The future of Spanish football is looking spectacularly bright and in very good hands.
While all the talk and praise have been heaped on the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Oyarzabal, Olmo and Ferran Torres, all of whom have received first and regular call-ups to the Spanish squad under Luis Enrique and have become key figures for their clubs, there is yet another prestigious and flawless young talent quietly going about his business, slightly under the radar, and that young star is Villarreal’s Yeremi Pino.
After his four-goal haul against Espanyol at the weekend, Pino became the first player to score four goals in a La Liga game since Lionel Messi two years ago. He also became the youngest-ever player to score a first half hat-trick in the Spanish top-flight.
The record-breaking doesn’t stop there, Pino is also the youngest player to score a La Liga brace for Villarreal at the age of 19 years and 130 days.
The teenage Spanish international completed a perfect hat-trick in the first half — left foot, right foot, header — and added his fourth after the break in an emphatic 5-1 win over Espanyol.
The 19-year-old has earned rave reviews since his breakthrough in the Villarreal first team, and also became the first teenager to start a Europa League final, and win the competition as the ‘Yellow Submarine’ triumphed over Manchester United on penalties last season.
Pino has enjoyed yet another tremendous breakthrough campaign for Villarreal, and even made his Champions League debut for the club playing against the likes of Manchester United, and Atalanta. His four goal haul against Espanyol took his overally tally for the season to seven goals and four assists in 23 starts.
So who is Yeremi Pino?
Born and raised in Las Palmas, Canary Islands. Pino joined UD Las Palmas’ youth setup in 2014, after representing outfits AD Huracán and Barrio Atlántico CF.
In June 2017, Pino was offered the chance to join Barcelona, a dream move for many young academy products across the country, but interestingly turned down the move and chose to join Villarreal instead.
He made his debut with the C-team in August 2019, coming on as a second-half substitute for Fer Niño and scoring the third goal in a 3-0 victory over CF Recambios Colón in the Tercera División. After finishing his first senior season with three goals in 20 appearances for the Villarreal C-team, he was promoted to the reserves in Segunda División B. A seamless and impressive transition.
It wasn’t long before Pino impressed and caught the eye of the Villarreal coaches in the first team. After spending the pre-season with the first team under Unai Emery, Pino made his professional debut on 22 October 2020, replacing Francis Coquelin in a 5–3 UEFA Europa League win over Sivasspor. He made his La Liga debut three days later, again from the bench in a 0–0 draw at Cádiz CF.
Pino bagged his first professional goal for the club in October 2020, netting the equalizer in a 3–1 away success over Qarabağ FK in the UEFA Europa League. On 12 November that year, he renewed his contract at the club until 2024, with many believing he’d go on to become a leading player for Villarreal in the near future.
In May 2021, Pino was rewarded for his stunning performances, with Emery entrusting him to start the 2021 UEFA Europa League Final against Manchester United, becoming the youngest Spanish player to start a major European final, aged 18 years and 218 days, breaking the previous record of Iker Casillas in the 2000 UEFA Champions League Final, aged 19 years and 4 days.
He also became the youngest player to win the competition, eclipsing the record set by Robin van Persie in the 2002 UEFA Cup Final.
The 19-year-old has represented his country Spain across all levels, even captaining the under-18s. Due to the isolation of some national team players following the positive COVID-19 test of Sergio Busquets, Spain’s under-21 squad were called up for the international friendly against Lithuania on 8 June 2021, in which Pino featured.
Since then, Pino has gone on to make two appearances so far for Luis Enrique’s talented side, making his senior debut for the senior side on October 2021 in the Nations League semi-final against Italy.
What’s so good about Yeremi Pino?
Standing at just 1.72 metres (5ft8in) and 63kg, Pino is a small winger with flair, pace, trickery and a low centre of gravity. Even though he is a right-footer and prefers to be deployed as an inside winger, the 18-year-old can play on both sides of the pitch, showcasing a lot of versatility despite his tender age.
He’s also been deployed up front in a 4-4-2 system also, but prefers being deployed out wide where he can showcase his 1v1 abilities, make the most of space out wide and assist his teammates.
Pino’s main strengths include pace, dribbling and high technical abilities, an eye for a goal, acceleration, agility and, perhaps the most surprising of them all, genuine defensive discipline and work rate as shown through his performance against Manchester United in the Europa League final, tasked in keeping his defensive shape and halting Luke Shaw’s threat on his flank whilst also providing a telling threat on the counter.
Throughout the past year, Pino’s influence and importance to Emery’s organised and compact system has grown. He’s started 17 of his 25 La Liga outings, compared to just starting 6 out of 24 appearances. Whilst he recorded impressive stats in terms of his dribbling and ball-carrying per90 last season, 51.2% dribbles success rate, 2.36 successful dribbles per90, and 7.30 progressive carries per90, his numbers have dropped considerably this season, but that may not be any fault of his own but down to Villarreal’s inconsistencies for large parts of the campaign.
However, that hasn’t stopped him becoming an influence when he is on the field. What is impressive, is his finishing as despite not tallying too many shots per 90 minutes (1.45), the 11th most out of the whole squad and the least out of Unai Emery’s attacking weaponry. Though, Pino is extremely accurate and lethal, even currently outperforming his expected goals (xG) value of 5.4, with 6 goals so far in La Liga. His shots on target % of 54.5 is the 6th best in the Spanish top-flight. He’s also outperforming his expected assists (xA) value of the same figure, with 4.
Without a doubt, one of Pino’s greatest weapons in his arsenal is his dribbling. In the 2020/21 campaign and across all competitions, he registered 6.59 dribbles per 90 minutes with a 60.4% success rate, rating him as one of the more efficient dribblers in La Liga. As stated previously, that figure has dropped this season, but it’s no fault of his own, or to say his abilities and influence are decreasing.
Yeremi Pino’s 21/22 season hasn’t been as explosive as his 20/21 where he in a few months made himself a name on the biggest stage but he has steadily improved in silence. His output and, more importantly, underlying numbers have increased, the latter significantly. Top talent.
He still attempts 3.36 dribbles per 90 with a success rate of 45%, but more interestingly, through those numbers, his influence is actually increasing. He’s so far averaging 2.64 shot creating actions per 90 (meaning the two offensive leading to a shot or goal including live-ball passes, dead-ball passes, successful dribbles, shots which lead to another shot, and being fouled), which is an improvement of his 2.60 for last season, and Pino is also averaging and considerably topping his goal-creating actions figure (0.66) – the eighth best in the division – from last season (0.23).
Yeremi Pino’s heat-map this season
As shown through the above heatmap, Pino has been regularly deployed as right-winger for Unai Emery this season, and that’s where we regularly see the best of him.
Pino can effectively dribble from the halfway line onward but is most effective when entering the final third. Interestingly enough, as a true inverted winger, he will cut inside as he gets closer to the box and this is usually where he’ll try to beat his man to create the biggest advantage for himself.
It’s vital to note, that Unai Emery’s system ensures that the winger is isolated with his marker in large and open spaces, which always benefits him rather than the defender. We’ve seen how effective this is through the consistent performances of new signing Arnaut Danjuma, but Pino is also following suit. In these areas Pino can use his incredible acceleration and pace to cover a lot of ground, carrying the ball at his feet.
After that, he engages in and wins the duel against his marker, finishing the action with a brilliantly executed shot or an action that ultimately leads to a chance for his teammates. While he is certainly not a volume shooter since he’s only registered a total of 21 shots so far in 2021/22, his shot selection is great and the youngster has a keen eye for goal.
Considering he has scored six La Liga goals from a 5.54 xG, we can conclude his finishing has been at the required level. After all, 54.5% of his shots have ended up on target, which is impressive despite a lower overall volume.
All of his goals this season and last have come from a very similar position inside the 18-yard-box. This comes as a direct result of his marauding runs and dribbles, both of which we’ve already concluded originate around that same area. Against Espanyol at the weekend though, Pino showcased his incredible potency scoring from 4 of his 5 shots in an around the penalty area.
His fourth and final goal, arguably the pick of the lot, latching onto a through ball from Arnaut Danjuma before instinctively and skillfully knocking the ball past Diego Lopez in the Espanyol goal, and slotting home. A goal truly encompassing Pino’s sharp trickery, audacity and stunning courageousness when faced with pressured situations.
Passing might not be among Pino’s greatest weapons but when combined with some of his other traits, it makes for a deadly tool at his disposal. He is becoming a player skilful at setting his teammates up as much as finishing the actions himself. Of course, we shouldn’t forget that with only 27.8 passes per 90 minutes, he is not a volume passer and in general, can still be risk-averse in most situations. Pino’s passing can be safe but is also used in lay-offs and quick combinations out on the flanks, showing that he always wants to be on the move, which means his passing isn’t going to be one of his strongest suits.
Overall, with an 79.1% pass success rate, we can say that he’s fairly confident in possession and won’t give away the ball carelessly that often, which speaks volumes about any young, flair winger such as himself. Usually, this is exactly what young players struggle with the most but Pino seems to be mature on the ball, especially for his age. He isn’t afraid of the risky passes either, and it can be devastating when it derives from a mazy dribble and into an area where he can hurt opposition defences.
His 1.18 key passes per 90 so far this season is an improvement on his 0.90 figure from all of last season.
Finally, we’ll will finish with a quick overview of Pino’s contribution to Villarreal’s defensive tactics. In general, Emery’s men are a team that fluctuates between a high press and a mid-block and the youngster is a hard worker in both systems. On average, he engages in 26.08 duels per 90 with a success rate of 47.8%.
The youngster won’t always press as high and be successful at it but tracking back and maintaining the team’s structure is certainly a part of his repertoire. Of course, his success rate will vary from game to game but with almost 50% of his duels being successful on average, we can conclude that he plays a big part in ensuring the flank is not breached.
But when and if he’s asked to press high, Pino will gladly do it and will generally stick well to his man once the second line of press is activated. Emery has him either as part of the front two in a 4-4-2 or as part of the second line in the wider areas. In any case, with 2.89 tackles + interceptions per 90 minutes, he won 7 out of his 10 defensive duels against Espanyol, so there’s an argument to be made about Pino’s tremendous and admirable work rate.
He is a willing runner and defender when asked to but when given the freedom to express himself in attacking areas, he’s a player who certainly won’t shy away from performing the extraordinary.
Forecasting the Future
At 19-years of age, Yeremi Pino is an incredible young talent. The future certainly seems bright.
Pino has proven a blessing for Unai Emery and Villarreal because he does everything asked of him. Give him an in-game task, and he won’t deviate from it. He’s a willing learner, so mature for his age but also a player not shy to express himself on the pitch.
There’s no telling where his long-term future lies but it will certainly be at Villarreal after signing a new deal at the Estadio de la Cerámica, taking him to 2027. The Yellow Submarine will provide him with the perfect platform to grow, learn, develop and maybe become one of the club’s most prestigious every players in the coming future.
Let’s not forget, he could be a key figure not just for his club, but for the Spanish national team also along with the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres. Yeremi Pino is certainly amongst that prestigious list of flawless young Spanish talents.
With this current Manchester United squad you just simply have no idea what you are going to get from one week to the next.
One moment they’ll reel you in with some sublime attacking displays and the next, they’ll leave you bewildering and in total disbelief. One constant has been the inexcusable contrast between first-half performances and second-half capitulations, as was again the case at Elland Road at the weekend, regardless of the calibre of the opposition or position of superiority they assume.
It’s become a regular pattern in recent weeks, but also telling representation that this United side may have a wealth of attacking talent, but as a unit they lack the street-smartness and composure to control games to their favour. They can be devastating but unbelievably frail, lacking the panache to control and dominate opponents over 90 minutes.
It’s evidently clear the squad needs some injection of control and bite in midfield, though something that Ralf Rangnick has increasingly been able to rely upon amid the chaos elsewhere in his side has been the performances of £73m summer capture Jadon Sancho.
The England forward is finally adding some goals and assists to his Premier League repertoire helping decide another pulsating mini War of the Rose battle.
You’d be lying if you had said Sancho hasn’t endured a difficult start to life in a Manchester United shirt. Of course, it hasn’t been plain sailing. At Borussia Dortmund, Sancho played in a team with a high-octane style where the general levels of the Bundesliga are slower and tailored perfectly to his flamboyant and jinky style, and though he has grounding of English football from his time at Watford and Manchester City, the English top flight is a significant step for a player still so young.
It took him all of six months to get his first Premier League goal for the club, against Southampton at Old Trafford. Fans have looked at his relatively hefty price tag, rather unfairly expecting him to hit the ground running but even the best of players in this division have found it incredibly difficult to make a swift impact upon arrival, and Sancho is no different.
At times the 21-year-old has been criticized for playing too safe, not showing off his usual mazy dribbles, tricks and deceptive movements but rather playing the ball back when faced 1v1 with his marker. It’s perfectly understandable though, when you’re still trying to adapt to your new surroundings, being too safety-first and cautious under pressure rather than taking risks.
Some even wondered earlier on in the season whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s football, which gave licence to individual flair and creativity, really suited Sancho, and as a result found his place in the team limited. Indeed, Sancho seemed to be the collateral damage of the crisis engulfing Solskjaer, with the former United manager turning to the safety-first of a 3-4-1-2 system that had no room for wingers.
Such uncertainty in style and cohesion in United’s play ultimately led to the sacking of the Norwegian, and rather strangely led to Sancho’s immediate future at Old Trafford being under threat, even after Solskjaer had strongly advocated for the club to sign him last summer.
However, in all honesty, it can be argued that Solskjaer was the man holding him back. Since his departure, Sancho’s performance levels and adaptation to the team has markedly improved. His first goal for the club – under the stewardship of interim boss and former first team coach Michael Carrick – against Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League group stage finale, certainly showed a player finally beginning to get into his groove. The 21-year-old was superb on the night as United ran out 2-0 winners in the east of Spain.
Since Ralf Rangnick’s arrival though, Sancho is not just starting to show why United so desperately coveted him for two years, but is also fast becoming one of the few leading lights the club can depend upon to make crucial difference in matches.
The goals and assists may not have arrived until recently but it was clear Sancho was finally getting into the swing of things, accumulating more minutes under his belt, regaining his confidence, Rangnick almost simplifying his game and the tactical freedom around him and he’s now showing more glimpses of why Manchester United paid so much money for him.
Reports within the club in November during his difficult period were positive, with many believing Sancho would finally come good as the season progressed and that he has.
Against Leeds United, the weather helped set the scene and tone for Sunday’s ensuing battle, with incessant heavy rain leaving parts of the pitch sodden, making the trudging through no man’s land to reach your opponent that bit heavier underfoot.
With Leeds defenders bursting with rage and steam streaming from their nostrils bearing down on him, Sancho often remained calm and composed when clipping a sumptuous first time cross onto the head of Bruno Fernandes, who could not miss to put United 2-0 up.
It was the theme throughout the match surrounding Sancho’s performance. While others were slipping and sliding in treacherous conditions, Sancho used it to his advantage gliding across the pitch with such unerring grace and confidence.
Sancho has worked himself into such positions to create openings on plentiful occasions this season, but failed to find that killer pass. Now, he finally had that first elusive Premier League assist, on his 14th start, to prove the 11 he recorded in the German top flight, and the 18 he laid on in all competitions last season were no fluke.
Though, all his good work were about to be undone in a matter of moments in the second-half. Manchester United these days are never comfortable at 2-0 up, if you need any reminders just ask Aston Villa.
Infact, in three of their previous four league games, they had failed to earn victory having been leading by one goal at the break but, they instead conceded two quick-fire goals in 59 seconds early in the second half to allow Leeds back into it, and give the fans around Elland Road hope they could grab all three points.
With pandemonium still ensuing, and emotional embraces lasting longer than when a son or daughter returns home from university for the first time after a long period away, the quality and grace of Jadon Sancho once again dragged his teammates out of the mire and set them on the road to a crucial success.
With options either side of him, the weight on the pass for substitute Fred was something that only the very best can produce, and the Brazilian made no mistake. It was game, set and match from then on in.
Sancho didn’t stop there though, almost laying on another for Anthony Elanga after one of the most stupendous mazy runs and trickery down the touchline to get past three Leeds United players, but Elanga could only fire Sancho’s finely weighted pass straight at Illan Meslier in the Leeds goal.
The Premier League is getting prepared for Jadon Sancho. It took a while but it’s coming.
Whenever Sancho is faced with creative decisions in an around the final third, he always delivers executing them with such wonderful composure, calmness and class that so few in Europe’s top-five leagues can match. It’s almost as if time stands still.
Sancho has now been involved in four goals in his last five games in all competitions – two goals and two assists – twice as many as he was in his first 23 appearances. He completed more progression actions (10) against Leeds than any other United player and he also made the third-most possession recoveries (9), only bettered by Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (11).
Credit must be given to Ralf Rangnick for providing Sancho with the tools and tactical freedom to express himself, almost unburdening him with needless responsibilities but ensuring he performs at maximum capacity.
The German discussed his extensively relationship with Sancho from former years before he chose to move to Borussia Dortmund and that bond and trust is certainly being reflected on the pitch.
In fact, in a matter of months Sancho ranks amongst the best for creativity in the final third amongst Rangnick’s crop of players.
So far this season, the former Dortmund wizard ranks 2nd for key passes per 90 (2.17), 2nd for passes into the penalty area (23), 2nd for shot-creating actions per 90 (4.20) (the two offensive actions leading to a shot, such as passes, dribbles and drawing fouls), he ranks 1st for progressive carries (140), carries into the final third (51) and 18-yard box (36). He’s also recorded the most successful dribbles (33) out of any United player too.
🏴👏 Jadon Sancho had 29 touches in the opposition’s area in February, only Raheem Sterling (33) and Mo Salah (35) managed more in the league. pic.twitter.com/sOqLrCDX5U
Whoever said Jadon Sancho isn’t making an impact at Old Trafford? The above numbers emphatically tells us he is. When United are in need of creativity in the final third, its not just Fernandes they are looking to, but Sancho also. The 21-year-old has almost lifted the creative burden off his Portuguese teammate.
The 21-year-old is playing with real style and confidence again, and it was only a matter of time and opportunity. With all the uncertainty, negative press and rumours engulfing the club in past couple months, Sancho has provided United fans with the hope and optimism that the future is indeed bright at Old Trafford.
From struggling to be considered for a starting berth a few months ago to being one of the first names on the team sheet. Rangnick was always going to look favourably on a player he knows so well from his time in Germany, but in this current form, he simply cannot ignore the man who should be front and centre of this up and coming United revolution.
The UEFA Champions League is back on screens this week.
How we’ve missed that awe-inspiring, harmonious and breathtaking Handel-inspired Champions League anthem on our speakers, but we’re so glad its back as we look forward to another year of juicy European ties.
It might have taken two attempts to complete the draw in December but the round of 16 has certainly pulled out some exciting fixtures, with some of Europe’s heavyweights and a few of the most decorated up and coming clubs on the continent go head-to-head.
Other than the usual suspects like Lionel Messi, Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski, who are some of under-the-radar players to look out for?
#AnthonyScouts picks out nine exciting footballers enjoying stellar campaigns, who could make their name on the grandest European stage…
Karim Adeyemi, Red Bull Salzburg
This will be RB Salzburg’s first-ever Champions League knockout tie after negotiating a tricky and exciting group containing Wolfsburg, Sevilla, and Lille.
The Austrians possess a decorated history in bringing through bright, young talent, including Takumi Minamino, Patson Daka, Dominik Szoboszlai, Naby Keita, Sadio Mane and Erling Haaland in recent years.
Though, the current jewel in their crown and arguably Europe’s most exciting young striker is 20-year-old Karim Adeyemi, who has lit up the Austrian Bundesliga so far this season and looks well equipped to become one of Europe’s biggest stars.
Adeyemi is reportedly on the radar of a number of clubs on the continent including Barcelona, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, and he could well be on his way the latter with the German giants reportedly close to securing Adeyemi’s signature for next season.
The Germany international has consummately sharpened his attacking output with an incredible 14 league goals in 18 games for RB Salzburg in 2021-22, eclipsing his return of eight goals and seven assists in his first full season last year. In eight UEFA Champions League games this season, including the early qualifying rounds, Adeyemi has notched 4 goals.
Besides possessing a unique eye for goal, Adeyemi is a stunning player to watch, a flawless young forward, blessed with such searing pace and acceleration, incredible close control and amazing trickery making him an absolute nightmare for opposition defenders. He regularly looks to pull wide and attack the penalty area with his low centre of gravity to make space for a shot.
Two of his three goals in the Champions League have come from the penalty spot and Adeyemi will be eager to add to his tally in Europe. Salzburg have been handed a very tough draw against Bayern Munich but Adeyemi’s incentive to impress on the grandest stage will be heightened by the fact he was released from Bayern’s academy at the age of 10. They are also one of the clubs that have been most heavily linked with a move for him in the summer.
This could well set up to be one of the most captivating headlines of the campaign.
Pedro Gonçalves, Sporting Lisbon
One of Portugal’s hottest prospects and a player certainly on a mission to force his name in the European headlines is Sporting Lisbon’s incredibly gifted forward, Pedro Gonçalves.
The former heir to Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes’ throne at the José Alvalade Stadium, has, incredibly, proven even more prolific for the Portuguese champions than the Manchester United ace.
Gonçalves was an integral figure in helping Sporting win their first Primeira Liga title for 19 years last season, finishing as the league’s top goalscorer with 23 goals from a scarcely believable xG total of 11.6.
Fernandes had a stupendous season in 2018-19 for Sporting, scoring 20 league goals, but Pedro Goncalves outdid him last season.
In doing so, he became the Primeira Liga’s first Portuguese top scorer since Domingos back in 1996.
This goalscoring feat is made all the more impressive given the 23-year-old’s position. Sporting operate in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Goncalves as a hybrid attacking midfielder/forward between the lines — often drifting to the right-hand side. His ability to locate spaces in between the lines and in the half-space is incredible and highlights his wealth of tactical knowledge and super versatility.
His finishing isn’t too bad either, as his phenomenal stats show.
Naturally right-footed, Gonçalves is capable of clinical strikes with his left foot as well, and his great form has continued into this season.
Pedro Gonçalves, nicknamed “Pote” has netted six times in the league so far and added two braces versus Besiktas and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League as Sporting survived defeats in their opening fixtures to qualify for the last 16. He’s also recorded five assists in the league highlighting his wonderful gifts in not only scoring goals, but creating them too.
Gonçalves was previously on the books at Wolverhampton Wanderers, and his impressive performances in the Champions League will no doubt have caught the eye of more Premier League sides with a view to bringing him back to England in the very near future.
It could be the perfect audition, given that Sporting play Manchester City in what could potentially be a tasty tie in the round of 16. Pep Guardiola’s men are likely to be strong favourites, but Pote could make life difficult — and maybe make Pep take notice too.
Arnaut Danjuma, Villarreal
When Arnaut Danjuma joined Villarreal from AFC Bournemouth last summer for €25m, little did we know he’d make such a telling impact in Unai Emery’s progressive side so soon.
A few months into his Spanish top-flight career and the recently-made Netherlands international has become one of La Liga’s blossoming individuals so far this season.
After hitting 17 goals and 7 assists in the Sky Bet Championship last season, the former Club Brugge forward was always destined for bigger and better things but many thought he’d make that step up in the Barclays Premier League rather than beyond borders.
With several clubs interested in his services last summer, it was Villarreal who took a punt on his flawless abilities, and its safe to say the 24-year-old hasn’t looked back.
20 appearances, 9 goals (5 in La Liga, 4 in the Champions League), and 3 assists, Danjuma has certainly showed he is good enough and ready to cut it amongst the most elite footballers in Europe. The slippery Dutchman has gone from the Championship to the Champions League without batting an eyelid at the transition.
Danjuma’s trajectory over the past year has been nothing short of sensational, and already he is showing his talents on the most prestigious of footballing stages in the UEFA Champions League.
If you need any pieces of evidence as to how good he is, not only that, but how invaluable he’s become to Unai Emery’s side in short space of time, check out his performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the group stages.
It was simply jaw-dropping, giving full-back Diogo Dalot a torrid evening.
Danjuma may have been one of La Liga’s most expensive transfers this summer, but is currently proving he’s worth every penny spent. The Europa League winners were looking for a player who could help them jump forward to the next level tactically and in attack and Danjuma is keeping his part of the bargain.
Unai Emery’s men are clearly more efficient, potent and exciting on the attack and much of that is down to Danjuma’s unpredictable nature on the left-flank.
Villarreal have a tough fixture against Juventus in the knockout stages, and they will need Danjuma firing on all cylinders after his return from injury to have any chance of causing yet another Emery-European-upset.
Jonathan David, LOSC Lille
Since his move to Lille from Belgium outfit Gent in the summer of 2020, Canadian Jonathan David has come on leaps and bounds, although he did endure a difficult start – going on a run of seven games without a goal.
However, in the second half of last season, his form picked up.
Eleven of his 13 league goals in 2020-21 came after the turn of the year, as Lille done the unthinkable, finishing the campaign as French Ligue 1 champions.
This season, Lille have struggled to maintain their form as they currently sit in mid-table in Ligue 1. However, Jonathan David has continued his tremendous development. He is Ligue 1’s second top scorer with 12 goals from 19 appearances, just two goals behind AS Monaco’s Wissam Ben Yedder.
In a league including Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi, that is a superb feat.
An extraordinary unique forward, blessed with great pace, skill, tenaciousness, trickery and acceleration. The Canadian is tremendously versatile too, capable of playing anywhere in attack; as a no.9, right-winger, left-winger, and a no.10. If fast and speedy players are your type, then Jonathan David is your man.
A player whose game is based on an exciting blend of technique, mental sharpness and tremendous physical attributes.
The Canadian has excelled in his work-rate and off-the-ball attributes. So far this campaign, he is recording 5.39 successful pressures per 90minutes. He is in the top 10 percent of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues when it comes to pressures off the ball owing to his tremendous energy, enthusiasm and work rate. David has traded off some of that defensive work, and remodeled himself as a poacher in front of goal. A record of 0.48 non-penalty goals per 90 is brilliant and is simply going to get better.
David’s scoring form in Ligue 1 over the past two seasons, and for Canada where he’s been the top CONCACAF scorer in World Cup Qualifying, suggests he could score more goals for any of Europe’s top clubs, and with his name reportedly in the headlines for a number of top European outfits this summer, he could well be on the move.
First he’d have to help Lille navigate through a tough fixture against last season’s European champions Chelsea, and there is no doubt that the young Canadian forward will be central to any potential upset.
Jurrien Timber, Ajax
Ajax’s youth academy has been providing Europe’s biggest clubs with elite talent for decades now and with the likes of Jurrien Timber emerging the trend is not slowing.
There’s been no change in the Ajax philosophy ever since: they invest tremendously in youth, making sure that the players receive the best physical and mental development, and even more importantly, that they are granted the earliest possible trust at the highest level.
Timber is the latest of those entrusted with significant responsibility in the first team, and is thriving as a result.
The youngster earned Erik ten Hag’s trust with his composure and vision as he reads the game well and fits Ajax’s strategy perfectly. His displays granted him a regular starting spot which he hasn’t taken for granted and has used to prove his qualities while becoming one of the team’s key players.
While they have always been successful in attack, this term their defensive performance has been exceptional. At the time of writing, Ajax have only conceded FIVE league goals in 22 games, which is a remarkable record and underlines the importance of their defensive players.
Ten Hag’s side also made history in the Champions League by winning all their games in the group stage, outplaying Sporting CP, Borussia Dortmund and Beşiktas.
Ajax are currently the best performing team in Eredivisie, displaying high awareness, composure and consistency. The team’s well-measured actions and anticipation skills result in a high success rate in almost every aspect.
The Ajax players are proficient in winning their challenges clearly, despite actually having the highest challenge intensity (duels, tackles and interceptions per minute of opponent possession) in the league. They are first in the league in terms of successful actions with 66.9% of won defensive duels on average.
Despite the lack of experience, Jurrien Timber has successfully contributed to Ajax’s unbreachable defence possessing impressive composure in defence which puts him ahead despite his lack of physicality and height. His technique and confidence on the ball allow him to dive into challenges and escape pressure through dribbling which helps the team in retaining possession.
His composure results in winning 76.2% of his defensive duels, which is a better percentile compared to his centre-back partner, Lisandro Martínez (73.5%).
What makes him successful defensively, though, is his positional sense. Timber’s ability to read the game helps him in anticipating the oppositions’ movement and move into spaces so he can pressurise his opponents and block their attacking efforts. He contributes with 13.35 recoveries per game and roughly four of them are in the opposition half.
This underlines his strong positioning and anticipation skills, although it also indicates the whole team strategy, which has the defensive line positioned high in possession.
The key qualities that have led to his valuable contribution are his concentration and work ethic. The 20-year-old is constantly aware of his surroundings and it is difficult to catch him out of position and unprepared. If their opponents Benfica are to triumph in this tie, they will have to do incredibly well to bypass Jurrien Timber and his resilient defensive counterparts.
Ridle Baku, Wolfsburg
Ridle Baku has enjoyed a seismic rise over the past 18 months, swapping relegation-threatened Mainz 05 for Champions League football at the Volkswagen Arena.
At an age where many of his peers are just beginning to take their first steps in the Bundesliga, Baku has already started over 100 topflight Bundesliga matches, won a U21 European Championship, and narrowly missed out on Germany’s Euro 2020 squad.
With summer interest from PSG & Bayern, and Tottenham Hotspur it won’t be long before Baku is tearing up the pitch for Hansi Flick’s national team and competing for silverware at one of Europe’s elite outfits.
The right-sided midfielder, come right-back is an incredibly astute, tactically aware and all-round footballer.
The young right-back was an influential piece in the Germany U21 side that won the European Championship in June and as a result, is already attracting significant interest from clubs around Europe. Baku was named Player of the Match in the U21 final against Portugal and even concluded the tournament with the highest assists (3).
In the 38 appearances Baku made for German side Wolfsburg last term, he recorded an impressive 16 goal involvements, recording 6 goals and 6 assists in the German Bundesliga.
This season, he has continued his fine contribution to Wolfsburg’s goal threat, with two goals and two assist whilst also scoring in the Champions League group stages against RB Salzburg in November.
The 1.76m-tall defender, who can even be deployed as a midfielder, lead the ranking for the Bundesliga with 1,061 sprints last season. This season’s tally may have decreased, but he’s still within the top 10 sprinters in the division with 598 sprints. Few players covered a greater distance last season than him. He was the 10th-best runner with 351 km run on the field.
The 23-year old is always more than willing to make lung-busting runs forward as well as make the hard yards back to rescue a situation defensively.
Baku is highly versatile too having already played in all possible positions on the right-flank for the team. He’d prove a valuable asset for any top outfit in Europe owing to his incredible versatility but also providing his side with the opportunity to be tactically flexible. Wherever he is deployed, Ridle Baku will give his utmost.
With quick changes of direction, a glue-like control, and fluid movement, Ridle Baku is able to wriggle free from any lunging challenges and create the attacking impulses which have made him such a resounding success at the Volkswagen Arena.
The 23-year-old has brought lofty comparisons to Germany and Bayern Munich icon Philipp Lahm, showing what a generational talent Wolfsburg have on their books.
Though Ridle Baku has a long way to go before winning 113 national team caps, and 17 major titles, the intelligence in his positional play is right in line with FC Bayern’s former captain. Whereas Lahm made the switch from rightback to defensive midfield in the latter stages of his career, Baku has undergone the opposite transition, playing primarily as a midfielder for Mainz before operating almost exclusively on the right flank at Wolfsburg.
Just as Lahm was adept at moving inside from right-back or dropping into the wide channels from a midfield role, Baku’s ability to drift into the half-spaces have made him an absolute nightmare for opposition fullbacks. The Under-21 European Championship were perhaps the best example of this. Baku, operating primarily at right midfield in a classic 4-2-3-1, was electric from start to finish, ending the competition with the most goal contributions as Germany lifted the title with a 1-0 victory over Portugal.
Baku completed the 5th most crosses of any Bundesliga fullback last season, routinely searching for the head of new Burnley striker Wout Weghorst or providing a driven ball into the run of an advancing midfielder. Whilst he may not be as prolific as either Borna Sosa of Stuttgart or Filip Kostić of Frankfurt, the variety of ways Baku can hurt an opposition defense makes up for his somewhat inconsistent crossing.
Ridle Baku may have only registered 2 assists from the wide right channel this season, but when afforded time and space he is more than capable of finding his target.
Nuno Mendes, Paris Saint-Germain
Nuno Mendes has been getting rave reviews since making the move from Lisbon to Paris last summer as PSG’s new left-back.
At just 19 years old, Mendes has adapted well from a wing-back role in a 4-3-2-1 at Sporting Lisbon to a full-back role within PSG’s 4-3-3, but his skill set remains unchanged.
The Portugal international has made 15 appearances for Mauricio Pochettino’s side in Ligue 1 this season, alongside his six appearances in the UEFA Champions League. Touted as one of the finest talents of his position on the continent, Nuno Mendes is certainly on his way to world-wide stardom.
Last season at Sporting, Mendes cemented his status as the finest left-back in Portugal thanks to a deadly combination of speed, explosive movement, and close control which allows him to create danger either from a standing start or whilst on the counter-attack.
Apart from his dribbling, Mendes boasts an excellent crossing ability whether tightly marked or open in space, and his physical prowess allows him to beat out opponents to the ball either with his speed or strength.
Despite boasting such incredible speed and strength through his lambasting runs, he’s only successfully completed 0.88 dribbles per90 so far this season, but that will only increase with more playing time and development. However, he is relatively still creative with his contributions in attack, averaging 0.98 key passes, and 3.43 final third passes per90 whilst also possessing 2.64 shot-creating actions per90. He’s al an adept defender, boasting a SmarterScout defending intensity rating of 95 out of 99.
Given his speed and imposing size, he is able to recover well whenever he might be slightly out of position, frequently nicking the ball away from the opponent and often blocking crosses into the box. He averages a very good 4.12 tackles + interceptions reading per 90 minutes. For ball recoveries and interceptions, he is rated by SmarterScout 97 out of 99.
His 3.3 dribbles attempted per 90 put him in the top 10 per cent for full-backs in Ligue 1 this season, and he can be crucial in opening up space for his team-mates to exploit.
Mendes is still in the category of a raw and unpolished talent but he has all the materials and skills required to be one of the leading left-backs in world football. The pace of Mendes and Kylian Mbappe down PSG’s left-hand side is enough to give any opponent nightmares, even their knockout opponents Real Madrid. Be prepared for an enthralling tie.
Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid
It’s completely safe to say, Vinicius Jr is enjoying his best season in a Real Madrid shirt.
His 12 league goals are bettered only by team-mate Karim Benzema, with the pair contributing to a high proportion of his team’s attacking output this season as Los Blancos lead the way in La Liga, by four points.
Vinicius’ turnaround and maturity in his decision-making and all-round game over the past year or so has been nothing short of phenomenal. In 2020/21, he underperformed xG by a remarkable 3.82. For context, that’s twice as bad as anyone else in the Real Madrid squad. In 2021/22, he’s overperforming by 3.1 xG, a figure more than twice as good as anyone else, excluding Karim Benzema.
Benzema-dependencia, as the Spanish media like to call Real Madrid’s reliance on Karim Benzema for goals, well that phrase has been thrown out the window as a result of Vinicius Jr’s sudden purple patch. Now, Karim Benzema who didn’t approve of the Brazilian over a year ago, simply cannot perform without him.
While its a testament and credit to the 21-year-old, the credit must also be given to Carlo Ancelotti who has totally unleashed the Brazilian with undying belief and faith in his abilities.
He is a double threat from the left wing, scoring goals as well as creating them (8 assists so far this campaign) — largely owing to his direct play when the ball is at his feet. No player in La Liga can top his rate of 7.3 attempted dribbles per 90 this season, and goes to show how often he looks to commit defenders which can open up space for others, such as Benzema.
In this season’s Champions League, Vinicius’s 18 chances created in open play is more than any other player in the competition, as he frequently drives into dangerous areas to pull a pass back for an oncoming team-mate.
Vinicius is no longer that naïve, overconfident and inexperienced raw talent that arrived through the Real Madrid doors in 2018. He’s now more an assured, mature and decorated performer, still possessing bags of potential to become even greater and that spells such great news for Real Madrid, a healthy return on their risky investment.
Vinicius has shown this season whatever the situation, he can and will create – whether it be scoring or assisting, he is quickly becoming a central protagonist within Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Real Madrid’s upcoming blockbuster clash with PSG is arguably the pick of the last-16 matches. Having won the competition in three successive seasons from 2016-2018, Real have gone out of the Champions League at this stage twice in the last three seasons.
If they are to correct that slide, they will need Vinicius Jr at his flawless best as he’ll be coming up against the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Di Maria and Messi. Pick your poison.
Antony, Ajax
Already an Olympic gold medalist, Antony has enjoyed a spectacularly successful rookie season at Ajax. The Brazilian right-winger is known for his rapid dribbling, amazing ball-trickery as well as his unique eye for goal.
The fact that Ajax have two talents on this list once again highlights their incredibly bright youthful roster, and a potential prediction that they could yet again take the UEFA Champions League by storm like they did in the 2018/19 campaign.
Whilst Sebastien Haller has been the pick of a talented bunch, Brazilian wing-wizard has arguably stolen the spotlight through his showstopping performances for Ajax in this year’s Champions League.
The 21-year-old has recorded 2 goals and 5 assists in 5 games, possessing a phenomenal xA average of 2.0 placing him the top 6 of players throughout the competition. The Brazilian also ranks first in the Champions League for goal-creating actions (9) and goal-creating actions per90 (2.06). He also ranks sixth for progressive carries (52).
The Brazilian is an inventive and intelligent player. With nine goals and eight assists in his first 1,200 Eredivisie minutes, there is unlikely to be a better rookie in the Dutch top-flight this season. Antony has taken to life excellently at Ajax, and has his gifted and mastery left foot to thank.
Much of the time, Antony enjoys hanging wide on the right so he can gain momentum after picking up the ball by driving inwards. His acceleration from a standing start is explosive; his elite balance and lower body strength allows him to remain on his feet even under heavy pressure – he is a worker with great endeavour, the type of player to clean up his own mess.
In Brazil, Antony relied more on ingenuity to create his moments, and there is still an element of that to his game. Now though, after just a matter of nearly a couple years in Europe, he plays with a calculating maturity and sensibility, while retaining that endearing unpredictable streak.
As with most Ajax players under the age of 25, the Johan Cruijff Arena will not be the last stop on the Antony Express. Slotting into elite European competition without skipping a beat is a sure-fire way of alerting Europe’s financially well-endowed sporting directors.
Who knows, some more scintilating performances in the knockout rounds will certainly push him closer to one of Europe’s elite clubs, probably this coming summer. The continent is certainly Antony’s oyster.
Alessandro Bastoni, Inter Milan
Italy is without doubt the home of defending. The list of renowned defenders from Bel Paese is endless. Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Gaetano Scirea, Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta are just some of the legendary names that have represented Gli Azzurri.
As a new generation approaches for Italian football, their next great defender seems to already be turning heads across the continent.
Alessandro Bastoni was born in the small town of Casalmaggiore, Lombardy. At the age of seven, he joined Atalanta’s renowned youth sides. The young defender made waves at the Bergamo club, eventually earning himself a €31million move to one of Italy’s biggest clubs; Inter Milan.
After spending spells on loan to both Atalanta & Parma, Bastoni has now finally secured his place in the starting XI for the Nerazzurri. Currently touted as one of best defensive talents of this generation, Bastoni has immersed himself as one of Inter Milan’s most prominent figures for Antonio Conte in the title winning side last season, and for current manager Simone Inzaghi.
Bastoni’s defensive statistics aren’t spectacular, but they are exactly what you’d expect and want from a CB at a top club. He ranked 6th overall amongst Serie A defenders when defending vs. the dribble.
This season, he continues to impress within a well-rounded, cohesive and organised system in Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 shape, a continuation of Conte’s title-winning formula last season. Batoni averages 3.10 tackles + interceptions per90, an improvement from last season (2.49), 2.93 clearances per90, 1.30 blocks per90 and wins an outstanding 67.8% of his aerial duels owing to relatively tall, lean and imposing frame.
Alessandro Bastoni’s defensive ability is incredible for his age. Inter Milan have kept the 2nd most clean sheets (10) and have conceded the second least goals (20) in Serie A this season. Bastoni has been a key part of that defence, playing in 21 of their 25 of league games.
One of the areas that the Italian thrives is on the ball. Bastoni has long been regarded as one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in the division. He completes 4.62 passes into the final third per 90 – amongst the best for defenders in the league. He is not only progressive on the ball, he’s very secure with it too. He has completed 93.6% of passes this season so far. Bastoni is not someone who shies away from the ball either, averaging the third most touches of Inter’s starting XI per 90 (79.7).
The Italian is clearly an incredible young defender, anybody who has watched Inter Milan this season will know this. With a tough fixture against Liverpool to come, Inter will need their stunning young centre-back in his best form if they are to stop the likes of Diogo Jota, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane from wrecking havoc.
When Arnaut Danjuma joined Villarreal from AFC Bournemouth last summer for €25m, little did we know he’d make such a telling impact in Unai Emery’s progressive side so soon.
A few months into his Spanish top-flight career and the recently-made Netherlands international is a man of fire, and one of La Liga’s blossoming individuals so far this season.
After hitting 17 goals and 7 assists in the Sky Bet Championship last season, the former Club Brugge forward was always destined for bigger and better things but many thought he’d make that step up in the Barclays Premier League rather than beyond borders.
With several clubs interested in his services last summer, it was Villarreal who took a punt on his flawless abilities, and its safe to say the 24-year-old hasn’t looked back.
He did state recently, he felt he was too good for the Championship and he needed to get out, and after his first few months under Unai Emery’s tutelage, Arnaut Groeneveld Danjuma’s has supremely backed up his lofty statement with some show-stopping, electric and superb performances for the Yellow Submarines.
14 appearances, 7 goals (5 in La Liga), and 3 assists Danjuma has certainly showed he is good enough and ready to cut it amongst the most elite footballers in Europe. The slippery Dutchman has gone from the Championship to the Champions League without batting an eyelid at the transition.
Danjuma’s trajectory over the past year has been nothing short of sensational, and already he is showing his talents on the most prestigious of footballing stages in the UEFA Champions League. If you need any pieces of evidence as to how good he is, not only that, but how invaluable he’s become to Unai Emery’s side in short space of time, check out his performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
It was simply jaw-dropping.
The forward was the most electric player on the Old Trafford pitch, despite sharing it with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Jason Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and other stars.
The former Bournemouth man had United full-back and Portuguese international Diogo Dalot on toast, cutting through him with such expert but thrilling ease. Solskjaer’s defence simply could not handle his pace, acceleration, unerring trickery and swift close-control and deceptive movement. He finished the game with an assist to his name, but also four shots, 2 key passes, 3 dribbles and with a WhoScored rating of 7.42.
There’s no doubt about it, Danjuma is amongst the most devastating forwards in Europe right now.
Danjuma’s instant impact in Spain has surprised many, but probably not coach Unai Emery, who asked club president Fernando Roig to sign the winger this summer.
The former Arsenal manager must have made a strong case because Villarreal splashed out €25 million (£21m) on the Bournemouth man – a large transfer fee by recent Spanish standards.
While giants Real Madrid and Barcelona picked up David Alaba and Memphis Depay on free transfers, Villarreal made Danjuma the second-most expensive signing in their history, behind Paco Alcacer.
Always fun to see Championship players make the step up to a higher league and succeed, but Danjuma’s case is especially cool.
Earned his move to Bournemouth in the PL, struggled somewhat, and completely rejuvenated last season. And now he’s flying
Danjuma may have been one of La Liga’s most expensive transfers this summer, but is currently proving he’s worth every penny spent. The Europa League winners were looking for a player who could help them jump forward to the next level tactically and in attack and Danjuma is keeping his part of the bargain.
Unai Emery’s men are clearly more efficient, potent and exciting on the attack and much of that is down to Danjuma’s unpredictable nature on the left-flank.
The Dutchman is one of La Liga’s most aggressive and destructive dribblers in La Liga, averaging 2.4 dribbles per game so far this campaign, per 90 he completes on average almost 2 dribbles per game, 7.76 progressive carries, 1.34 carries into the final third and an outstanding 3.43 carries into the 18-yard box showcasing just how vital he is to Villarreal’s attacking phases of play.
Danjuma also averages 9.30 touches in the opposition’s penalty box, again highlighting that he is arguably La Liga’s most effective wingers alongside the rejuvenated Real Madrid Brazillian superstar Vinicius Jr. His non-penalty XG of 0.66 is in the 99th percentile amongst Europe’s top-five leagues making him one of the most efficient scorers so far on the continent.
The 24-year-old has certainly shown up for Emery so far this season, he netted in the thrilling 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano – a stadium he knows well from his Club Brugge days – lashing past Jan Oblak in a 2-2 draw for his first goal for the club.
Clinically netting in a 2-2 draw with Atalanta in Villarreal’s Champions League opener, he was also a livewire against Elche in a 4-1 win, bursting through the defence and scoring after an hour, and also put in a brilliant showing at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid.
That was followed by two more in the 2-0 win over Real Betis, the first coming after he cut inside from the left and cleverly slipped the ball back inside the near post. He rounded the goalkeeper for his second, showing poise and good judgement. He again came to his side’s rescue against forcing a late leveller in the closing minutes against Cadiz in a 3-3 draw.
Taking 'sitting him down' to another level. Villarreal forward Arnaut Danjuma with a scrumdiddlyumptious backheel panna on Cádiz right-back Isaac Carcelén. pic.twitter.com/mEm8Dwenoa
His tremendous form so far this season earned him a late Netherlands call up under Louis van Gaal in October, and the winger duly delivered.
“Can anyone stop Danjuma?” asked Spanish newspaper Marca after he dazzled from the bench in a 6-0 win for the Netherlands against Gibraltar.
The coach called him spectacular and pointed out that his team-mates still have to adapt to his explosive balls across the face of goal.
“He had very nice and impressive dribbles, but his team-mates were not yet geared to his hard crosses,” said Van Gaal.
With time, things will only get better in that aspect, but its clear that Danjuma has given both Louis Van Gaal and Unai Emery reasons to stand up and take notice at his incredible gifts.
His Villarreal team-mates have already given him the nickname ‘Danjumagic’, although the player humbly credits his coach for his superb start in Spain.
“I need to give a massive thanks to Unai Emery,” he told Villarreal’s website. “The coach is very busy (working) with me and he really helps me perform.”
The 24-year-old has proven the star of the show at the Estadio de la Cerámica, but has most of all proven that he can be amongst the best forwards in Europe after the tremendous campaign he enjoyed last year in the English second-division. Arnaut Danjuma was always primed for much more, and he has his sights set on much bigger things which may cause some worry amongst the Villarreal fanbase.
“I came to Villarreal to prove myself again but I’m definitely visualising the next step,” he told Mail Online in September.
It’s no surprise that the forward is already drawing interest from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool with the former Borussia Dortmund coach reportedly sending scouts to watch Danjuma in action, who knows, the flying Dutchman may well be Sadio Mane’s heir on that left-flank at Anfield, and he’s certainly good enough to take over the role.
Danjuma is serious joy to watch in action with his blindingly quick feet, deceptive body movement and jaw-dropping trickery so it won’t only be Liverpool scouring for his services in the near future. Villarreal have already taken kindly to the 24-year-old wing wizard, and they should enjoy his magic while it lasts because the sky really is the limit for such a truly decorated footballer.
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