Six of the Best: Teens looking to light up the Champions League

 

Erling Haaland (Salzburg) 

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Erling Haaland shot to prominence at the U20 World Cup over the summer, where he bagged nine goals in Norway’s 12-0 win over Honduras. Salzburg were lucky then that they had already tied the teenager down to a five-year deal last summer, with the Norwegian hitman joining at the turn of the year. 

 

In the wake of Munas Dabbur’s move to Sevilla, Haaland had the chance to consolidate a starting spot for the Austrian powerhouse and he has grabbed the opportunity with two hands. Indeed, the 19-year-old has netted 11 goals in seven T-Mobile Bundesliga appearances, failing to score in just the one. 

 

 

Salzburg take on Genk on home turf tonight and the Champions League will provide Haaland with yet another chance to prove his striking credentials to the watching world. Rapid over distance or in short bursts, his acceleration allows him to beat opposition defenders in the foot race and, comfortable with both his right or left foot, Haaland can be expected to take the competition by storm as Salzburg aim to progress from a tough group containing Napoli and Liverpool. 

 

Dominik Szoboszlai (Salzburg) 

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Haaland isn’t the only Salzburg star hoping to make an impact in the Champions League this season. Dominik Szoboszlai was linked with a move to Arsenal over the summer, albeit tentatively, having shone following his 2017 arrival from Videoton. The Hungarian hasn’t featured as prominently as Haaland, making just four league starts, but the free-kick specialist will hope to use the competition to further shoot to prominence. 

 

Arsenal aren’t the only side courting the 18-year-old, with Bayern Munich and Juventus also believed to be tracking the highly-rated midfielder and for good reason, with Szoboszlai boasting an eye for goal for distance. Capable in the middle or on the right or left, his versatility is an added bonus for a player who very much has the world at his feet. 

 

He could be a surprise package for a Salzburg side aiming to upset the odds and if they are allowed to dominate Genk tonight, the Belgian side will struggle to earn a positive result. 

 

Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) 

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The current top rated teenager in Europe’s top five leagues, with a WhoScored rating of 8.14, Jadon Sancho notched his fourth assist of the season as Borussia Dortmund romped to a 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen to respond excellently from their 3-1 loss to Union Berlin prior to the international break. To go with his four assists, the 19-year-old has two goals to his name and has had a direct hand in 46.2% of Dortmund’s Bundesliga goals this season. 

 

With the welcome of Barcelona looming, Sancho will be looking to transfer his excellent domestic form to the Champions League as Dortmund seek a first match day win over their toughest group opponents. Having failed to have a direct hand in just two of eight competitive outings for both club and country this season, Sancho comes into the clash with the LaLiga champions in fine form. 

 

Indeed, Dortmund are pining their hopes on Sancho shining in front of their fans to get their group stage campaign off to a winning start. If he churns out yet another excellent showing, then the Bundesliga side will be confident of prolonging Barcelona’s indifferent away form. 

 

Ansu Fati (Barcelona) 

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Sancho won’t be the only young winger looking to strut his stuff in one of the more intriguing Champions League groups. Ansu Fati became the youngest player in LaLiga history to both score and assist in the same match as Barcelona trounced Valencia 5-2 on Saturday night. Having netted his first league goal for the Blaugrana prior to the international break, Fati returned a WhoScored rating of 8.32 against Los Che at the weekend, that enough to secure a place in the team of the week. 

 

Six of the Best: Teens looking to light up the Champions League

 

The 16-year-old penned a new deal in the wake of Xavi Simons’ surprise summer move to PSG, with Barcelona keen to protect one of their young assets with Fati signing a three-year contract with a €100m release clause. Some may see it as a little OTT, but if Fati continues his rapid progression, then teams will begin to queue to pay that sum for a player whose stock will only continue to soar. 

 

That said, Fati’s shot to prominence has come about because Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez have endured their fair share of injury issues to kickstart the campaign. Messi and Suarez have been declared fit to start against Borussia Dortmund tonight and with Antoine Griezmann unlikely to be dropped, Fati may yet have to wait for his chance to strut his stuff on the Champions League. However, if handed minutes by Ernesto Valverde, it’ll do the teenager the world of good as he continues to develop. 

 

Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid) 

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Atletico Madrid’s 100% start to the season came to an abrupt end against Real Sociedad at the weekend as Diego Simeone’s side were humbled 2-0 at the Anoeta. The defeat marked Joao Felix’s worst league performance for Atletico, as he came away with a lowly WhoScored rating of 6.19 before his withdrawal on the hour mark.  

 

However, that showing was a blip on the record for Felix, who has scored one and assisted another to make a fine start to life in Spain. The 19-year-old is no stranger to European action and his experience in the competition will stand him in good stead as Atletico kick off their Champions League campaign against familiar opponents Juventus. The Old Lady knocked the mattress makers out of the competition in the knockout stages last year, so Atletico will be keen to exact revenge upon the Serie A side.

 

With compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo lining up for the opponents, Felix must be looking forward to facing off against his Portugal teammate and proving he is the heir to Ronaldo's throne for the national team.

 

Phil Foden (Manchester City)

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Phil Foden may not have been included in Manchester City’s Champions League squad to face Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night, but the England youth teamer remains a highly rated talent at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola has previously described him as the most talented youngster he has every worked with, which is some praise for Foden.

 

The 19-year-old may have registered just 10 minutes of league action this season, once again forced into a bit part role as the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva shine, but Foden will get his chance again to prove his worth to the defending Premier League champions. While that may not come in Ukraine this week, the teen will have his chances to continue his development over the coming months, particularly if City can secure their spot in the next round of the Champions League before the group stages come to a head.

 

For now, Foden needs to continue to work hard to be handed playing time by Guardiola, but as he showcased in the tail end of last season, particularly in City’s 1-0 win over Tottenham in April, the youngster is one who is prepared to shine when required.

Six of the Best: Teens looking to light up the Champions League