5️⃣ young players who have taken European football by storm | OneFootball

Football is often described as an experienced players’ game but youth is here to buck that trend.

Here are five young players who have taken football by storm this season …

Bukayo Saka

Age: 21

Club: Arsenal

Not many people expected Arsenal to be challenging for the title this season, and while their efforts have been a collective one – Bukayo Saka undoubtedly shines through.

The 21-year-old is already one of the best forwards in Europe, directly contributing to 17 goals this season (9G, 8A) and has proven his ability to be decisive when needed.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Age: 22

Club: Napoli

Napoli are no strangers to iconic players – from Diego Maradona to Marek Hamšik to Gonzalo Higuaín – although silverware has not been as easy to come by.

However, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia or ‘Kvaradona’ looks set to guide them to Serie A glory with brilliant technique, dribbling and 19 goal contributions (10G, 9A) in 19 appearances.

Jude Bellingham

Age: 19

Club: Borussia Dortmund

Sorry, Jamal Musiala. We love you but Jude Bellingham has been a force of nature for Borussia Dortmund this season and has singlehandedly ignited their title charge.

He is one of the most complete midfielders in Europe with technical quality, leadership and athletic capacity, with added goal threat – four goals, four assists in the Bundesliga.

Pedri

Age: 20

Club: Barcelona

Barcelona find themselves seven points clear at the top of LaLiga and while it’s obviously a group effort; Pedri continues to amaze us on a weekly basis.

The 20-year-old is the heartbeat of this Barça side, with great vision, technique and in-game intelligence that belies his age – not to mention his six goals in 21 appearances.

Folarin Balogun

Age: 21

Club: Reims (on loan from Arsenal)

It’s clear that Folarin Balogun is highly rated at Arsenal but after a mixed loan at Middlesbrough last season, he needed another chance to impress away from London Colney.

And impress he has. The striker is currently the joint highest scorer in Ligue 1 (15 goals) – level with Jonathan David and Kylian Mbappé – scoring 50% of Reims’ top flight goals.