I provide tips as to which teams are particularly worth following in the 2021/22 season in Europe’s top five leagues.
Barcelona
The Catalan giants may be going through horrendous off-the-field issues. As Albert Einstein put it, however, in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. And, in the case of Barcelona, particularly for young players. Ronald Koeman has already used 12 under-23s so far this campaign, including last season’s revelation in Pedri, the fit-again Ansu Fati and the incredibly talented Gavi. Meanwhile, Sergiño Dest looks a guaranteed starter at full-back while Eric García, Ronald Araújo and Óscar Mingueza all compete for a starting berth at the heart of the defence. Add the likes of Nico González, Yusuf Demir, Riqui Puig and Álex Balde onto the list and Barça are definitely the La Liga young team to watch this term.
Bayer Leverkusen
Not necessarily Borussia Dortmund’s, but definitely Bayer Leverkusen’s starting line-up is full of youngsters at the start of the new Bundesliga campaign. Beginning at the back, summer signings Mitchel Bakker and Odilon Kossounou as well as last January arrival Jeremie Frimpong have all quickly established themselves in the first XI. Meanwhile, another new addition in Piero Hincapié has also already made his full German top-flight debut. Further up the pitch, Moussa Diaby has continued where he left off last campaign while fit-again Paulinho and one more summer signing in Amine Adli both provide competition for places in the forward positions. Oh, and I have not even mentioned the incredible Florian Wirtz (pictured above, source: Bayer 04 Leverkusen/Neil Baynes). Fancy a Bundesliga game involving lots of young players this season? Make sure it involves Leverkusen.
Norwich City
The Premier League remains the hardest competition for young players to break into. And while the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Crystal Palace all deserve a mention, it is the yo-yo side Norwich City who are the young team to watch in the English top-flight this term. As with Bayer Leverkusen, it starts at the back. Max Aarons is still an ever-present. Meanwhile, the on-loan duo of Ozan Kabak and Brandon Williams as well as Irish senior international Andrew Omobamidele all compete for places across the defensive line. In midfield, the superbly-skilful Billy Gilmour is picking up the necessary experience that will hopefully enable him to return and remain at Chelsea next season. Finally, in the last third of the pitch, another Republic of Ireland international Adam Idah, American Joshua Sargent and Greek hope for the future Christos Tzolis are all expected to provide support for veteran striker Teemu Pukki.
Rennes
Considering the nature of the French league system, you could easily make a similar list consisting of solely Ligue 1 teams. I have decided to go for Rennes, though, and it has nothing to do with the fact this club has just sold the supremely-talented Eduardo Camavinga to Real Madrid. Excluding the still just 18-year-old midfielder, coach Bruno Genesio has already fielded 11 under-23s this campaign, including eight teenagers. The Euro 2020 star Jérémy Doku, who has recently struggled for fitness, remains the biggest prospect within the side, although Ghanaian Kamaldeen Sulemana has also made an impressive start to life in one of Europe’s top five league competitions. At the back, another summer signing Loïc Badé as well as academy graduates Warmed Omari, Lorenz Assignon and last season’s regular Adrien Truffert all compete for places. In midfield, Lesley Ugochukwu has already made four Ligue 1 starts while Matthis Abline and Mathys Tel (the only player born in 2005 to make an appearance in one of Europe’s top five leagues so far this season) are particularly highly regarded. Watch out for a new Camavinga.
Spezia
Last year’s newly-promoted side were unlucky not to get a mention at the start of the 2020/21 season, having eventually used nine under-23s over the course of the campaign. Now coached by ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta, the tendency has remained. Bulgarian centre back Petko Hristov is a regular starter while the left-footed Janis Antiste has scored his first goal after a summer move from Toulouse, winning a starting berth up front or out wide. Moreover, on-loan duo of Ebrima Colley and Eddie Salcedo as well as an international trio of Israel senior international Suf Podgoreanu, Slovak striker David Strelec and Sweden under-21 international Aimar Sher all provide competition for places for a Serie A young team to watch this time around.
BREAKTHROUGH 