The year of 2023 has come and gone and what a year it was for talent announcing themselves to the world of football! Whether it was 16 year old sensation Lamine Yamal putting the rest of Spain on notice as he sored his way into not only into the Barcelona senior team, but the Spanish national team as well. Or Cole Palmer landing his £40 million pound move to join Maurico Pochettino in Chelsea and their new project who in the process has also earned himself his first senior cap for the three lions. Notably as well in 2023, Serie A title winners SSC Napoli gave us two unfamiliar faces that reached unbelievable heights alongside fellow balon d'or nominee and teammate Victor Osimhen, in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kim Min-Jae. The latter of the two names getting to 27 years old has now finally put himself alongside the best centre backs in the world and earned himself to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. Staying in Germany, after what potentially was a career ending injury For Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz, the midfielder carried on his form pre-injury and is performing at the highest of heights as his side are hunting down a first Bundesliga title in the club's history.
2024 is expected to be no different, the stages never get bigger for players wanting to advertise themselves on the world stage with international tournaments all over the globe happening this year.
Oscar Gloukh - Red Bull Salzburg & Israel
Attacking midfielder, Oscar Gloukh aged 19 has been on the radar of European's elite since he starred in Israel's run to the final in the Under 19's European Championships in 2022. Of the back of the tournament, in which he scored in the final Oscar became in demand from European Giants' Barcelona. However the midfielder decided to stay playing for local club Maccabi Tel-Aviv and then bit the bullet in January of 2023, jumping ship to Austrian Champions' Red Bull Salzburg.
When making his move to Red Bull Salzburg, Gloukh openly stated his decision to not move to Barcelona when the interest was there was down to "aiding my personal development".
Enjoying a successful start to his life in Salzburg, the young midfielder has attracted interest from Europe's elite like Manchester United and Liverpool, and also the premier leagues surprise package of the season, Aston Villa. In the 23/24 champions league season, Oscar recorded two goals and registered one assist through the group stages, a highlight being the impressive equalizer he scored in the San Siro against 2023's Champions League runners up, Inter Milan.
Whilst domestically, he has registered in 4 goals and 3 assists in only 871 minutes, registering a contribution every 124 minutes. Proving he is performing at such a high standard every time he steps on the pitch, his goal tally is almost double to his expected goals (xG.) of 2.11.
As will be the case for many years to come, any youngster who moves to the Austrian champions will get immediate comparisons to making the move of Norwegian Superstar Erling Haaland. Current Red Bull Salzburg manager Gerhard Struber spoke on this being quoted,
"Salzburg can be a trampoline for many big talents. You have the chance to play at a good level and at the same time in the Champions League,"
While Oscar Gloukh may not be able to reach the heights Erling Haaland has and will only get to, a future balon d'or winner as an example, he will be a mainstay in Europe and in the champions league, a very bright future ahead is a certain for him.
Victor Boniface - Bayer Leverkusen & Nigeria
It is to be argued that 2023 was already a breakout year for Victor Boniface having frequently found the back of the net for both Union Saint-Gilloise and Bayer Leverkusen. However long term watchers and admirers of the forward can confidently agree this is just only the beginning.
As early stated Boniface lead the line for Belgian minnows Union Saint-Gilloise in the 22/23 season, in their meteoric rise from only a few years ago, in which they got promoted in to the top flight of Belgium to now having featured in a European quarter final. A positive 22/23 season for Boniface featuring six goals and popping up with the one assist in the Europa league earned him a £17 million pound move to Bayer Leverkusen. From this point onwards, the name Victor Boniface has continued to prop up around Europe as he's smashed in 16 goals and 8 assists in just 23 games as Bayer Leverkusen have endured an unbeaten start to the Bundesliga this season.
The Nigerian forward is holding his own amongst the Bundesliga's best players this season, With Fotmob having the striker ranked 6th in average match ratings this season. A summary of the strikers game feature his ability to play in counter attacking set-ups with his frightening pace. Teams who play their game around squeezing the opposition with a high line leave them self vulnerable, and with a striker who ranks 5th in the Bundesliga for shots per 90, Boniface will ensure he gets enough opportunities to score.
Unfortunately Victor Boniface is sustaining extended time off the pitch after suffering a groin injury at the turn of the year, putting him out of action till April.
Depending on the success Bayer Leverkusen have while their striker is out injured, Boniface can still have a huge impact on their season, with a league title on their sights and being touted as one of the favourites to find glory in the UEFA Europa League.
It is almost a certainty Victor Boniface will end up being the striker on everyone's radar this summer, already having fees of £60 million pound being labelled on the Striker.
Arthur Vermeeren - Royal Antwerp & Belgium
Vermeeren is on the verge of joining Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, per reports.
18 year old defensive midfielder was the diamond in the rough for a struggling Royal Antwerp side who had a poor UEFA Champions League in 23/24. A highlight of the campaign came in Matchday 6 when he scored in a 3-2 win against the La Liga Champions Barcelona in December 2023.
For a defensive midfielder Vermeeren had an impressive display going further forward up field, showing stats of; 2/2 successful dribbles, 3/3 accurate long balls and two passes into the final third for a team who only mustered 31% possession is very impressive.
More statistical data furthering show the youngsters capability is him being ranked in the 82nd percentile for blocks per 90 and in the 79th percentile for clearances amongst all midfielders in Europe.
Along with his impressive start to the 23/24 season, the Belgian has been capped for his country twice, being of the youngest ever to be capped for the national team.
If the proposed move to the Wanda Metropolitano is to fall through, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and numerous premier league clubs will try to scoop the midfielder up instantly.
Leny Yoro - LOSC Lille & France
18 year old Leny Yoro has been at the heart of Lille's back line this season. The Frenchman has played every single Ligue 1 game this term. It is no surprise his arrival into the team co-aligns with the mini upturn in Lille's form in the 23/24 season, currently sat 5th.
The Young centre half has been capped seven times for the French under 21's side, firmly planting his place in the team, for the time being. Don't be surprised if a call up for the first team in 2024 is due for Leny Yoro being a bigger achievement then usual, when you consider the elite level of depth France have in that position.
14 time European champions Real Madrid and French giants Paris Saint-Germain are two sides that won't stay away from the rumour mill. A January move might be to soon for the Frenchman but if he does continue his rich form going into the business end of the season, expect a move to Europe's elite in the summer.
Assane Diao - Real Betis & Spain
Assane Diao, an 18 year old winger has broken onto the scene as recent as the beginning of the 23/24 season where he started his professional career at Real Betis. Diao drawn comparisons with some of the top wingers in the world like Donyell Malen and ex-crystal palace winger Wilfried Zaha with his raw pace and ability to use both feet.
The winger learned his craft in the Betis' academy, arriving there in 2021 from Cadiz CF. He was then able to make his professional debut in September 2023 when he was handed his first few minutes in the cauldron that is Ibrox, as he saw his Betis side beaten 1-0 by the home team, featuring for what was only a couple of minutes.
Carrying on from the delights of making his professional debut, Diao did something he might of not even dreamt off, scoring in his next 3 games.
The highlight of these three goals being his brilliant taken strike against Granada. Using his weaker foot to put away a brilliant taken goal after recovering the ball on the edge of the box and taking the ball past the Granada players with ease. The goals have dried up though for Diao since this little streak, scoring once since.
The Spaniard managed to reach the semi finals of the under 19 European championships with Spain in the summer, featuring four times and then was immediately promoted to the under 21 side. With the success and joy young players like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have had breaking to the Senior team, the door is certainly open for another winger such as Diao to make his name against some of the best defenders in the world in 2024, certainly one to keep an eye on.
Guillaume Restes - Toulouse & France
Guillame Restes has happened to not be the first keeper to come out of Toulouse that has been destined for big things. It was not so long ago Albon Lafont now playing for Nantes also started his career between the sticks for Toulouse, however Restes will be looking to one up Lafont on the career the 25 year old has had so far.
The 18 year old has managed to feature in every single minute of league football for Toulouse so far this season. Another Landmark achievement Restes has picked up this season is earning himself four caps for the French under 21's side.
He has helped Toulouse to get to 14th in the league, which is along side playing European football, which regularly brings a bigger challenge to the sides without a larger squad. However Toulouse sit 10th in terms of goals conceded per 90, at 1.3 goals per game. This can imply a dry lack of goals may be what is holding Toulouse back this season.
Guillame Restes is ranked in the 72nd percentile for his save percentage amongst keepers in Europe so far in the 23/24 season. A highlight he will certainly look back on from this season, is being apart of the team that beat Liverpool FC in November. The Goalkeeper made 3 saves on the night from 4 shots on goal made by Liverpool.
A part of the youngster's game in which he has earned respect for is his ability on the ball, which was put on show when Toulouse matched Paris Saint-Germain in what came to a 2-0 defeat for Toulouse, the 18 year old did not have anything to be ashamed about.
As of now there isn't any rumours of note linking Restes out of Toulouse, however it is only a matter of time clubs come knocking if he is to carry on in his upward trajectory, getting the opportunity to play in knockout competition if Toulouse are successful to advance out of the play-off round of the Europa League.
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