10 Talents — 2
This is part two of a new series I’m doing looking at ten young players I like briefly, mainly from European leagues I’m keeping an eye on. You can read part 1 here.
11 Victor Osimhen (20)
1998 Nigerian striker
Lille OSC
Physical attacker with excellent movement and goalscoring instinct. Great at getting in behind as well as holding up play and bringing in others.
In Belgian league last season: 0.66 xG+A, 3.9 shots and 4.6 touches in the box
12 Anthony Caci (22)
1997 French left back
RC Strasbourg
Versatile, two-footed player with good progressive passing and first touch. Solid at both ends of the pitch with tidy defending too with great reading of the game and a good engine.
0.11 xA, 47.8 passes, 3.3 passes into the box and wins 57% of defensive duels
13 Salvatore Esposito (18)
2000 Italian defensive midfielder
SPAL (on loan at Chievo)
Extremely composed, press resistant holding midfielder with a decent range of passing. Lacks physicality but I expect him to break out a bit with Chievo this year. Impressed at the U20 World Cup.
In Serie C last season: 43.4 passes, 1.4 shots, 8 passes into the final third and 4.1 interceptions
14 Donyell Malen (20)
1999 Dutch winger/striker
PSV Eindhoven
Quick attacker with great goalscoring last season. Expecting a big breakout season where he becomes a household name. Really exciting goalscoring winger with good movement, dribbling and high shot volume
0.88 xG+A, 3.3 shots, 7.1 attempted dribbles, 3.8 crosses and 6.1 touches in the box
15 Jeff Reine-Adelaide (21)
1998 French right winger/central midfielder
Angers SCO
Has been a success at Angers since transitioning into a central midfielder after being a technical winger with little end product. Great acceleration and dribbling which allows him to progress the ball well. Close to a big €30m move to Lyon a year after joining Angers from Arsenal for ~€1.6m.
While playing in midfield: 49.9 passes at 89% accuracy, 6.2 attempted dribbles at 66% and 0.22 xG+A
16 Alexis Saelemakers (20)
1999 Belgian right wing back
RSC Anderlecht
Brilliant athletic ability. Versatile and two footed. Direct, fast runner in possession who looks for good link up play on the wing. Could improve defensively but is solid overall.
10.72 progressive passes, 0.21 xA, 51.1 passes and 4.8 crosses
17 Kristoffer Ajer (21)
1998 Norwegian centre back
Celtic
Imposing centre half at 6'5". Good passing though and brings great physicality which he uses well to defend. Surprised someone hasn’t picked him up yet.
71% defensive duels wins, 75% wins in the air, 73.3 passes at 93.6% accuracy and 8.1 progressive passes.
18 Lisandro Martinez (21)
1998 Argentinian centre back
Ajax
Quite small for a centre half, but is great with the ball at his feet. Great progressive passing numbers, a modern, elegant centre half. Expect him to be worth a lot in a year or two.
57.6 passes, 3.4 attempted dribbles, 53% aerial win rate, 10.9 passes into the final third and 12.7 progressive passes
19 Yeferson Soteldo (22)
1997 Venezuelan left winger
Santos FC
Brilliant dribbler with great speed and acceleration. Low centre of gravity at on 5'3" but is stocky. Dangerous player and difficult to defend against
8.4 attempted dribbles, 0.52 xG+A, 5.3 touches in the box, 4.3 progressive runs and 2.8 passes into the box
20 Mahdi Camara (21)
1998 French central midfielder
Saint Étienne
Tidy midfielder looking to break into the first team this season after being out on loan last season. Press resistant and calm in possession.
2.4 attempted dribbles, 5.4 interceptions, wins 61% of defensive duels and 4 passes into the final 3rd at a high 91% accuracy
