Real Zaragoza's academy prospects take centre stage

Real Zaragoza showcases its academy prospects under sporting director Lalo Arantegui's renewed focus on youth development, featuring eleven emerging talents from La Ciudad Deportiva.

Real Zaragoza has recommitted to its academy model under sporting director Lalo Arantegui, who returned to the club with a clear ideology: prioritize homegrown talent. Arantegui's motto — "in case of a tie, the local player wins" — reflects this philosophy.

Manager Ibai Gómez has integrated several academy prospects into the squad, including Jaime Tobajas, Diego Monzón, Sergio Beltrán, Lalo Arantegui Jr, Ignacio Vázquez and Laken Torres. The club has identified eleven standout talents progressing through the youth ranks and into senior football at the club's training ground.

These prospects range from defenders like Ignacio Vázquez, described as the academy's major defensive project with excellent positioning and aerial ability, to attacking talents like Sergio Beltrán, who returned from a year at Celta Vigo's academy to shine in Zaragoza's reserve team. Goalkeeper Manolache represents hope in a position that has historically been difficult for academy graduates, bringing modern goalkeeping skills and international experience at youth level with Romania.