Villarreal coach Unai Emery has likened Takefusa Kubo to Real Sociedad veteran David Silva.
Kubo is on-loan at Villarreal from Real Madrid.
Emery said, "It is difficult to predict Kubo's potential, he has similar characteristics to what I saw in David Silva when I arrived at Valencia. He plays well between the lines, he drives with speed ... He needs to keep growing.
"With us he has the process of growing. I am happy with him.
"I want Kubo's growth the same as Fer Niño or Baena's. If he is not here to play for Real Madrid right now, it is because he needs development."