Ones to watch in the Champions League: Ansu, Camavinga, Szoboszlai...
With the 2020/21 Champions League competition set to commence, we look at some of the younger talents set to make the headlines with many of Europe's biggest sides.
The 2020/21 UEFA Champions League group stage returns with the biggest clubs in Europe aiming for ultimate glory in the May 2021 final in Lisbon. With all eyes on the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar and Mbappe, we look at some of the younger talents we feel will explode on the European stage this season.
Dominik Szoboszlai (19, Salzburg, midfield, Hungary)
A solid left sided player who has not impressed at club level but also with the Hungarian national side. Possesses a ferocious strike and his manner of hitting the ball evokes that of Cristiano Ronaldo. The player bagged 12 goals and delivered 18 assists last season.
Dayot Upamecano (21, RB Leipzig, defence, France)
The RB Leipzig player is being heralded as one of the best future centre backs in Europe and is one of the emerging French stars to catch Zinedine Zidane's eye but recently renewed his contract with the Bundesliga side. Just this weekend, Upemecano has been linked with Liverpool as the ideal replacement for Virgil van Dijk who will be out of action long term after an ACL rupture.
Marcos Antonio (20, Shakhtar, midfield, Brazil)
The 20-year-old is not a strict midfield player but more of a No. 8 with the player holding an incredible ability to respond in both attacking and defensive responsibilities. Came to the attention of many European sides after an impressive series of performances at the 2019 CONMEBOL U-20 championships where he was snapped up by Shakhtar and named in the Best XI of the tournament.
Antony (20, Ajax, forward, Brazil)
After impressing with Brazilian Serie A's Sao Paulo, the striker secured a move to the Amsterdam based outfit and has availed of the injury to compatriot David Neres in securing playing time. The Brazilian is lethal in front of the target and destined for great things.
Fabio Viera (20, FC Porto, forward, Portugal)
Came to public attention after starring in the Porto side which claimed the UEFA Youth League in 2019 beating Chelsea in the final with Viera bagging the opening goal for the Portuguese side. Has managed to earn the confidence of first team coach Sergio Conceiçao and is slowly establishing himself with the Liga NOS champions and has all the hallmarks to be another Portuguese great.
Jude Bellingham (17, Dortmund, midfield, England)
After impressing with Championship side Birmingham City, the teenager was snapped up by Dortmund for a fee of 25 million euro. The midfielder is highly rated by BVB coach Favre and has appeared on four occasions for the Bundesliga side already this season delivering one assist. A player who loves to be on the ball and possesses an ability to dribble and take on defenders.
Ansu Fati (17, Barcelona, forward, Spain)
With all eyes on Barcelona striker Lionel Messi, the Argentine this season will appreciate having teenage talent Ansu Fati in his team as the Catalan side attempt to overcome the trauma of the 8-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich last season. Fati broke through last season in LaLiga and has already been capped by at full international level by Spain. The striker can play on the flank as well as a more central role and is a natural goal getter.
Vladyslav Supriaha (20, Dynamo Kyiv, forward, Ukraine)
Supriaha was the standout player in Ukraine's FIFA U-20 World Cup win and bagged 15 goals as part of his loan term with FC Dnipro last season. The 20-year-old is now back in the capital and a regular in the Dynamo starting XI and is at his best outside the area and with his back to goal.
Eduardo Camavinga (17, Rennes, midfield, France)
Camavinga is one of the hottest young properties in European football and on the wish-list of many top clubs with the player deciding to stay a further year with Rennes despite the strong summer overtures from Real Madrid. The teenager recently made his debut for 'Les Bleus' with coach Didier Deschnamps claiming that his performances for the national side made him 'un-droppable'. Dangerous with the ball at his feet and a possesses an incredible ability to glide past defenders.
Mason Greenwood (19, Man United, forward, England)
A highly skilled left footed player who spends most of his time on the right flank at Old Trafford, the teenager already has a market value of 50 million euro attached to his signature. Recently made his full international with England though an episode of indiscipline in Iceland may have blotted his copybook with national team manager Gareth Southgate.
