Young Footballers 2022: This season saw a number of exciting talents showcase their skills and create a difference, leaving their mark on the game.
The 2022-23 football season saw plenty of young talent looking to work themselves up the ladder and create a place for themselves in their team squads.
Today, we look at certain top 5 young footballers in Europe’s top 5 leagues who created an impression and ensured their place in their team’s starting line-up.
Vinicius Junior
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Real Madrid and Brazil’s very own, Vinicius Junior enjoyed his best season across competitions in the recently concluded football season.
Apart from helping Real Madrid lift another La Liga title, he was named as Player of the season in their triumphant UEFA Champions League season.
The Brazilian scored in the final against Liverpool and also found the net 3 more times in the competition alongside 6 assists; walking away with this honour.
He scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists in the league to help Real Madrid win the title by 13 points.
While Benzema was at his best with his instinctive goal-scoring ability and attack; Junior led the way with his brilliance down the wings using his pace.
A combination left opposition defenders helpless as the French-Brazil duo strode their way through.
Ryan Gravenberch
Gravenberch played all 8 of Ajax’s UCL games this season making 376 passes at a completion rate of 88.8%.
He also took more shots than just 2 other team-mates for the club in the Champions League.
This was a primary reason Bayern Munich came calling for the mid-fielder in the transfer window after which the Netherlands player agreed a move to Allianz Arena.
📝 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐄: Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Ryan Gravenberch from Ajax on a 5-year deal. Fee around £21M.
(Source: @FCBayern) pic.twitter.com/0YJGlEoycx
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 13, 2022
Such consistency and quality were on show from Gravenberch that Bayern Munich couldn’t resist and finally captured their man.
Aurélien Tchouameni
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The 22-year-old Frenchman emerged as one of the brightest young talents in European football last season.
He enjoyed a superb campaign as Monaco secured Champions League qualification after finishing 3rd in the Ligue 1 table.
Tchouameni started 33 of the 35 matches played in the Ligue 1, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists.
No Monaco player produced more successful passes in the opposition half than Tchouameni, raising his profile as a creative young player.
Real Madrid managed to secure the services of the Frenchman in the current transfer window as he signed for them on a six-year deal for a reported €80M.
Bukayo Saka
Saka ended up as the team’s top scorer this season. However, he could not help his side qualify for the Champions League.
This would be a regret for Saka but as a player he grew leaps and bounds; putting away the early season heartbreak of the Euro final behind himself.
Bukayo used his skills, creativity and vision down the flanks, creating space for his teammates to help them find the back of the net.
Saka scored important goals against the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United proving he can step up against the big teams which helped his cause.
I’m so proud to win the @arsenal Player of The Season award again ! 🙏🏿
Thank you to all my Gooners for your constant support this year, this one is for you 🫶 pic.twitter.com/CGm3mdfpBd
— Bukayo Saka (@BukayoSaka87) June 8, 2022
Phil Foden
Phil Foden once again left his mark on the Premier League as he lifted Young Player of the Year award in successive seasons.
In 28 EPL matches, Foden scored 9 and provided 5 goals as City triumphed by a point to register their 4th EPL title in 5 seasons.
The youngster is definitely one of the best at the moment and is enjoying the time of his life at his home-grown club.
The pace, deftness, relentless energy and unmatched creativity keeps Foden ahead of the rest as he keeps exhibiting his qualities.
Apart from this, the English attacking player scored 3 goals in the Champions League as well which includes a delicious goal against Real Madrid.
Phil Foden wins the PFA Young Player of the Year award for the second straight year ✨ pic.twitter.com/U6p6ZrEGYa
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 9, 2022
