10.12. We have been asked to include information on the Real Madrid youngsters who are coming through. To date the following 'chavales' have featured in one way or another in first team matches:

Post Script. Time for the fledglings to leave the nest, and most of last year's brood have already flown. Zárate's contract was not renewed, and he has returned to Vélez Sarsfield in Argentina, although he has been linked with a couple of teams here and could return. Dorado has joined second division Salamanca on a one year loan after failing to find a first division team interested in him. Fernando has done better, joining Valladolid, also for one year. Oliver was told he had no place with three keepers staying on, and he has moved on to Compostela. Meca has been dumped, and he must either return to Real Madrid B or find another club. The only one who has really done well so far is Casillas, who made his debut for Spain recently and was their first choice keeper in their opening World Cup 2002 qualifier. For next season César (defender), Corona and Sousa joined the first team on their pre-season tour of Switzerland together with another youngster Julio Álvarez, who is apparently more likely to succeed than any of the others. Two other young players, Rivera and Tote, came back from their loan periods with Numancia and Benfica respectively, and may well stay with the first team this season.

21.05. Casillas kept a clean sheet against Valencia in the Champions League final and has been called up by Camacho for the full Spanish squad for Euro 2000.

21.05. Casillas was the only one who played against Valladolid. He will be in Spain's under 21 squad for the upcoming European championships, and is rumoured to be on the short list for the full squad.

14.05. Casillas a bit shaky in the Champions League semi-final, but did enough and he will probably play the final. Meca and Sestelo were on the bench to make up numbers. Casillas kept a clean sheet at Betis on Sunday.

07.05. Casillas kept a clean sheet against Bayern Munich and played well against Alavés. Youngsters called upon to fill the bench for the match against Alavés as key players rested, with Meca coming on for the last 10 minutes and Sestelo on the bench.

30.04. Other than Casillas, Dorado, Aganzo and Zárate were non-playing substitutes in the cup. With many injuries for their league match, Dorado, Sestelo, Meca and Corona were substitutes, although only Dorado came on, three minutes from time.

23.04. Casillas played against Manchester United and Racing. Although he played well in both games, he let in six goals in all, a set back after leading the goalkeepers table since he made it to the first team. Dorado was on the bench for both games, but didn't come on.

16.04. Dorado joined Casillas in the semi-final with Roberto Carlos injured. Two young midfielders from the B team, Fernando and Sousa, were on the bench for the first time, but neither played. Fernando did get a start however against Zaragoza, and he played the whole match.

09.04. Only Casillas played this week, and with the return of Anelka there was no place for any youngsters in Sunday's squad.

02.04. Casillas saved his team on Saturday with a series of great saves against Real Sociedad. The return of Savio and Balic relegated Meca and Aganzo to the bench.

26.03. Two great games by Casillas consolidated his position, and was called up by Camacho again for the Spanish under 21 side. With Morientes injured, Aganzo started the match against Rosenborg, being replaced in the second half by Balic. Zárate started in the league against Rayo, with Aganzo coming on in his place for the last 15 minutes.

19.03. Casillas played both Champions League and league, and with Illgner injured again he looks likely to keep his place for some time. Meca came on as substitute against Dynamo Kiev.

12.03. Casillas played both matches this week. David Arganzo made his home debut in the game against Sevilla, replacing Morientes for the last fifteen minutes. Meca and Dorado were on the bench.

05.03. Only Casillas played in the Champions League, but Meca and Zárate were late substitutes against Oviedo and Arganzo was on the bench.

27.02. With the return to the side of Anelka, Morientes and Raúl against Barcelona, only Casillas kept his place, with Zárate on the bench.

20.02. The super-babes saved Madrid this week, with Meca getting the only goal on Tuesday against Valladolid to take them third in the league, and Zárate scoring the winner against Mérida in extra time on Thursday which took his team into the semi-finals of the cup. Meca has now played ten times for the first team and under league rules cannot return to the B side. Zárate got his first league start against Valencia and Madrid are paying Vélez Sarsfield the three million Dollar optional transfer clause this week rather than wait to the end of the season. Dorado has started the last two matches, and Casillas is still first choice despite the return of Illgner, who only played in the cup second leg. With many injuries to first team players, César, Corona and David Aganzo were called up for this week's matches, with Aganzo making his debut at half time in place of McManaman against Valencia.

13.02. Zárate scored two goals in two games this week (Mérida and Málaga), both times after coming on as substitute at half time, and both times giving his team a 1-0 victory. Meca and Casillas played the whole match against Mérida, and Dorado came on for the last 10 minutes. Conrado Zafra, a 22 year old who plays at inside left for the B team (does that position still exist?) was called up by Del Bosque to complete the squad for the Málaga game. Zafra has been on the books for eleven years, and will wear the number 37. Casillas kept his place in goal, even though Illgner was back in the squad. Meca was a non-playing substitute.

06.02. Meca came on as substitute against Deportivo, and has been named in the Champions League squad for the next games together with Casillas, Oliver and Dorado.

30.01. Casillas has kept his place in goal, with Oliver on the bench. Meca came on during the second half and made the goal for Morientes.

26.01. Zárate made his debut in the league, starting the match in place of Raúl, who was playing for Spain. Meca came on 13 minutes from time for the injured Savio.

23.01. With Illgner still injured and Bizzarri playing in the pre-Olympic tournament for Argentina, Casillas kept his place in goal against Numancia with Oliver on the bench alongside Dorado and Meca.

19.01. Casillas and Dorado were in the starting line up for the cup match against Zaragoza, with keeper Oliver, César, Meca and Zárate on the bench. Zárate made his debut in the second half.

11.01. Casillas played all three games in the club world championship. Young midfielder Manu was a last minute addition to the squad after Seedorf left for Inter Milan. Still has not made an appearance however. Zárate was eventually not included.

21.12. Casillas played in goal against Alavés.

18.12. Rolando David Zárate, Argentinian centre forward on loan to Real Madrid B from Vélez Sarsfield, may be a surprise inclusion in the squad for the world club championships in Brazil. Zárate has already scored 13 goals for his team this season and is being watched by several clubs.

12.12. Young defender César on bench in Champions League due to injuries.