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With the Euros so close to kicking off, I thought I would take a look at some of the up and coming wonderkids that could help their sides provide some shocks over the course of the next few weeks or further cement their chances of success in this tournament.
For years now the international stage has seen young, sometimes relatively unknown talents further prove themselves on the big stage, and whilst some of the names on this list aren’t unknown their recognition is still small to what it potentially could be at the end of the tournament.
The World Cup in 2018 saw the likes of Hirving Lozano, Aleksandr Golovin and Ante Rebic just to name a few who excelled on the biggest stage of international football. With the new wave of wonderkid’s filtering through from academies to their respective national side set-ups, this summer has the potential to shine even more and establish themselves as respected internationals.
First though, what is a wonderkid? Wonderkid is the English variation of the German word Wunderkind, meaning a child prodigy. In football terms, often a young talent who has the potential to become world-class. With the potential to be spoken of in high regards such as Mbappe or Haaland or to be known as one of the flops such as Bojan or Freddie Adu. The sky is the limit for the youngsters, and this is their chance to prove it.
Eljif Elmas – North Macedonia
21 – Attacking Midfielder – Napoli
Elmas joined Napoli in 2019 after just one season at Turkish side Fenerbahce SK. At a fee of £16 million, it highlighted Napoli’s intentions of building for the future, and this was further backed up with the acquisition of Lozano.
Elmas has seen most of his stints this season as a substitute with only three starts to his name and 30 appearances off the bench. Whilst most commonly being deployed as an attacking midfielder when he has played, the Macedonian has seen stints as a central midfielder and on the wings this season.
For Macedonia though, the youngster has shined and was a pivotal part of their qualifying squad in 2019 at just the age of 19. In 11 games Elmas scored four and assisted once from centre midfield and also as a left-winger.
In the national side’s most recent fixtures against Slovenia and Kazakhstan, Elmas has featured in both and shone in his favoured position, opening the scoring against Slovenia with an assist from Ezgjan Alioski.
Rumours are currently swirling that the pair may combine further with Marcelo Bielsa reportedly extremely interested in the youngster with some even describing Elmas as the perfect player for his system. With Polish international Klich ageing too, Bielsa could find his dream replacement in the tournament. But El Loco will likely face competition from other clubs with Benfica and Borussia Dortmund showing interest.
Whilst the Lions’ chances of leaving the group are slim, the chances of Elmas leaving Naples will be very high if he continues to shine on the national stage.
“I think Napoli have a jewel. A young footballer, a leader of his national team who often scores goals. A player like him is worth €30-40m.”
Elmas’ agent
Alexander Isak – Sweden
21 – Striker – Real Sociedad
The second player on this list is a player that has been dubbed as ‘the next Ibrahimović’ and it is clear to see why, the Swede is a deadly goal scorer at the age of just 21, sound familiar? A presence in the box at 6”3, once again sounds familiar, so it is clear to see why people are making the links between the two.
Isak started his career at AIK and rose through the ranks scoring 13 goals in 29 appearances in his debut season in the senior team, earning a move to Borussia Dortmund in January of 2017.
Upon arrival in Dortmund, the striker failed to break into the first team and spent the majority of his two years at the club on the bench or in the youth/reserve squads. Scoring just one goal for the first team, in a DFB Pokal match against Magdeburg who sat in the third tier of German football.
This led to a loan move to Willem Tilburg in the winter window of the 2018/2019 season, where it is fair to say Isak set the league alight, 18 games, 14 goals and seven assists, at the age of just 19.
The following summer, Isak would move to where he currently plays, Real Sociedad. Isak has gone from strength to strength at the Spanish club and has excelled in San Sebastián. His first season in Spain consisted mostly of substitute appearances whilst still scoring nine times, but this season the Swede has started 30 times and scored 17, firing Sociedad to a fifth-place finish.
With interest from Arsenal too in a deal that could rise to £60 million, Sociedad will certainly have a task on their hands keeping the youngster. However, with Dortmund’s buy-back clause becoming active this summer at just £28.5 million and the ever-growing rumours surrounding Erling Haaland, Isak could be heading back to Borussia.
Yet Isak’s scoring isn’t limited to the domestic competitions, internationally he has scored five goals in 22 appearances, half have been from the bench. In qualifying for the tournament, he scored three in 10 appearances,7 of these from the bench, just showing what an impact he made two years ago.
With the news of Ibrahimović’s absence from the tournament through injury, it is expected that Isak will be the man to lead Janne Andersson’s side this tournament, giving the chance to the youngster to fully establish himself as the future of Swedish international football after Zlatan.
“Isak has enormous potential. If everything goes well, he could become Sweden’s new Zlatan Ibrahimović.”
Chinedu Obasi (AIK) in 2016 after Isak’s brace against rivals Djurgarden.
Federico Chiesa – Italy
23 – Winger – Juventus
Chiesa’s career started in 2007 at Fiorentina, originally joining their youth side before making his way into the under-19s in 2014 at the age of just 16, whilst having seven appearances the Italian failed to score more than once.
However, the following season saw the winger’s breakthrough, 23 appearances and seven goals, prompting Fiorentina to offer him a contract. The following season saw his debut in a 2-1 defeat to Juventus in September, but it would take until December for his first senior goal to come, a 2-1 win over Qarabag.
In October 2020 Chiesa was unveiled as the latest acquisition of the Old Ladies, a two-year loan contract costing €10 million over the course of the spell. The past two seasons have seen Chiesa rise to one of the most exciting players in Serie A.
Attaining 18 contributions this season from 33 games, just shows how much of a threat the 23-year-old is and can be if utilised in the right system. At Fiorentina Chiesa was utilised commonly as a centre-forward or as a left-winger which has been his favoured position and with his ability to go to the by-line and cross or cut inside and score it is clear to see why.
However, with the national team, it is likely that the winger will play out on the right, whilst this isn’t a feat that the youngster will struggle with, with his already well-known versatility but added to the fact that he has had stints in this position already.
The Italians are somewhat dark horses under Mancini in this tournament with them not being among the list of top three favourites for the tournament with these spots going to Belgium, England and France most frequently.
With Chiesa likely to be alongside Lorenzo Insigne and Ciro Immobile, the Azzuri will have a host of experience and goals amongst the three, and with Chiesa’s involvement, the Italians could pose a serious threat with the additional hunger for success after their calamitous 2018 tournament.
Pedri – Spain
18 – Attacking Midfielder – Barcelona
The Spanish domestic top-flight of football was the home to one of the best title races in Europe this season and whilst the future of Spanish domestic football could be changing with the reported financial issues facing the El Classico clubs, the current spring of youth coming through the national side would make any Spaniard jubilant.
In recent years the Spanish have often excelled on national stages, with their peak in the late 2000s/early 2010’s however the likes of Iniesta, Torres, Puyol have been failed to be replaced to a point now where the side has failed to make any statements on the international stage.
However, with a new breed of talent coming through from La Masia (Barcelona) and other Spanish academies, La Furia Roja may soon see a resurgence on the national stage.
There are so many names that could have been picked here when speaking about the talented youth breaking through into their club and country’s sides, such as Ansu Fati, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres, however, Pedri is the one that could set the tournament alight.
Pedri rose through the ranks of the aforementioned La Masia, which has seen Spanish legendary midfielders, Xavi and Iniesta also follow the same route. The former of which has Pedri been compared to.
Pedri is a talented midfielder with raw talent, technically aware, incredible vision for a pass and an engine expected of someone above his years. Following loan spells at Las Palmas Pedri got his chance to prove himself under Ronald Koeman this season. Starting 28 games this season, the young midfielder often played as an attacking midfielder or deeper in a central midfielder role contributing three goals and as many assists.
With the Coronavirus outbreak within the Spanish camp this week which has seen Pedri’s team-mate Sergio Busquets testing positive, it is possible that Pedri may be given the chance to start and with his experience in a first-team scenario, it is entirely possible Pedri is the latest La Masia graduate to be part of the Spanish midfield.
Nuno Mendes – Portugal
18 – Left-Back – Sporting CP
Where to start with Nuno Mendes, is a difficult one. When thinking of world-class full-back there is really only Alphonso Davies who springs to mind at such a young age and dare I say, Nuno Mendes could be at that level very soon with correct guidance.
At just 18 years old, Mendes is one of the hottest properties in the market currently with Manchester City, Chelsea and Barcelona all currently watching the 18-year-old. It is clear to see why though and when he was confirmed into the Portuguese national team it came as no shock to anyone.
Often being deployed as a wing-back in Sporting’s system this season, he will be up against Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro for the spot at left-back in Fernando Santos’ squad. It is difficult to see how Mendes won’t take this spot though.
For those who haven’t seen much of Mendes, he is without doubt one of the most exciting young players in football currently, providing energy and stamina down the left flank he was a vital part of the success at the domestic level, however, that isn’t where it stops. Defensively Mendes is brilliant, positionally he excels keeping 10 clean sheets this season. Whilst also being a real threat going forward, creating 1.16 chances per 90. This just shows what ability the 18-year-old has and with the backing of the Portuguese manager this summer, he can only get better.
Alessandro Bastoni – Italy
22 – Central Defender – Inter Milan
The Azzuri throughout history are well known for their resolute defensive structure and with the introduction of Roberto Mancini, this is only strengthened. With Baresi, Maldini, Nesta and Cannavaro being some of the greats that have led the defensive lines in the history of the side before being replaced by Chiellini and Bonucci, the next wave of Italian centre-halves is upon us.
The most exciting of which is Alessandro Bastoni. Bastoni rose through the ranks at Bergamo, the Atalanta academy, before making his way into the first team, where he played just three times.
At the end of that season, Inter Milan snapped up the youngster, clearly seeing the potential that the defender has and paid the premium €31 million price tag that came with him, however, was loaned out to Atalanta for two seasons before being recalled and sent to Parma.
On his return to the Nerazzurri in 2019 with a new manager, Antonio Conte, Bastoni started to be given his chance to prove himself. The rest, as they say, is history. This season the title returned to the black and blue side of Milan for the first time in 10 years. With Bastoni at the heart of the defence.
Starting 33 of Inter’s 38 games, Bastoni was part of the side that conceded just 35 goals all season and kept 14 clean sheets. A championship-winning worthy defence and with Bastoni only to get better Inter could potentially regain dominance over Serie A.
Internationally Bastoni is just as good, having played for Italy at every level. However, only recently gained his first call up to the senior national side, with two Nations League matches against Bosnia & Herzegovina and the Netherlands in September. He got his first start just two months later showing the trust that Mancini has in the defender.
With experienced internationals, such as Acerbi, Bonucci and Chiellini also in the side, Bastoni potentially may not be favoured but if given the chance, Bastoni will prove just how vital he is to the future of the Italian national side and could one emulate the greats before him.
Ryan Gravenberch – Netherlands
19 – Central Midfielder – AFC Ajax
The Dutch have a host of young talent rising through their squad, and the sky really is the limit for this wave of stars in the making that are already playing at a high level at such young ages.
There are a plethora of names that could have been chosen here, Donyell Malen, Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt just to name a few that have risen through the ranks of the Eredivisie.
Gravenberch is the one that will be vital for the Dutch this tournament with Donny Van de Beek missing the tournament, the Dutch midfield is already incredible but the Ajax man could provide that extra something that the side have missed in recent years.
In 2018 Gravenberch received the “Abdelhak Nouri Trofee” for players deemed the most talented in the Ajax academy which has seen some of the best Dutch players through its doors over the years.
The midfield this Euro’s will likely consist of de Jong, Gini Wijnaldum and Gravenberch. De Jong will likely lead the midfield going forward with Wijnaldum acting as a box to box, which allows Gravenberch to act as a mezzala, however, it wouldn’t be unlikely if he plays deeper as a defensive midfielder.
Gravenberch’s build makes him perfect for a midfielder, with his stature meaning that aerially he is effective, whilst still being nimble enough to pose threats to defences when dribbling.
At just 19 Gravenberch has established himself as a starter for Ajax and with links to the teams or former teams of his likely midfield partners in Barcelona and Liverpool respectively, Gravenberch is close to being considered an elite midfielder if he is not already there.
Kacper Kozlowski – Poland
17 – Central Midfielder – Pogoń Szczecin
Kacper Kozlowski’s story could have been shaped very different and might not have featured on this list had things gone worse. In January of last year, the 16-year-old at the time was involved in a serious car crash alongside two teammates. It was thought at the time that these injuries that he suffered would be the end of the midfielder’s career, with a broken pelvis and three broken vertebrae.
However, 15 months on from the accident, Kozlowski is being reportedly scouted by a host of clubs including the likes of Manchester United, with the teenager’s style of play being likened to that of Paul Pogba.
Kacper is one of the best players in the Polish league, with his talent being clear from early on. In the past during training, he would often have one teammate and face six others to have an even game.
He is also likely to be the youngest player to ever play at the Euros at just 17 years old, with the record currently being held by Jetro Willems, who made his Euro debut at just 18 years and 71 days.
With Lewandowski ever ageing, Polish fans will be delighted to have their next superstar coming through the ranks and with Kacper already overcoming a lot in his short playing career already, he could go right to the very top.
Jeremy Doku – Belgium
19 – Winger – Stade Rennais
Doku, the dribbling king as he has been called in recent times, is without doubt, the heir to Eden Hazard in the Belgian national team. Doku, 19, is the latest talent to come through the Anderlecht academy, with him making his debut in 2018.
Just two years later and Rennes purchased the young winger, for a reported fee of around €26 million. Whilst this season he hasn’t set the world on fire, it is vital to remember that the talent is still a teenager and still adapting to a new league, one much more physical than the Belgian Pro League.
His biggest and most notable strength is his electrifying dribbling ability. With a reported top speed of 35 km/h, the winger easily gets past defenders, but additionally, his footwork makes him a nightmare to those that face him on the wing.
Doku averages 5.77 successful dribbles per game compared to the average 2.93 for his role as a left-winger and completes 64% of them. These statistics put him just behind Jadon Sancho in Soccerment.com’s dribbling performance index.
With Champions League experience and already capped at the international level, it is clear to see that the Red Devils see the potential within him, and with Eden Hazard still not being back to the player we remember for Chelsea, we could potentially see Doku play a role in this upcoming tournament.
Becir Omeragic – Switzerland
19 – Central Defender – FC Zürich
This summer will be a massive one for Omeragic, with the likelihood that the Swiss centre half will establish himself as a starter in Vladimir Petkovic’s side within his back three, but also will give the defender a chance to play against some of the best in European football.
The Swiss are in a group that contains talents such as Federico Chiesa, Gareth Bale, Burak Yilmaz and Lorenzo Insigne just to name a few. Meaning that Becir will have his work cut out for him if he is to help his team progress out of a tough group.
However, Omeragic I feel will be able to cope with these players. Already a senior capped international at just 19-years-old he is the perfect example of the modern centre-half. On the ball, he is calm and composed meaning that he fits into a system that plays out from the back, whilst also having an incredible range of passing too, opening up many options when on the ball.
In addition to this, defensively Omeragic is extremely solid often playing as a right central defender or as a right-back, showing the versatility that is needed to succeed as a modern-day defender. With an average of 1.7 tackles per game and 1.3 interceptions per game, it just shows how defensively aware the youngster is, with this further being backed up with his 7 clean sheets this season.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see a back three consisting of Manuel Akanji and Elvedi alongside the youngster with a move to the Bundesliga probable following in the footsteps of his fellow countrymen, however, I personally believe a move to England could be on the cards. Spurs are crying out for a young defender like Omeragic that is calm on the ball, and this could be the time to see how good he really is.
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