Julen Jon Guerrero: Son of a legend with an aura on the field

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Traditionally, there have always been many talented players who receive plenty of attention from the media. Gavi leads the players born in 2004 with a market value of €25 million, and the 17-year-old has already managed the jump to the big stage. Another player born in 2004 could soon turn head with his sporting abilities but also because of his last name could be Julen Jon Guerrero from Real Madrid.

His father is Julen Guerrero, a legend at Athletic Bilbao and the Spanish national team, with whom he played at the 1994 and 1998 World Cup as well as Euro 1996. Right now, he is the coach of Spain's U17 national team. There have also been rumors that he could take over the academy at Athletic Club. Julen Jon is also the nephew of Txefe Guerrero, who at the end of the 1990s played for Racing Santander and Real Sociedad in LaLiga.

Guerrero Junior does not only carry his father's name but also plays in a similar position. He is an attacking midfielder, a playmaker, or a false-9, a little bit further forward on the field than his father. His technique and ability to finish in front of the goal seem to be part of his genetics. Abilities that you can simply not learn. Guerrero can read the game, is playful, has capabilities that spectators like to watch; it all comes with a certain aura on the pitch. A similar build and haircut lead to further comparisons with his father. The only real difference between the two is the preferred foot. Unlike his father, Guerrero is left-footed.

Talents Calendar Day 22: Julen Jon Guerrero

"The development of the playmaker at Real Madrid has already caught attention and hope; he is currently not far removed from Real's second team Real Madrid Castilla, which is coached by club legend Raúl," Tudela Rascón (tonitr9399), who is a Transfermarkt user and also works on the Spanish speaking Instagram account said. "His qualities include his left foot and his goalscoring instincts, which have already become apparent while playing for Spain's junior national teams."

Like father, like son? Guerrero also scouted by Athletic Bilbao

After impressing at the previous junior national team levels, Guerrero has been a regular for Spain's U18. The midfielder already made his debut in the UEFA Youth League last September and scored his first goal in his club's 4-1 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol with his first ball contact of the game.

Guerrero started his footballing career at Málaga's academy but moved to the Spanish capital to play for Real Madrid in 2018. At the same time, his father began to work for Spain's junior national teams (U15 and U16), which meant they moved to Madrid together. At Real, Guerrero has already worked with Raúl; it should not be a surprise if he is moved up to the second team sooner rather than later.

The midfielder still has a long path ahead of him and will have to work hard to become more than just the son of a legend. To step out of the shadow of their father has been difficult for many previous players. Especially, as his father will always be a part of LaLiga folklore after a violent clash with Diego Simeone. Whether son Julen Jon will become a legend in world football remains to be seen, but he certainly has the talent to make his own path.

At Real Madrid, he certainly will be given an excellent football education. Furthermore, it is almost overdue for a player to emerge from the academy and make his way into the first team. The pathway from the academy to the first team has been plugged in recent years. But many talents have managed to become stars by taking a different route. Guerrero's name comes with both hope and expectations that would undoubtedly fascinate the fans at Real Madrid.

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"The doors at our club are open," Athletic Bilbao president Aitor Elizegi said when asked not just about his future academy boss Julen Guerrero but also his son. In just a few years, the latter could become an important part of solving the club's problems in attack. Because Julen Jon was born in Bizkaia, he would be allowed to play for Athletic Bilbao, who traditionally only sign Basque players. One thing seems for sure. The name Guerrero will remain present in the football world.

From December 1 to 24, we introduce new players from different countries born in 2004. Area managers, users, and data scouts come into play as experts throughout the series. You can follow all those players by adding them to your TM watchlist.