Europe’s Finest Young Players

With club soccer back, it’s a good time to review Europe’s finest young players. Including some you may have not seen much of.

“Young player” in the context of this article is defined as someone who is 23 years old or younger, at the time of writing.

Goalkeepers

Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia 🇬🇪)

Mamardashvili has played every minute for Valencia C.F. in La Liga this season. This is his second season as an undisputed starter, where he has kept 11 clean sheets in 32 games. Furthermore, he set a club record in February for most consecutive games played by a goalkeeper.

Anatoliy Trubin (Ukraine 🇺🇦)

Another Eastern European makes this list, as Trubin has played well for S.L. Benfica, producing 12 clean sheets in 16 league games. He has also been solid in Benfica’s Europa League campaign, keeping a clean sheet in their round of 16 second leg against Scottish side rangers, to help his side win 1-0 on the day, and 3-2 on aggregate en-route to the quarter-finals.

Lucas Chevalier (France 🇫🇷)

Chevalier leads these goalkeepers on clean sheets, as he has kept 14 in 28 Ligue 1 games for LOSC Lille. He, too, is playing in international competitions, as his side face Aston Villa in Europa Conference league on April 11th and 18th. He kept a clean sheet in the first leg of Lille’s round of 16 matchup with Austrian side SK Sturm Graz, helping his side win 4-1 on aggregate.

Defenders

William Saliba (France 🇫🇷)

Saliba has been part of a solid Arsenal back-line this season, which has only conceded 24 goals in 30 games, making them the number one defense in the Premier League. His defensive solidity and poise on the ball make him a crucial part of Arsenal’s success this season.

Joško Gvardiol (Croatia 🇭🇷)

Gvardiol arrived in the summer of 2023, from RB Leipzig, to play the left side center back role for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. In this role, he often pushes forward to facilitate City’s attack, and uses his elevated dribbling ability to attack tight defenses.

Alphonso Davies (Canada 🇨🇦)

Davies is not just a fast player, he is a stout defender, and a fantastic player in the final third. He has been playing regularly for Bayern for 4 years now, amassing over 180 appearances for the German giants in that time. Finally, this season, he has registered 3 assists for Bayern in the Bundesliga.

Midfielders

Jude Bellingham (England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿)

Bellingham has been stellar for Real Madrid this season, registering 30 goal contributions this season in 32 games. He plays as a number 10, in behind elite Brazilian forwards, Vinícius Júnior, and Rodrygo, forming an elite trident, looking to win La Liga and the Champions League this year.

Florian Wirtz (Germany 🇩🇪)

Wirtz also plays a 10, for Bayer Leverkusen, who are first in the Bundesliga, Finalists in the DFB-Pokal, and Quarter-Finalists in the Europa League. This season, Wirtz, has accumulated 13 goals and 18 assists in 38 games, making him one of the most prolific players in Europe.

Jamal Musiala (Germany 🇩🇪)

Musiala has registered 12 goals and 7 assists this season in 32 games for Bayern. He as an exceptional dribbler, and excels at attacking space in tight areas. He is also a regular for the German national team along with Wirtz, and looks to be an impactful player for his country in this summer’s Euros.

Forwards

Erling Haaland (Norway 🇳🇴)

Halaand has been one of Europe’s most prolific strikers since the 2020-21 season. This year has been no different, as he has scored 18 goals in 24 Premier League games for City this season. He has also scored six goals in seven Champions League appearances this year, as City look to defend their UCL title.

Vinícius Júnior (Brazil 🇧🇷)

Vinícius is probably the world’s most talented winger, and one of the most prolific, with 18 goals and eight assists this season in 28 games for Real Madrid. His pace, and skill make him a nightmare for full-backs, and his improved finishing ability has turned him into a problem for opposing goalkeepers as well.

Bukayo Saka (England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿)

Last but certainly not least, there is Arsenal’s golden boy, who has put up exceptional numbers this year, with 16 goals and 13 assists in 38 games. His direct style of play suits the Gunner’s, as they compete for both the Premier League and UCL Crown. Should Arsenal win either of these competitions, if not both, Saka would certainly have a claim to the crown of “world best winger”.

Thank you for tuning to our coverage of Europe’s finest young players.

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