Gonzalo leaves for Fulham: the path of Madrid's academy graduates

Gonzalo and César Palacios are the latest academy graduates from Real Madrid to head to Fulham in the Premier League. A move that, far from being unusual, mirrors the trajectory of dozens of players developed at La Fábrica who found their opportunity elsewhere.

The story of these transfers is one of players trapped in positions occupied by elite starters. Dani Carvajal left Madrid in 2012 for Bayer Leverkusen, proved his quality in one season and returned to become an undisputed starter in defence. Achraf Hakimi had Carvajal blocking his path on the right flank: he passed through Dortmund and Inter before cementing himself at PSG. Marcos Llorente faced a wall in midfield with Casemiro, Kroos and Modric, so he landed at Atlético, where Simeone turned him into a versatile player.

Dani Parejo is another success story: after spells at Getafe to mature, he became a standout at Valencia, where he won titles under Rafa Benítez. Arbeloa is now Fulham's manager, who knows this transition well: he left Madrid in 2006 for Deportivo, travelled to Liverpool and returned in 2009 for the white shirt's rebuild.