Meet Real Madrid New Winger

PROFILE: The former La Fabrica graduate is set to
return following a year at Espanyol and will provide
Rafa Benitez with an interesting alternative in the
coming campaign
By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Writer
Real Madrid's renovation for 2015-16 is underway.
Winger Lucas Vazquez is set to become the first
signing for new coach Rafa Benitez as he returns
to the club where he emerged from the youth
system before moving to Espanyol last year.
But what can fans expect from the 23-year-old
midfielder?
Vazquez arrived at Real at the age of 15 and spent
seven years at the club. Largely ignored by former
coach Carlo Ancelotti when he stepped up to the
first team, however, he was forced to seek
opportunities elsewhere like so many Madrid
youngsters in the past, and left to join Espanyol
last summer.
But now he returns in a €1 million deal
reminiscent of when another former Madrid
youngster, Jose Callejon, was signed by the club
in 2011 following a successful spell at Espanyol.
Callejon was older and more established by then,
but there are similarities between the two transfers
and Benitez believes Vazquez will represent a
useful addition to his playing squad.
Tactically, he is a typical Benitez player. A pacy
winger with good dribbling abilities and a strong
right foot. Vazquez boasts one key quality often
lacking in Madrid players in his position: he works
extremely hard to track back and win balls, making
him an important player in defence as well as
attack.
Relatively short in stature at 1.73m, Vazquez
stands out for his speed and his commendable
work ethic, while he possesses good passing
skills as well and will be unlikely to complain if he
is left on the bench.
His presence also gives Benitez another alternative
on the right should he wish to switch Gareth Bale
back to the left, where the Welsh winger is much
more comfortable, and move Cristiano Ronaldo to
a central role.
On top of what he brings in terms of technique and
ability, the return of Vazquez will also help Madrid
fill their quota of homegrown and association-
trained players for their Champions League squad
in 2015-16.
Vazquez still needs to improve his shooting, but
he scored four goals in 39 appearances, adding
nine assists along the way, for Espanyol last
season and was considered a valuable asset by
coaching staff at the Catalan club.
Madrid kept tabs on their former player, too, and
inisisted on a buy-back option if he impressed in
Catalunya. So now he returns, just like Dani
Carvajal following the right-back's one-year spell
in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.
And having gained valuable experience in La Liga,
it is hoped Vazquez can continue his development
at the Bernabeu in 2015-16 - even though he will
have to compete with some of the world's best
players for a starting spot next season.