A regular feature on our website is the Talent Radar Team of the Week with the best young players compiled into an XI from across Europe’s top six leagues. You can read this for all details on Talent Radar, who is eligible under it and what else we publish within this feature.
[Eligibility: As of 1st June 2015 – 21 years old and below for outfield players // 22 years old and below for goalkeepers]
Jan Oblak // Atletico Madrid // 22 // Goalkeeper: One of the best goalkeepers around today in all likelihood, Oblak once again stepped up on the grand stage against the best opposition to see his side through. A very solid performance against Barcelona saw his team go through. What was most impressive about that performance was the fact that he led his defence to a clean sheet as well, quite a rare feat against Barcelona. He followed it up with another one this weekend against Granada, as Atletico continued their fine form to move level on points with Barcelona.
Fabinho // Monaco // 22 // Right Back: Having the started the season very well, Fabinho seemed to fall away a bit in the middle, and as a result we didn’t see him appear in this segment too often. He’s on the road to recovery, as the performance against Marseille showed. Fabinho put in a terrific attacking performance, with 4 dribbles, and an assist thrown in as well. This is the sort of performance that Fabinho is capable of, and hopefully, more of what we see from him.
Jamal Lascelles // Newcastle United // 22 // Center Back: Newcastle picked up a much needed win on the occasion of Rafa Benitez’ 56th birthday to give them further hope in the battle for survival. Starting at the heart of the defence in this crunch fixture was 22-year-old Jamal Lascelles. The Englishman made his mark on the game with the opening goal, settling his team’s nerves. He also kept it steady for the rest of the match, as Newcastle managed to keep a clean sheet and their win.
Daniele Rugani // Juventus // 21 // Centre Back: The past weekend saw a comfortable win for Juventus against Palermo as they took a step towards another Serie A title. Daniele Rugani featured in the Juve back line and his role in ensuring the clean sheet sees him feature in our TOTW for the second week in a row. With 4 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3 clearances on the night, Rugani continues to impress.
Jetro Willems // PSV Eindhoven // 22 // Left Back: The Eredivisie title race looks to be the most exciting one in Europe especially in light of PSV catching up with Ajax last weekend. With all to play for PSV came away from the away game against Roda with a vital 3 points. Jetro Willems played an integral role as he set up the first goal of the game. As the title race goes down to the wire, Willems will be hoping to play his part in ensuring they finish as Champions.
Talent Radar Player Rankings 2015-16
Saul Niguez // Atletico Madrid // 21 // Right Winger: One of the discoveries of this season for Simeone, Niguez has come into his own of late. He put in a starring performance this weekend against Granada, picking up an assist and leading his side to the top of the table. 8 tackles to add to that assist make for a beastly performance. We saw some of the same in midweek, as he put in a beautiful curling cross for Griezmann to head home.
Emre Can // Liverpool // 22 // Central Midfielder: Liverpool rolled back the years to show us one of their famous European nights, as they managed to overcome Dortmund and the odds to pull off a stunning 4-3 win. Central to their win, and their midfield was former Bayern starlet, Emre Can. He put in an all round performance, picking up an assist, making 5 tackles, and pretty much covering every blade of grass on the ground. Can has really grown in prominence since Klopp has arrived. Not playing the midfielder at right back seems to have worked a charm for Klopp, and for the player too.
Delle Alli // Tottenham Hotspur // 20 // Central Midfielder: Delle Alli keeps his place in our TOTW after an eventful game against Stoke City. Spurs were in no mood to let Leicester City’s slip up go unpunished and registered 3 points courtesy a 4-0 win. Alli doubled Spurs’ lead with a delightful dink over the ‘keeper. He got his second in the dying minutes with a technically perfect volley finding the bottom corner. He should have had a hat-trick but we’ll let the incredible open goal miss go.
Sofiane Boufal // Lille // 22 // Left Winger: Boufal is one of the most talented young players in Ligue 1 which is saying something, considering the young talent on offer in the league. The 22-year-old displayed his credentials again this past weekend, scoring a great hattrick. Boufal is a talent we have followed regularly here, and it is good to see him in the headlines again.
Harry Kane // Tottenham Hotspur // 22 // Striker: There were murmurs of Harry Kane being a one kid wonder as he begun the season slowly. Such ideas seem foolhardy now as he’s spearheaded the title charge of an exciting Spurs side. Kane got the two other goals in their 4-0 win against Stoke with the first one a real beauty. Having been allowed to cut in-field, the 22-year-old unleashed an unerring drive that found the bottom corner. His second came on the counter as his headed clearance was followed by a swift transition and finally an easy finish.
Vincent Janssen // AZ Alkmaar // 21 // Striker: The top scorer of the Eredivisie cemented his position to an even greater degree this weekend, with a virtuoso performance that left PEC dead and buried. 4 goals more from Janssen along with an assist as well says all that needs to be said about him.
Read all our Talent Radar Team of the Week articles here
