{"id":1051342,"date":"2026-09-08T18:12:38","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T18:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1051342\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T18:12:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T18:12:38","slug":"the-10-young-players-to-watch-as-the-champions-league-returns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1051342\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 young players to watch as the Champions League returns"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Athletic has live coverage of all Champions League league phase matches\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

One hundred and one days have passed since Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal on penalties to retain their Champions League crown, with only a World Cup and a record-breaking transfer window to keep us entertained since.<\/p>\n

But Europe\u2019s elite competition returns on Tuesday with six group-phase fixtures \u2014 and 12 more before the end of the week \u2014 including four debutant teams and many of the players who lit up the summer with their performances on the international stage.<\/p>\n

With the expanded format, the Champions League has also given some of the continent\u2019s most promising young players a platform to shine. By now, we are a little more familiar with Lamine Yamal, Desire Doue, Nico Paz, so who are the next group of players \u2014 aged 23 or under \u2014 who will be vying for our attention?<\/p>\n

The Athletic\u2019s data and tactics team run through some of their favourite picks.<\/p>\n

Konstantinos Karetsas (18, attacking midfielder, Borussia Dortmund)<\/b><\/p>\n

Konstantinos Karetsas walked out in front of more than 80,000 people to make his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Dortmund in late August. Still just 18 years old, he took more shots (six), attempted more take-ons (six) and received more passes in the final third (27) than any other player on the pitch.<\/p>\n

A zippy attacking midfielder bursting with confidence and flair, Karetsas has wasted no time endearing himself to his new fans. He picked up 10 assists at Belgian side Genk last season, a constant buzz of energy across the width of the box, and he has already opened his creative account for Dortmund with a sharp one-two to set centre-forward Serhou Guirassy away.<\/p>\n

The young Greek is happy to take aim from distance, and strikes through the ball cleanly when he can chop inside onto his left foot. Here he is scoring for Greece with what you would already call his signature finish, a curling finish high into the far corner.<\/p>\n

\n

17 years and 124 days \ud83e\udd29<\/p>\n

Introducing Konstantinos Karetsas \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\uddf7#NationsLeague<\/a> | @EthnikiOmada<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/J2rO4hGdz9<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) March 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

As is to be expected with a player of his age, there will be flashes of brilliance and lapses of concentration in equal measure as Karetsas desperately tries to make things happen every time the ball comes his way. But his enthusiasm is infectious, and his speed and technical ability in tight spaces will certainly catch the eye.<\/p>\n

Victor Froholdt (20, central midfielder, Porto)<\/b><\/p>\n

Few young midfielders in world football are quite as all-action as Victor Froholdt.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to data from SkillCorner, only one player in Europe\u2019s top seven leagues \u2014 Lens\u2019 Adrien Thomasson \u2014 covered more distance per match last season, while he also ranked second for distance covered at high intensity (25km\/h or more).\u00a0<\/p>\n

As we can see from his off-ball movement pizza chart below, he is constantly darting in behind, attacking the box, underlapping, overlapping, pulling wide and getting forward to support attacks, while also happy to lead Francesco Farioli\u2019s aggressive high press. He is about as relentless a runner as you are likely to find.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Froholdt\u2019s intensity translates to strong duel-winning capabilities, while his engine allows him to play a box-to-box role that helps him to sweep home from crosses and cutbacks, scoring six goals in the Portuguese top flight last season. He won\u2019t control the tempo of games, averaging few successful passes in comparison to his positional peers, but he is technically sound and his dynamism helps Porto move through the thirds while keeping the out-of-possession shape secure.<\/p>\n

The 20-year-old will not be able to make his Champions League bow against Manchester City on Tuesday, ruled out with concussion. But in an era where athleticism is a prized asset in midfield, plenty will be keeping an eye on his progress.<\/p>\n

Pio Esposito (21, striker, Inter)<\/b><\/p>\n

Pio Esposito has the ideal blend of qualities for a modern centre-forward. Standing at 6ft 3in (190cm), he is a threat in the air, enjoys jostling with centre-backs to throw them off balance and can bring team-mates into play with his back to goal. Such qualities have helped him to break into the title-winning Inter side, where he has racked up eight Serie A goals since the start of last season.<\/p>\n

A good example can be seen below against Cagliari. Esposito controls a tough pass well, buys time and backheels it to Federico Dimarco, who shoots wide.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

The 21-year-old is instinctive in the box, knowing when to sprint, decelerate and stay static to attack crosses. Esposito\u2019s finishing can be wayward but his ability to constantly get into dangerous positions in the box bodes well for his future.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ninety-one per cent of his shots in Serie A last season came from inside the box, while only Pisa\u2019s Stefano Moreo managed more headed shots on target than his 11.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Esposito scored just two goals but generated 4.3xG in nine Champions League outings last season, a sign that he got into great positions. Finishing some of those chances will ensure a greater return.<\/p>\n

Martin Baturina (23, attacking midfielder, Como)<\/b><\/p>\n

Comparisons to legendary players gone by are rarely helpful for young players, but the early career path of Martin Baturina means a mention of Luka Modric is never far away.<\/p>\n

Much like Croatia\u2019s greatest player, Baturina established himself as an influential creative player at Dinamo Zagreb, making 165 appearances for the club before sealing a big-money move to one of Europe\u2019s top five leagues. His technical ability is clear to see \u2014 quick feet, composed under pressure, with an eye for a splitting pass \u2014 while he stands at exactly the same height (5ft 8in, 1.72m) as Modric, playing alongside him for Croatia this summer.<\/p>\n

Baturina is a more advanced midfielder, capable of starting out wide but preferring to drift into pockets of space between the lines. Since the start of last season, only two players in Serie A can better his rate of 2.1 open-play chances created per game, while he has made a ferocious start to the current campaign, scoring in consecutive away wins.<\/p>\n

This laser-like finish at Genoa at the weekend extended an impressive highlights reel; he skipped inside and smashed home at the near post against Arsenal in pre-season, while he came up with a thumping finish from the edge of the box against England at the World Cup.<\/p>\n

\n

Beautifully struck by Baturina \ud83e\udd29#GenoaComo<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Lxp7VBSRSe<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) September 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Como are playing some slick football under Cesc Fabregas, and while 21-year-old Nico Paz is still the shining star at the heart of every attack, Baturina has also clicked into a frightening gear.<\/p>\n

Ismaelo Ganiou (21, central defender, Lens)<\/b><\/p>\n

Lens continue to punch above their weight in Ligue 1, backing up their impressive second-place finish with a French Super Cup win over Paris Saint-Germain. Ismaelo Ganiou has been a revelation at the heart of defence.<\/p>\n

Following a short loan at second-tier side Annecy, the young defender was quickly integrated into the first team. He was sent off on his first start against Auxerre, but returned over a month later to score the winning goal against Strasbourg. From there, he made 20 consecutive starts in the league, a dependable presence both on the right side of Lens\u2019 back three or as the last-ditch defender in the middle.<\/p>\n

As we can see from the pizza chart below, Ganiou passes the ball forward well, while he poses a real threat at corners and set pieces. Compared to other centre-backs under the age of 23 across Europe, only three have averaged more defensive recoveries per 90, highlighting his ability to cover ground and sweep the space from a wide role, while alert for knockdowns and loose balls from a more physically challenging central role.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Ganiou\u2019s profile \u2014 progressive, versatile, strong \u2014 makes him an intriguing prospect, while his role in an underdog Champions League side should allow those traits to shine through.<\/p>\n

Pablo Barrios (23, central midfielder, Atletico Madrid)<\/b><\/p>\n

Barrios embodies the shift Atletico Madrid have undergone in recent times.<\/p>\n

Having relied on solid defensive foundations for much of their success under Diego Simeone, in the past few seasons they have played more expansive football. That has led to more responsibility falling on the midfield to progress play forward at pace while maintaining the mobility to cover against transitions.<\/p>\n

Barrios, who began his youth career on the white side of Madrid before joining Atletico and rising through the ranks, excels in those respects. The 23-year-old constantly finds ways to feed his attackers, no matter how organised the defence in front of him is.<\/p>\n

Only six central and\/or holding midfielders played more line-breaking passes within the attacking third than his 49 in La Liga last season. Only four broke the opposition\u2019s defensive line with a pass more often than his 34.<\/p>\n

An example of his ability to spot a pass is this assist for Antoine Griezmann against Sevilla.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Barrios is not reliant on his passing alone either. Per 90 minutes, he averaged 3.7 carries of 10 or more yards, a mark bettered by only four other players. Simeone has regularly deployed him as a wide midfielder on the right and Barrios has frequently delivered dangerous crosses for the towering Alexander Sorloth.<\/p>\n

Barrios\u2019 reading of the game can improve, while he can be caught in possession at times, but he is an exciting prospect who should take another step forward this season. <\/p>\n

Rodrigo Mora (19, right winger, Roma)<\/b><\/p>\n

With a coaching career spanning more than three decades, Gian Piero Gasperini has been around the block. So, when the Roma head coach refers to a player as an \u201cextraordinary talent\u201d, he probably knows what he is talking about.<\/p>\n

That was the label he bestowed on 19-year-old Portuguese playmaker Rodrigo Mora, who Roma signed from Porto for a reported \u20ac50million (\u00a343m, \u00a358m)<\/a> this summer in a club-record deal. As a diminutive 5ft 6in (168cm) playmaker, resplendent with a mop of long hair, comparisons with a young Lionel Messi are inevitable. And while Mora does not possess Messi\u2019s preternatural ability, the stylistic similarities hold true.<\/p>\n

Like the Argentinian, Mora drifts freely between the lines, demanding the ball from team-mates before driving purposefully at goal. His dribbling style, too, is full of jinks and feints rather than explosive speed. Typically, Mora will pick up the ball in the left channel and run at a defender, before slowing to a jog, then use his superb balance to burst past his flat-footed opponent on either side, like in this example against Fiorentina last month.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Despite his slight stature, Mora uses his low centre of gravity and core strength well to fend off robust challenges. SkillCorner data showed that, among all Primeira Liga midfielders last season, he ranked in the 98th percentile for progressive actions completed under intense pressure.<\/p>\n

The main question mark concerns his output, with Mora scoring just one league goal for Porto in 2025-26. That was partly a consequence of head coach Farioli using him in a midfield three rather than in his natural No 10 role, from which he had scored 10 goals the previous campaign. Now restored to a more advanced position at a new club, expect Mora to thrive in the Champions League.<\/p>\n

Zeno Debast (22, central defender, Sporting CP)<\/b><\/p>\n

Debast\u2019s rise has been rapid. He was part of Anderlecht\u2019s youth setup as recently as 2020 before making his league debut for the Belgian club\u2019s senior team aged just 18 in 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Under Vincent Kompany, Debast developed into a solid defender with an eye for a pass before moving to Sporting CP in 2024. In his two seasons in Portugal, the Belgium international has improved his passing as well as his ability to defend large spaces, often featuring as a right-sided centre-back in a back three.<\/p>\n

The 22-year-old likes to get touch-tight to attackers but is an adept reader of the game too, knowing when to hang back. Debast is a good one-on-one defender, never committing too much while having the pace to keep up with most wide players.<\/p>\n

On the ball, he likes to spray passes over the top or switch play to the opposite flank, while his stint as a wide defender has seen him develop a decent cross. Debast also has a powerful shot in his locker and scored with a clean long-range strike for Belgium against the USMNT in a March friendly.<\/p>\n

Sporting play some marquee opponents in the Champions League this season, including Barcelona and Manchester United at home and Manchester City away. Debast\u2019s defending and distribution will be crucial for them to pick up points from those teams.<\/p>\n

Ibrahim Mbaye (18, left winger, Aston Villa)<\/b><\/p>\n

Aged 18, and with just 14 league starts to his name, Ibrahim Mbaye has enormous scope for development. The glimpses he has shown in his fledgling career, though, suggest an immensely talented player ready to take another step after signing for Aston Villa from Paris Saint-Germain for \u00a355m this summer.<\/p>\n

Looking at his pizza chart from last season, Mbaye\u2019s low cross volume (five out of 99) but high link-up play (86 out of 99) suggest an inside forward who prefers to combine neatly with team-mates before attacking the box. He also boasts blistering speed, with SkillCorner rating his average peak velocity as the fifth-fastest in Ligue 1 last season.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

His devastating dribbling came to the fore in his cameo appearances for Senegal at the World Cup, with his consolation goal in their 3-1 group-stage defeat by France the highlight. Driving inside off the right, Mbaye bamboozled French left-back Theo Hernandez with a series of stepovers, skipped past him on the outside, before smashing an effort so powerful that goalkeeper Mike Maignan could not keep it out despite getting both hands to it.<\/p>\n

That made him the youngest African goalscorer in World Cup history. Mbaye has already taken remarkable strides so early in his career, and under Unai Emery, expect him to kick on further.<\/p>\n

Antonio Nusa (21, left winger, RB Leipzig)<\/b><\/p>\n

While Yan Diomande commanded the greater attention off their right flank, and ultimately a big-money move to Real Madrid, RB Leipzig had another explosive dribbler in Antonio Nusa on the opposite wing last season too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And thankfully for Leipzig head coach Martin Demichelis, Nusa remains at the club and will be expected to become their attacking talisman in the Champions League.<\/p>\n

Nusa\u2019s appetite for taking defenders on is well established, with only the departed Diomande attempting more dribbles per 90 in the Bundesliga last season. As his carry map below shows, he\u00a0is comfortable driving to the byline, but can be especially dangerous when cutting inside onto his favoured right foot. He showed that to devastating effect against Ivory Coast in the World Cup round of 32, curling an effort into the top corner from just outside the penalty area.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

The end product remains inconsistent, with four goals and three assists in the Bundesliga last season, and the Norwegian perhaps needs to temper his instinct to drive forward at every opportunity.<\/p>\n

But if it is an exhilarating winger you are after, one blessed with a bewildering repertoire of tricks and flicks, look no further than Nusa.<\/p>\n