a game and decide how it will form. With Ivan Rakitic gone expect Denis, despite his tender years, to take the lead at Sevilla.

His ability to pick out a seemingly impossible pass meshes with the adeptness to keep it simple. Denis has the variation to take him to the top, and Sevilla is a perfect forming ground for this one Manchester City let get away.

Ricardo Horta

(Málaga, 19 years old)

A new face to La Liga but one we’ll all soon be talking about. Ricardo Horta is a wonderfully vibrant player, who shows the desire to beat opponents and produce something special. At times he can concede possession or run into a blind alley, but his determination and sheer imagination has to be respected.

Málaga are short on stars these days, but Horta could fill that void. Those quick feet will soon be taking off.

Gerard Deulofeu

(Sevilla on loan from Barcelona, 20 years old)

A player that some people will probably wonder why he is here. There is a good reason, and that is he still needs to find his definition point in Spanish football. Gerard Deulofeu’s loan move to Everton was a master stroke, but his latest short-term switch to Sevilla could be career-defining.

Sevilla and Unai Emery need to let Deulofeu be Deulofeu. Let him play, let him make errors, but help him on his way. Everyone seems dead set on knocking every inch of individuality he has out of him. That would be the biggest mistake, and we could see one of Spain’s most exciting talents beaten down. Quick, ambitious, skilful, unpredictable. These are amazing attributes. Let Deulofeu showcase them.

Paco Alcácer

(Valencia, 21 years old)

Paco Alcacer has obviously been on the scene for quite some time, but over the last 12 months we have perhaps seen what sort of striker he’ll actually become. Too much of Alcácer’s game before this 12 month spell was ineffective – he never seemed to trouble defenders nor seek positions where he could score.

Instead, there was a lot of running, a lot of movement into nowhere. Now, however, we’re seeing a predator in the penalty area. Outside of it meanwhile, he understands when and where to release the ball, before making a beeline for the box. Despite the arrival of Rodrigo and Álvaro Negredo, expect Alcácer to kick on and become a pure striker. A Spain cap also recently handed him the self-belief that is clearly required in his game.

*BONUS* Marco Asensio

(Real Mallorca, 18 years old)

Vitolo to Sevilla, Ayoze to Newcastle, Leo Ulloa to Leicester via Brighton. Spain’s Segunda Division is a good place for talent these days, and the next player who could well be looking at a big move is Marco Asensio.

While Real Mallorca’s cantera has hardly been prolific over recent years, in the 18-year-old they seem to have struck gold. He’s quick, confident and able to play a variety of roles across the final line of attacking midfield. He also packs a decent shot, and last season in a miserable year for Mallorca, the youngster brought about a great deal of cheer.

Barcelona want to get some of that according to rumours, and the same applies to Valencia and Real Madrid. Keep an eye on this one over the season, and impress your friends when Asensio ends up in the big time.

Which starlets are you most excited about seeing in Spain next season and who are the La Liga best young players today in your opinion? Have your say below, or let us know on Twitter @JustFootball.