Welcome to ESPN FC’s hot list, which highlights some of the best talent 23 and under from across Europe’s top leagues each month.
In general, young but established stars like City of Manchester‘S Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund‘S Jude Bellingham or Barcelona‘S Gavi are not included – otherwise they would be on the monthly list – but we do shine a spotlight on a few who deserve credit for their performances and who could potentially become the next big name of European football.
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Key stats for October (via ESPN Stats & Info)
Opportunity is created: 12 (1 for Napoli)
Expected Support: 1.34 (first place)
Photograph: 10 (2nd place)
Kvaratskhelia has emerged from the relative obscurity of Eastern European football (even though we advised him to be successful this season) to take center stage in the Champions League within a few months. Forced departure from Russia’s Rubin Kazan faction after the country’s invasion Ukrainehe returned to his native Georgia to sign for Dinamo Batumi in March and in July was scouted by Napoli for around 12 million euros.
With seven goals and eight assists in 15 Serie A and Champions League appearances this season, the striker’s immediate impact is nothing short of sensational. Usually positioned high on the left flank, Kvaratskhelia has captured the attention of the entire continent with his high-speed dribbling and ability to set up (and finish) triangles and synergies. to shots towards goal or a spike. opportunity.
His dribbling skills have earned him the nickname “Kvaradona” (by no means a feat to be compared to the legendary Diego Maradona as the stadium you play in is named after him) and are featured in the game. performed against Roma on Sunday when he scored 18 dribbles; half of them succeed. This month, he has racked up three goals and five assists in all competitions as Napoli top Serie A.
In addition to his dribbling skills (averaging almost 7 touches in the opposition box per game, which speaks volumes about the progressive nature of his game), Kvaratskhelia also possesses a right foot. with acumen in his efforts to hit the far corner. when he cut in from the left. Perhaps the biggest compliment of them all: Napoli’s notoriously demanding head coach, Luciano Spalletti, also started leaning on the Georgia international during the 90 minutes.
Key stats for October (in UCL only)
Ratio of goals to number of goals: 66% (first for Shakhtar)
Opportunity is created: 3 (2nd place)
Expected goal: 0.48 (2nd place)
The Ukraine international is building a reputation as one of the top prospects outside of traditional major European leagues. This month, he had two respectable performances in the Champions League first Real Madridscored three goals in a match against Metalist and scored a goal and assist against Shakhtar Donetsk’s main rivals, Dynamo Kiev, in another league win (3-1.) However, the man froze on the cake was a fantastic individual goal – a neat header into the top corner from outside the box – in the Champions League game Celtic in Glasgow.
The creative, technically gifted Mudryk shares some of the qualities of the aforementioned Kvaratskhelia and, as a right-footed winger, he also thrives when cutting diagonally on his right foot, while His shooting technique (64% of his efforts this season has been on target) is similar to that of Georgia.
While Kvaratskhelia often relies on one-two and combination for the scoreboard (and sturdier defence), Mudryk isn’t afraid to go it alone and can produce an immediate goal or defensive assist of his own. surprise creation.
Key stats for October
Passed in third place overall: 46 (first place for Groningen)
Expected goal: 1.54 (first place)
Photograph: 7 (1 =)
Whether thrown into the Bundesliga too soon or feeling the weight of a €16.36 million transfer fee (the highest for a homegrown player in Professional Football League history), the former FC Dallas Striker Pepi is still looking to make his mark for new club Augsburg, having made 15 league appearances, when he joined Dutch side Groningen on loan at the end of the summer transfer window.
Like many other young strikers who lacked confidence before him, the Dutch Eredivisie proved to be a good arena for the USMNT star to find his form before the World Cup. Usually not liking the pace in the Bundesliga, the 19-year-old is now more alert and assertive; His aggressive pressing led to a brilliant solo goal in a 4-2 win over leaders PSV at the weekend.
In addition to the goals – five so far in the league; four of those were scored in October – the space offered in the Dutch league saw Pepi’s linked play improve as well.
Key stats for October
The recuperation: 26 (2nd place = for Benfica)
Shadow painting: 8 (1)
Interceptor: 7 (2nd place =)
In the space of a few months, Luis has gone from being a fringe player to being an important part of Benfica. After making his breakthrough in 2019, the Portugal Under-21 international spent two years on loan at Monaco and Getafe. But now, under newly appointed German head coach Roger Schmidt, the 23-year-old has enjoyed ample playing time and is believed to be a key player in two central midfielders. of Benfica, who are unbeaten so far this season.
Although a certain lack of fitness in duels is often applied to the young player, there are few who match his radius of action or have a better sense of position to steal the ball. . In a 1-0 away win at FC Porto Last Friday, the industrious midfielder entered an impressive challenge in midfield with 26 (60% success rate) and no less than nine ball recoveries, thereby enjoying one of those displays. performance where he seemed to sweep the ball everywhere, before intelligently rotating it.
Although recent reports link him to LiverpoolLuis recently committed to a new five-year contract with Benfica.
Key stats for October
Shadow painting: 8 (2nd = for Barcelona)
Duel: 46 (Saturday)
Moving: 435 (4th place)
As Barcelona continue to weigh in on a long-term successor to Jordi Alba at left-back – cho Marcos Alonso also in his 30s – Balde firmly affirms the place with a guaranteed performance in a 4-0 home win over Sport Club on Sunday. The La Masia graduate has registered his best start to date for the first team and although there will be plenty of ups and downs ahead for the young defender, he has shown some remarkable signs. encouragement of improvement in areas of the game that are still developing.
While no one can doubt Balde’s physical strength, speed, energy or willingness to support the attack, in defense he is less imposing and can still sometimes be Show your innocence. However, the left-back has never been particularly troubled by the potential threat presented by form Nico Williams‘present on the right side of the Athletic attack.
Furthermore, Balde consistently wins the ball in high positions, excels in one-on-one attack and, increasingly secure in possession, is becoming a more reliable option on the left flank as Barcelona play attacking from behind.
Key stats for October
Opportunity is created: 11 (first place for Frankfurt)
Expected goal: 2.72 (2nd place)
Pass key: 11 (1)
After a good first season in the Bundesliga, Denmark internationals have been in mesmerizing form for Eintracht Frankfurt in this campaign. Not only has Lindstrom turned inspiring lights into a consistency involving a real difference-maker, but he has also been credited as one of the standout attacking midfielders in the Bundesliga over the past month with four goals and one assist.
His brace against Borussia Monchengladbach at the weekend paints a precise illustration of how and where he poses the greatest danger; Lindstrom is usually positioned on the right behind the main striker, Lindstrom thrives in that space and can enter the box with close control and persistent dribbling. Against Bayer Leverkusen a week before that, he had made a similar move – Frankfurt won the ball early and fed him in the same area – with a delicate right-foot chip.
