I am back and salivating at the chance to really dig into some of the players and performances that have jumped out to me as this new season of football has begun. There is a ton to unpack, as the Bundesliga seems to be in a whirlwind, with a multitude of teams trying to take advantage of Bayern’s poor start. Serie A is looking to have its most competitive season in years, and the Premier League continues to be a product that delivers excitement and drama. But I think the most overlooked story to start the season has been the subtle transition that has happened at nearly every single super club in Europe, with the next generation of superstars anointing themselves as they all vie for a chance to write their story with the pen of glory. I certainly might gloss over a few players, or even fail to mention some world class youngsters, but for now I want to discuss the players from Europe's best, that I believe will, and have already, place(d) their flag down this upcoming season.
Jamal Musiala
One of, if not my favorite player to watch at the moment. Jamal Musiala is Bayern Munich's newly crowned golden boy, and he has not spared time in showing people why he has been given such a long leash for about a year now. Around this time last year, I had watched a few Bayern Munich games and this same player appeared like a boy amongst men at times, as well as losing his balance a bit too much, which is something I really thought he had trouble with. Still, he struggles with his coordination a bit, but with more appearances under his belt, he will fine tune those quips. At the moment, even with his erratic movement on the ball, he is electric in the middle to final third of the park. His vision is unrivaled, and he seems able to make the right decision at nearly every opportunity. There is little to be said about his playmaking ability that doesn’t include “Iniesta-esque”. He vehemently reminds me of the Barcelona legend, because his natural knack is to playmake first, but also looks for his opportunity to make something happen in and around the box. He is a pest in the front third and can apply great pressure, but can create chances like his teammate and predecessor, Thomas Muller. He has developed his physicality, if you go by the tape, as prior to this season, he seemed to be easily brushed off the ball by defenders. In current form he is bossing other players and shrugs off contact with ease. A player of his style is rare, and I see him developing into one of, if not the best attacking midfielder in the game. He’s begun the new season with seven goals to pair with his four assists in all competitions. All of that in less than two months’ time, at only age 19 in one of the three biggest clubs in the world. From my perspective he, like fellow teammate Joshua Kimmich, will be around for a long time and become a mainstay in that Bayern team for years to come. He has already cemented his place in the German national team after he started a match against England lately, where he drew a penalty and had a productive 80 minutes positioned at a central attacking midfielder role. Truly a surprise considering Thomas Muller has been a staple attacking midfielder in that German team for more than a decade, but finally the new guard is stepping in. Hansi Flick clearly believes in the kid, and rightfully so, as his skillset seems to evolve and grow game after game. This past matchweek alone against Bayer Leverkusen, he contributed a goal and two assists, as well as having involvement in the other during a 4-0 beatdown of the second worst team in the Bundesliga. The kid is a Phenom and quite frankly makes me introspect and ponder what I should be accomplishing at age 19 myself. He is a wonderful player with bushels of potential that is waiting for fulfillment, and I am confident he will live up to his infinite talent.
Jude Bellingham
Arguably the most game ready player, he is still considered a young star, and rightfully so, when you remember he is only 19. I have watched him play sparingly, but he performs at an extremely high level when I do manage to catch him on the screen. In fact, it surprised me when England did not play him that much in their 2020 Euros, as at the time, I already viewed him as able to compete in that class. But now he has leveled up, and it is not audacious to name him within the top 15 midfielders in all of world football. Watching his technical ability on display is a treat; he carries the ball as if it was tied to a string on his ankle and frankly it looks silly when defenders challenge him. People seem to enjoy likening him mainly to Luka Modric, and I cautiously agree. Modric is a footballing legend and his accomplishments are unlikely to be matched by any player, but in terms of ability, Bellingham has the juice to achieve those heights. He has a somewhat slender frame, but it enables his agility. He is a little taller than most other midfielders, which plays into his flair for playing a creative pass across the field. He can get you the occasional goal, and he has the confidence to try from anywhere, yet does not throw away clear chances or the ball for that matter. This is another trait that strengthens the comparisons to Modric, and gives credence to the thought that he could be a once in a generation central midfielder. I am biased and would love to see him come to Real Madrid this upcoming summer as I think he is a shoo-in to replace a certain Croatian icon after retirement. However, I am not naive and understand he will likely thrive wherever he ends up given the talent he possesses and how much more time and room for improvement there is remaining. His recent performance in a fixture against Germany in the Nations League, ended with him receiving the player of the match award. His control in the midfield was a standout, in an England side that was anemic for all of the first half, and the penalty he drew in the second half was the go ahead score in a three-goal comeback after Germany had slotted two behind Nick Pope early in the second half. Ultimately a second Kai Havertz goal allowed the match to conclude in a draw, but there was no doubt that the best player on the pitch for the 90 minutes was the young kid from Stourbridge.
Kvicha Kvaratskhelia
A name I fail to pronounce even mentally, though if his stellar play continues it might become a household one. Kvaratskhelia is a left winger/attacking midfielder that Napoli bought over the summer for a bargain 11 million euro. He has been the catalyst of their undefeated start to Serie A, leading them to five victories and two draws behind his four goals and one assist in league play. A lot of times though, players that come from unproven backgrounds and unconventional leagues tend to be cast off as aberrations in play when they have spurts like this. Especially since he is not playing in a league like La Liga or the Premier League, where marketing these youngsters is much more essential. So across the media, this guy is virtually unspoken of, but the “Georgian Messi'' had an opportunity recently to showcase himself in a Champions League Group Stage match against Liverpool. He did not disappoint on prime-time television, as he tore through the Liverpool backline. He made Trent Alexander-Arnold look average, which is becoming all too common, but nonetheless Trent is still a top three right back in world football and is backed up by Virgil Van Djik, who himself got tossed around by Kvaratskhelia. Liverpool haven’t looked as dominant as they did for the last half decade, yet they are still formidable, so I would not diminish the level of this test for Napoli. And they handily outplayed the Reds in Naples in an effort driven by Kvaratskhelia for the entirety of the first half. I admit this is a player that has not been on my radar for years, as opposed to others on this list, but that should not prevent me from talking about his superb start to the season and a chance for me to get on the Kvicha train early in its trajectory. I am very enthused and eager to see how his season unfolds and will try to tune into many more Napoli fixtures as the season progresses.
Real Madrid's Quintet
Even as I put my bias aside, there is no question that this Real Madrid team can only be classified as a Super Team. Starting their new season off with a perfect 8 for 8 in all competitions, they suffocate the opposition solely with their presence. Even going back to last season, Vini Jr. had broken out with 21 goals and 16 assists across all competitions, a season that earned him a nomination on the Ballon D’or Ballot. He has all of the ingredients to become a perennial Ballon candidate, and the charisma to revolutionize the formerly very binary brand that is Real Madrid. Vini Jr. could be Madrid's version of Ronaldinho without being sac religious to Ronaldo. A towering figure that produces at a world class level consistently, he also brings joy with his play on the field. He creates space on the wing and his pace allows for quick separation on the break which has been Real Madrid's modus operandi for a majority of their 5 Champions Leagues in a decade. His finishing has also vastly improved in tandem with his decision making, the two catalysts that have propelled him into stardom. Him and Benzema have been on the same wavelength going on about a year, and I only see that connection improving further. The same goes for the rest of this squad, as they have been built with youth in mind with the concept of long-term cohesion being at the forefront.
Although Vinicius Jr. is currently Real Madrid’s prince that was promised, Fede Valverde has been the best player so far in this season. His four goals and two assists in all competitions have launched Real Madrid to their flawless start to this campaign. His motor never stops running and he is a Swiss army knife player that can play nearly everywhere on the pitch. He’s the apex of what a James Milner does for Liverpool, and he has yet to reach his zenith, as he is only twenty four, but leads like he has been a first team player for all of twenty seasons.
All of that success has been captured partly in absence of the team's premier star, Karim Benzema. His injury looked to be a big blow for “los Blancos” when he was subbed off just fifteen minutes before halftime against Celtic a few weeks ago, but young Brazilian sensation Rodrygo has shifted from the right wing into the number nine role and has not skipped a beat in his three matches up front. To me, he is the Real Madrid youngster that has made the largest leap. Only two seasons ago, Rodrygo did not look like the finished product, and similar to Vinicius his decision making was poor. He has exponentially improved, and surprisingly, I would say his ceiling could be higher than any other player in this all-star lineup. His game lacks weakness for someone who primarily attacks with his quick footwork and tight dribbling that can bail him out even in tight spaces. His situational knowledge will only grow with match experience as he continues to get in the side more and more often.
The three aforementioned are cornerstones and invaluable to the success of the team for years to come, but they cannot overshadow the two midfield maestros that sit behind them. Eduardo Camavinga was a key figure in Real’s quest for European glory last season, and there's an argument to be made he was very crucial as his ability to set a spark off the bench lent itself to inspire some of those magical comebacks that ultimately ended in a title. His work ethic leans to the defensive side, but he has the vision and technical ability to develop his playmaking. There are flashes of offensive brilliance when he shrugs off defenders, and even a memorable lob pass that Benzema played across the front post to Rodrygo against Manchester City. I look forward to his growth as he is still only 19 and consistently breaks into the best team in the world.
Even more surprising is how undroppable his compatriot Aurelian Tchouameni has become in his short time at the club. After arriving for 100 million euro from Monaco, there were understandably elevated expectations, and those only increased after Stallworth defensive midfielder Casemiro, was sold to Manchester United during the transfer window. Nevertheless, he has proved himself invaluable to this team's function, and he is the new glue that Casemiro used to serve as. Tchouameni does not exercise the same level of calculated enforcement defensively that Casemiro commonly used, but his box-to-box qualities make him a unicorn of sorts. He is towering on the field, and his natural strength allows him to impede opposition near and around his own eighteen-yard box. But his legs can let loose, and he is seamlessly able to ignite a counterattack from his own third in the blink of an eye. This is perfect, thanks to the plethora of speed he has to work with on the flanks in Vini and Rodrygo. I can say with confidence he has justified his price tag with his kickoff to the season, managing to break into the starting squad nearly every match; displaying his nerve, considering there are few 22 year old’s that could slide right into the reigning European champions side on day one. These five pieces of the puzzle should feature in this Madrid side for years to come, and hopefully contribute to more titles. The talent is present, and this refreshing strategy of building a squad with players that aren’t necessarily established at a world class level, will aid in their development as they will grow together over time in a cohesive squad.
Erling Haaland & Phil Foden
Arguably the best player in the world on current form, Erling Haaland has arrived. He has done so in a historic fashion, netting 17 goals and 3 assists in just 10 matches collectively, as of this past matchweek. He tallied his third hat-trick of the season in the Manchester Derby, and do not forget the pair of assists he also took home in a 6-3 thrashing of the Red Devils. This sort of goalscoring production is foreign to the Premier League, and had formerly been reserved to the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo when they battled head to head for annual Ballon d’Or awards during their prime. This kid is writing his own legacy though, and it is hard to see anyone inhibiting him from finding the goal going forward. The combination of brute strength and a knack for perfect positioning, make him unplayable. His knowledge in the 18-yard box has always been Haaland’s signature trait. At Borussia Dortmund he often scored from a close range by picking his spots and poking in good service. But after a 75 million Euro move in the summer to Manchester City, his game has flourished within a group that has a technically gifted player at every single position. I’d say that when your left back is able to consistently service you from 35 yards, with the outside of his boot, you will have success. At Dortmund, he played with great players, but it is quite a difference playing under Pep Guardiola and Marco Rose. For the last half decade, City have been the best team to watch in all of world football and it is not close. Every player has quality, and they play the right way; dominating possession from whistle to whistle and slowly, methodically, breaking down opponents. City have been the most presiding domestic team for a decade, and it has only become easier by adding what is the zenith of goal poaching to their squad. The tandem of constant service with a fox in the box that torques any limb he can to poke in a goal, is a scary sight to any opposition. The Norwegian reminds me so much of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with his elasticity and lack of fear anywhere near the goalposts. His never ceasing hunger for goals incites fear in opposing defenders that have to withstand an onslaught of crosses, through balls, and set pieces that often equate to scoring chances for the towering blonde. He even dons a similar man bun to the legendary Swede. And that sort of play has led Man City to their most potent offensive start to a domestic campaign in a few years, as prior to this season their main concern was an inability to take their chances effectively. That is a problem no more, as in current form they ooze of confidence in the final third and even on the television you can tell that the players expect to score in every attacking sequence. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden finally trust that as long as their service is on the money, the ball is certain to end up behind the keeper. And customary to every Pep team, the passes are more than often on target.
Speaking of, Foden in his own right has also been a special player in this team. He is my favorite young player to watch, mainly for his control on the ball. He holds the football on a string and he can shift gears quickly to get loose with a little run past a defender whenever he pleases. He has always been a goalscoring threat, yet his playmaking ability and timely decisions with the football are what have made him a staple in a Guardiola side at such a young age. He has really kicked it into gear to start this season though, and some of that can be attributed to the arrival of Haaland. The two get along very well, and I am certain the English midfielder feels a competitive yet healthy urge to match Haaland’s production in his own way. He has already logged 6 goals and 2 assists in all competitions, which is half as many he tallied last season in just a fourth the number of games. He is on a pace to break out and finally challenge his teammate De Bruyne and players of that stature, for a spot in Europe's upper echelon of midfielders. I am excited for his future; he is by far England’s most creative and talented player since Wayne Rooney which is no small feat. I cannot wait to see how this season and World Cup unfold for him, as I only see him growing into an even more phenomenal player under the Manager that oversaw Lionel Messi’s most productive years.
William Saliba
I thought it wrong to summarize a list of great young talents without including at least one defensive option. There are many honorable mentions on defense including Nuno Mendes, who has been fantastic for Paris Saint-Germain. Even a struggling Trent Alexander-Arnold still demands a level of respect when speaking of the best fullbacks in the world, young or seasoned. But at this moment, William Saliba has looked like a man amongst boys during his second season in the Premier League, after a yearlong loan in Ligue One where he received Young Player of the Year honors. He has been Arsenal’s untitled captain and his excellent play keeps them in every game. In 8 Premier League matches he is yet to allow an opponent dribble past him, and has won possession back more than any other player, with 71 ball recoveries, according to Squawka. They also mark him to have a 94% pass accuracy, with his two goals on the season just the icing on the cake. He’s not the sole reason Arsenal still top the Premier League, but I don’t see how you can refute that he's been the most important one. Even in dog fight matches, attackers will have more confidence to keep going for the decisive goal if they trust in their backline to do the job. I can assure you that Gabriel Jesus feels confident in taking more chances and playing a bit more liberally because he knows Saliba is there to back him up if the game shifts in momentum or possessions for a few sequences. Now that Mikel Arteta finally has his players playing a brand of football that is enjoyable to play and watch, Arsenal have become a real threat in possession. That is proven by how handily they beat a Tottenham squad that is respectable in their own right, this past weekend. Saliba was superb in defense, and it is impressive that a frontline of Kane, Son, and Richarlison failed to score from open play for 90 minutes against a defensive four that although great, does not have a lot of repetitions together prior to this season. The Frenchman has great pace with the ball too, so he can march up the pitch and take one from range, as he showed when he struck one first time from the edge of the box against Bournemouth to seal the match. I hope he continues to revel in success for his club, and I am optimistic that this run of form could force Didier Deschamps hand into giving the kid a chance at the upcoming World Cup. With his recent play, I find it hard to leave him off any iteration of a French National team, and I would love to see his great play continue on the world's stage in November.
This new generation of footballing stars is very promising, and their skillsets are of much more capacity than previous ones. It feels as though we are giving way to a new type of footballer, one that is asked to do much more than originally prompted in a former, more positionally rigid era of the sport. But that is the nature of all things, and this evolution is necessary and intriguing to watch unfold. I was unable to dive into every promising youngster, but some of the honorable mentions to keep an eye out include Rafael Leao who was fantastic in AC Milan’s run to a Scuddeto last year along with teammate Sandro Tonali who is primed to be Europe's next top defensive midfielder. Florian Wirtz has been a name that many scouts and pundits favor, but this season his team has had minimal success, so it’s possible a move could be in the works for next summer. And although Kylian Mbappe is still very young, his resume reads like that of someone who has been a professional for almost a decade, so I did not see merit in regurgitating everything that has already been said about the brilliant attacker. In all, I think we have been quite spoiled as football fans by the historic display that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have given us for almost two decades now, but I am confident that this next cohort of young players will give us an equal or greater level of excitement in the sport for years to follow. I am eager to see who can claim the crown as the standout of this next g
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