Talent Scout: European Wonderkids – Part 1

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The final part of our wonderkids scouting expedition takes place in Europe. This continent has perhaps produced more world-class players than any other. There are so many, in fact, that it is impossible to name them all right now.

Beckenbauer, Eusebio, Cruijff, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane, Puskas, Paolo Maldini, Wayne Rooney, Roberto Baggio, Lothar Mathaus, Michel Platini, and Van Basten, are just a small selection of Europe’s best-ever players.

Hopefully, some of the players identified in our scouting reports will go on to be world beaters. A lot will depend on the clubs they are at or the ones they move to next, potential is something that needs to be nurtured and moulded by the best coaches in order for a prospect to become a world-class player.

Here is a selection of young European prospects that have been dubbed wonderkids.

• Yusuf Demir – Dubbed the ‘Austrian Messi’ the young Rapid Vienna attacking midfielder possesses a sweet left-foot and the ability to beat players with ease.
• Ardy Mfundu – Schalke signed this gifted defender from Club Brugge where despite struggling with the language, he is settling in well at the German side.
• Dimo Krastev – This Bulgarian defensive midfielder can also play at centre-back. Krastev plays for Fiorentina where he is highly rated, and captains the Bulgaria U17s.
• Bartol Barisic – A prolific goal scorer that has been likened to Kramaric. Barisic scores all types of goals and has already featured for Dinamo Zagreb’s first team.
• Adam Karabec – The brightest prospect in Czech Republic, Karabec made his Sparta Prague debut aged just 16. The midfield playmaker has established himself in the first teams already.
• Maurits Kjaergaard – This Danish midfielder plies his trade at Red Bull Salzburg. The box-to-box midfielder has already featured for Denmark’s U20s.
• Samuel Iling-Junior – The former Chelsea youngster now plays for Juventus and is impressing in Turin. Samuel is a young, pacey winger that likes to attack.
• Amir Arli – The Dijon midfielder has already been linked with moves to Juventus, Valencia and Monaco. Arli has featured for Dijon’s first-team and is developing well.
• Florian Wirtz – Considered the next Kai Havertz, Bayer Leverkusen have a star midfielder on their hands. Wirtz became the youngster goal scorer in the Bundesliga last season.
• Isak Bergmann Johannesson – The Norrkoping midfielder is being tracked by Juventus and is considered a versatile midfielder that can play on either wing or centrally.
• Wilfried Gnonto – Plays for Zurich and was one of the stars of the U17 World Cup. The young striker has bags of pace and likes to run at defences.
• Naci Unuvar – From the Ajax academy, Unuvar is of Turkish decent and has already featured for the Dutch giant’s first-team.
• Odin Thiago Holm – This sort after Norwegian has already turned down moves to Liverpool and Juventus to stay at Valerenga and play for their first team.