Top 10 youngsters in European football right now

These starlets are being considered as the future of the game in the coming decade.

European football consistently produces some astounding young players. Many of these players have to wait for long before attaining regular playing time at prominent clubs. Others manage to cement their spot in the teams and display their potential at the highest possible level. The last few years has put light on some fascinating upcoming footballers. Here, we talk about the top 10 youngsters currently playing in European football.  

10. Benoît Badiashile

Benoit Badiashile is a robust defender for AS Monaco. He is a fine passer of the ball and interprets the game properly. An aerially dominant defender, Badiashile is a reliable at the back and can always pose a threat for goal from set-pieces. One of the top youngsters in Europe, the 19-year-old was linked to several top clubs in the summer of 2020. However, it seems that Badiashile will persist in France for the time being.

9. Filip Stevanović

Filip Stevanović is a Serbian international winger. The 17-year-old plays for Fudbalski klub Partiza in his native country. Stevanović graduated to the first-team of Partiza after spending his youth career at the same club. He netted eight goals in 25 matches in the SuperLiga in 2019-20. These are commendable statistics for such a young player. It also highlights his solid efficiency in front of the goal too.  

8. Rayan Cherki

Rayan Cherki is a 17-year-old forward who plays for Lyon in Ligue 1. In the 2019-20 season, Cherki became the youngest player to the feature in the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League. He had taken on the field as a substitute in the game against Bayern Munich. Cherki has played for the junior teams of the French national side. He even scored four goals in UEFA Youth League 2019-20. Currently, he is being inducted into the team to turn up regularly in the Ligue 1.

7. Bukayo Saka

Already being regarded as one of the top youngsters in European football at the moment, Bukayo Sako is touted to take up a prominent role for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta’s tutelage. The teenager is skillful and has an eye for a decisive pass. He might need to work on the defensive part of his gameplay. Saka can be a proficient winger if he manages to develop his crossing abilities too. He arguably needs to be tried at different positions to get a clearer picture of his future role for the Gunners.

6. Eduardo Camavinga

Eduardo Camavinga has risen up the ranks for French outfit Rennes FC. He is a central midfielder and an astute passer of the ball. The 17-year-old has become a vital cog for the team at the centre of the park. He has a widespread vision and is adept at controlling the pace of the game. Camavinga can also bag a goal occasionally and looks set to attain greater heights in the future.

5. Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham is an English midfielder and has represented the junior teams of the Three Lions several times. Bellingham started off his career at Birmingham City, where he became a regular member of the team in the starting XI and attracted interest from major European clubs. Aged merely 17, he signed for Borussia Dortmund in 2020. Bellingham also became the youngest player ever to feature for the German club in any competitive match in September. He even assisted fellow teammate Giovanni Reyna in his debut Bundesliga appearance against Borussia Monchengladbach.

4. Giovanni Reyna

Giovanni Reyna is one of the remarkable recent talents to emerge from the USA. He is associated with Borussia Dortmund currently. The club is renowned for proficiently nurturing young talents and Reyna certainly is one of them. He is a swift attacking midfielder and possesses bundles of talent at only 17 years of age. The former New York City FC player operates near the 18-yard box. He can engage in combinational play and also shoots firmly to regularly test the opposition’s goalkeeper. Reyna made a 15 startling appearances in the Bundesliga in the 2019-20 season.

3. Takefusa Kubo

Takefusa Kubo is a Real Madrid player, currently on loan to Villareal CF. The winger was lent to RCD Mallorca in the 2019-20 season to attain more playing time. Kubo scored and assisted four goals in 35 appearances in the LaLiga. The Japan international can play behind the striker and his footwork is commendable. He displays laudable tenacity in winning back the ball and takes a testing shot from outside the box. Kubo is arguably one of the best well-rounded emerging attacking midfielders in European football.

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2. Mason Greenwood

Mason Greenwood has developed immensely under the stewardship of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer. The 18-year-old notched 10 goals and a solitary assist in 31 Premier League matches in the 2019-20 campaign. Greenwood’s finishing skills coupled with a gifted left-foot make him a proficient winger from the right flank. He is adept at taking on defenders and makes lively runs from the wider positions. Greenwood earned a national team call-up recently as well. By all means, he looks capable of becoming one of the best forwards in Europe in the coming decade.

1. Ansu Fati

FC Barcelona’s prodigy Ansu Fati has surely made heads turn in recent times. One of the top youngsters in Europe at the moment, the winger bagged seven goals and assisted one other in 24 LaLiga encounters in the 2019-20 season. Fati plays as a left-winger and maintains a composed demeanor in the final third. Fati’s nimble dribbling skills and sharp passing abilities are somewhat unmatched amongst his peers. He is yet to turn 18 and regularly features in Barcelona’s first-team. Consistent performances can probably unravel the brilliant potential that he possesses.

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