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Luis Miguel Echegaray, ESPN
The domestic European soccer seasons are back, so it’s the ideal opportunity to provide a list of up-and-comers from the top leagues. From somewhat familiar names who have waited patiently for their big moments to young players ready to make their mark in a new environment, here are Luis Miguel Echegaray’s 10 breakout players for the 2024-25 season.
Just like in life, this game is about chances. Let’s see if these names can grab theirs with conviction.
Age: 22
Position: Forward
Club: Manchester United
Country: Ivory Coast
Stat to know: He created two goal-scoring chances and completed two one-vs.-one dribbles per 90 minutes in the 2023-24 Premier League season. The only other players with 350-plus minutes to meet those marks last season were Luis Díaz, Leon Bailey, Eberechi Eze, Jérémy Doku, Pedro Neto, Michael Olise and Luis Sinisterra.
Why he’ll break out: Since arriving for €21m (plus another €20m in add-ons) after just 24 minutes of action four years ago from Atalanta, the 22-year-old Ivorian has been patient with Man United’s plans toward making him a first-team regular. There were two loans with Rangers and Sunderland (where he ended as the club’s top scorer in the 2022-2023 season) before a knee injury impeded his process last summer after returning to his parent club. At that time, it wasn’t fully certain whether Erik ten Hag would keep the talented youngster, especially because there was a lot of competition on the flanks.
However, after last season’s issues with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony, coupled with his return last December, Diallo showed why he deserves a shout and demonstrated glimpses of his worth in the final matches of the 2023-24 campaign. This summer, he lit up in preseason and manager Ten Hag has integrated him into his plans. After starting in the Community Shield, Diallo also started in the season opener against Fulham, and he was very effective, driving toward the box with intent and almost earning a penalty for his side.
He is a very versatile player, able to play anywhere across the attacking line behind the striker, which should be very valuable for Ten Hag, especially in a system that requires quick decision-making on the counter.
“The manager believes a lot in young players, and I hope this season he will give me a lot of game time, but it’s for me to prove myself in training and to start in the team,” Diallo said during Man United’s tour in the U.S. And he has also been getting advice from his compatriot and Ivorian legend Yaya Toure, whom he met on vacation in the Maldives.
“What is said is a secret,” said Diallo. “He gave me some advice for the season, so let’s see what happens.”
I believe this is a key season for him, but he must remain effective as a starter for longer periods of matches — especially after the hour mark — as Ten Hag won’t hesitate to change things around in the latter stages of matches.
1:05
Can Zirkzee be a reliable goal scorer for Manchester United?
Julien Laurens discusses Joshua Zirkee’s impact for Manchester United after his debut goal.
Age: 22
Position: Forward
Club: Aston Villa
Country: England
Stat to know: In 18 appearances across all top-flight English competitions last season (2023-24 Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup), Rogers scored eight goals and provided three assists. Among 203 players with at least 25 shots attempted in English top-flight competitions last season, Rogers’ conversion rate of 29.6% (eight goals from 27 shots), only Jean-Philippe Mateta (36.5%; 19 goals from 52 shots) had a better conversion rate.
Why he’ll break out: When Rogers arrived at Aston Villa from Middlesbrough this past February, there was some apprehension from certain pockets of Villa’s fan base. Was it the necessary acquisition? Given the fact that the club’s offensive options were plentiful, as opposed to other positions that were — at that time — more in need. Also, would the young attacker be able to keep up with Unai Emery’s disciplined demand and Villa’s trajectory, as well as adjust quickly from the Championship to the Premier League?
In less than two months, those doubts were erased as the young attacker quickly adapted to Villa’s tactics and showed glimpses of his tremendous talent. In April, Rogers had scored in each of his past three appearances at Villa Park, showing the wide range of his repertoire from quick footwork inside the box against Brentford, to cutting inside from the left against Bournemouth, to an instinctive finish over Chelsea.
This summer, Emery has been testing him in more central areas as a striker, and it’s mainly because his speed and good finishing can act as another threat behind defensive lines, thus alleviating Ollie Watkins’s responsibilities.
This season could be the opportunity for Rogers to truly make a name for himself and while he has represented England at every youth level since U-15s, he has a great chance of earning his first senior call-up, no matter who comes in as the new manager. Oh, and let’s set the record straight. Cole Palmer’s “cold” celebration? He borrowed it from Rogers.
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Club: Brighton & Hove Albion
Country: Gambia
Stat to know: He scored 10 goals and provided five assists in the Eredivisie last season. His 1,462 minutes played were the fewest among the 19 players with at least 15 goal contributions, and his 0.92 goal contributions per 90 minutes ranked sixth in the Eredivisie last season.
Why he’ll break out: Back in June, when Newcastle United let Yankuba Minteh move to Brighton for £30m, it was clear that this was a forced decision as Eddie Howe’s side needed to raise funds to avoid issues with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Regulations.
As a result, Brighton took advantage and now have a playmaker on the wing at their disposal. Let’s remember something, too: Brighton do not spend more than £30m unless they think they have to, so there’s reason to believe he will deliver. Minteh, who spent last season on loan at runners-up Feyenoord and scored 10 league goals in 37 appearances in all competitions, is an electric wideman, able to use his speed on the right wing to create havoc. But it’s not just his speed; his movement is also unpredictable for the opposition.
Against Everton, the Gambia international delivered his first assist for the club with a great run and cross for Kaoru Mitoma that was too much for Vitaliy Mykolenko. He had to come off just before the break due to a collision with the aforementioned Mykolenko, and he was not happy about it, but Brighton’s new manager Fabian Hürzeler was impressed by his efforts.
“He made a great impact, but I judge my offensive players on how they work against the ball. They did quite good today. They all have the quality to score, and Minteh is very dangerous in transition,” he said after the game. “You saw it already in preseason, you see it every day in training. If you work hard, if you try to improve, you try to win the day and be the best you can every day, then it will pay off. It’s not like I was surprised he had this performance because I saw it in preseason, and that is just the confirmation.”
Hürzeler’s tactics are less patient in possession and more focused on direct approaches where the aim is to be fluid, to go wide and hit the opponent with pace and aggression when they’re vulnerable. This is music to Minteh’s ears, as he will surely look to make an explosive debut season in the Premier League.
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Club: Ipswich Town
Country: Jamaica
Stat to know: On loan from Chelsea, he was one of 12 players in the Championship last season with 15 goal contributions (10 goals, five assists) and 50 successful one-vs.-ones.
Why he’ll break out: Despite the loss to Liverpool on the opening weekend, I believe Ipswich Town will avoid relegation. Mainly it’s because of Kieran McKenna, the highly regarded 38-year-old manager with an eye for adaptability and disciplined creativity wanted by many top clubs before he signed a new deal. But the other reason for my faith in Ipswich is the talent at their disposal, and the 20-year-old Hutchinson is one main example.
Against Liverpool, Hutchinson had a great chance to open the scoring after a fine run, but he didn’t have the clinical finish. And that’s going to be his major piece of homework. Once he gets there, though, he will be a big player as his pressing, touch and vision are excellent.
Born in England, the attacker has represented the Three Lions at youth level but has also been capped by Jamaica in the past as his father was born in the Caribbean nation (his mother is from Dominica). Last season, he opted out of any international competition to focus on Ipswich’s chances of promotion. And this summer he left Chelsea to join McKenna’s side on a permanent deal. Hutchinson suits McKenna’s system perfectly because he is a winger disguised as a No. 10 and his manager likes to use his creative players out wide. At 20, there’s so much more to come, but I think his future is in great hands.
Age: 17
Position: Midfielder
Club: Arsenal
Country: England
Stat to know: On Sept. 21, 2022, he became the youngest player in Premier League history to make an appearance in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Brentford.
Why he’ll break out: Born in Enfield to Nigerian parents, Nwaneri joined Arsenal’s academy when he was 9, and five years later he was part of their U18s. The development continued as Arsenal’s academy placed him above his age group and eventually took him to the U21 squad for the 2022-23 season. A few weeks later, Mikel Arteta put him in the first team against Brentford and he became the Premier League’s youngest-ever player at 15 years and 181 days when he replaced Fábio Vieira.
Fast forward to this season and, after impressing in the summer during Arsenal’s U.S. tour, Nwaneri was on the bench in Arsenal’s opening victory against Wolves. As an attacking midfielder, he has multiple attributes: he is excellent on the ball and loves to drive forward, as well as provide key passes. Due to the club’s midfield depth — especially with Mikel Merino’s pending arrival — I would imagine that his success this season will depend on how far Arsenal progress in cup competitions, with the hope that Arteta makes the most of Nwaneri’s talent there.
0:49
Arteta: Arsenal showing willingness for another title challenge
Mikel Arteta speaks after Arsenal’s opening Premier League win against Wolves.
Age: 17
Position: Midfielder
Club: Barcelona
Country: Spain
Stat to know: He played with Spain at 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup and at 2024 European U-17 Championship. He also had a 100% passing accuracy in the summer friendly against Real Madrid.
Why he’ll break out: Despite their financial issues and inconsistencies with leadership in recent years, Barcelona have always been able to rely on their La Masia academy. As Lamine Yamal and Fermín López showed this summer at the Euros and Olympics respectively, the club continue to produce incredible talent that has saved the first team from falling into oblivion.
This season, under new manager Hansi Flick, it’s central midfield that is in need due to injuries. Gavi and Frenkie de Jong remain unavailable, while Pedri only recently returned from injury, so the starting responsibilities have been placed on 20-year-old Marc Casadó and his partner in crime: the 17-year-old Bernal.
Let me stress this without hyperbole: The similarities to Sergio Busquets are pretty remarkable. At 6-foot-3, Bernal is an inch taller, but his style is so similar to the Barça and Spain legend. Simplicity is the key to his game, as the teenager moves the ball with so much ease and maturity, but he also likes to get forward, too. When it comes to consistency and a player who can maintain the club’s tradition of possession-based control, Barcelona should look no further than this magnificent talent.
Age: 24
Position: Forward
Club: Athletic Club
Country: Spain
Stat to know: He averaged 0.65 goal contributions per 90 minutes in the Portuguese top flight in 2023-24, ranked ninth among players with at least 1,800 minutes played.
Why he’ll break out: Djaló is one of the best additions to LaLiga this season. Athletic Club made a deal with Portuguese side SC Braga for approximately €15m in March, anticipating the summer departure of the highly sought after Nico Williams, but now they might get to see the best of both.
Djaló was born in Spain to Bissau-Guinean parents and started his youth career in Basque country, hence his eligibility to represent Athletic. He plays the same position as Williams — on the left side of an attacking line — but is also very happy as a striker, or on the right wing. It’s a bit unfair to call this his “breakout” season as he already showed his impact with Braga where he scored 16 goals in all competitions, including five in the Champions League. But LaLiga is different and Athletic, who came fifth last season, have ambitions to finally earn a Champions League spot for the first time in a decade.
Djaló was injured in the preseason friendly against Aston Villa and missed the opener against Getafe but should return later this month.
Age: 19
Position: Defender
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Country: France
Stat to know: He won 65% of his duels in Bundesliga last season, the best success rate by any teenage outfield player.
Why he’ll break out: It’s been a busy summer for Belocian’s parents, who still live in Guadeloupe, where his family is from. First, they were in Paris to support Jeanuel’s older brother, Wilhelm, who took part at the Olympics in Paris and made it to the semifinals of the 110m hurdles. Then, this month will see them relocate to Germany for a few months to help their youngest settle after signing for the German champions from Ligue 1’s Rennes for more than €15m.
Belocian is a very smart centre-back with unbelievable athleticism and a dominating left foot, whose strengths lie in tackling, delivery and anticipation. These are all characteristics that remind me of a young David Alaba. He might be only 19, but he played 23 matches for Rennes last season and ranked extremely high in tackles and progressive passes.
Now he enters the school of Xabi Alonso, with a golden opportunity to become a strong piece of this excellent Leverkusen squad. He started in the club’s German Super Cup win over Stuttgart and was used higher up the pitch on the left side. Alonso loves his versatility, and this attribute will be Belocian’s biggest strength.
1:55
Bayer Leverkusen vs. VfB Stuttgart – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Bayer Leverkusen vs. VfB Stuttgart, 08/17/2024
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
Country: Denmark
Stat to know: He scored the winning goal for Denmark U-19 against France U-19 in November 2023 in European Championship qualifying play.
Why he’ll break out: Just what exactly are they feeding the Højlund family? The father, Anders Højlund, played in the lower leagues of Danish football. The mother, Kirsten Winther, was a former sprinter before joining the military. And their children are all professional players: the oldest brother, Rasmus (21), is looking for a big second season at Manchester United once he returns from injury, while fellow attacker Emil (19) recently joined FC Schalke 04 in Bundesliga 2.
But my focus is on Emil’s twin, Oscar, who will begin a new chapter with Eintracht Frankfurt after a strong 2023-24 campaign with FC Copenhagen, which included six appearances in the Champions League. I think this could be a promising move for Højlund, a box-to-box midfielder with great vision and ability to get out of dangerous situations. He has a chance to blossom under manager Dino Toppmöller and learn from the veteran World Cup champion Mario Gotze. Watch out for this tenacious Dane, who will surely make the most out of Bundesliga’s technical environment, which often allows young players to flourish.
Age: 21
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Parma
Country: Japan
Stat to know: He has already won the AFC Champions League, Emperor’s Cup and Japanese Super Cup in his young career.
Last summer, Manchester United offered Suzuki the role of backup goalkeeper after agreeing a deal with Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds, but the stopper, who was 20 at the time, rejected the move in favor of more chances of first-team football. As a result, Suzuki stayed on loan with Belgian club Sint-Truidense VV, thus earning more experience in Europe, before moving to Parma this summer.
Born in the U.S. to a Ghanaian-American father and a Japanese mother, Suzuki’s family relocated to Japan when he was a child. When he was 16, he became the youngest player in Urawa’s history to sign a professional contract and made his J1 debut at 18. He has already represented the Japan national team at various youth levels, as well as the senior side, making his first appearance two years ago.
As American-owned Parma return to Serie A after three years in the second division, Suzuki enters a pivotal time for his development, and if things continue to work in his favor, he will become the No. 1 for Japan in the future. In his debut for Parma, Suzuki made some key long-range saves as they drew 1-1 with Fiorentina. He also started the sequence that opened the scoring for the home side and was excellent throughout. He could do little about the goal he conceded as it was a tremendous free kick from outside the box.
He is also very smart. It hadn’t been a week since arriving at Parma before he decided to do his first news conference in Italian.
Age: 17
Position: Forward
Club: AS Monaco
Country: France
Stat to know: He scored the winning goal for Royal Antwerp against Barcelona in 92nd minute in the 2023-24 UCL season, which gave the Belgian club their first-ever UCL victory.
Why he’ll break out: I am not a fan of hype; it is a fragile, thin-iced floor where football’s unpredictable nature disrupts a player’s plans. Having said that, it is difficult for me to not get excited about this young man. Ilenikhena is a true talent and AS Monaco know it, that’s why they spent more than €25m to sign the Nigerian-born teenager who moved to France when he was three.
Ilenikhena started his professional career at Amiens in France before leaving for Antwerp last summer. In one season, the centre-forward scored 14 goals in 50 matches, including a historic one in the Champions League. His dominant left foot is not his only skill as Ilenikhena is also good in the air, quick and clinical in front of goal. It’s amazing to think that he started his youth career as a goalkeeper.
At only 17, there is obviously still a lot to do for him to follow in the footsteps of his role model, Erling Haaland. But he has all the tools to shine and, now that he’s back in France, he has the opportunity to learn and play alongside certain teammates who can compliment his style such as Breel Embolo and USMNT international Folarin Balogun.
“I get along very well with Breel and Balo’. They are two very good guys who help me on a daily basis,” Ilenikhena said after the club’s opening league win against St Etienne. “They advise me and explain to me what they were already doing last season, so that I can acclimatize quickly.”