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 seven 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 2016 – 21 years old and below for outfield players // 22 years old and below for goalkeepers]
Things are starting to heat up in Europe, as we’re about through with the first quarter of the season. While some leagues have seen surprises (Eredivisie being torn apart by Feyenoord), others have witnessed amazing competition (The Premier League). As always, we’ve watched with a keen interest to pick out the best youngsters.
Defence: Milan had a tough start to the week, as they lost their midweek game 3-0 after getting a man sent off. Donnurumma stakes his claim on this spot once again through his performance over the weekend. The Milan prodigy made 6 saves to keep a clean sheet and help his team to a 1-0 win.
Sticking to the Serie A theme, the right back spot is occupied by Roma’s Emerson. The Brazilian put in an all action performance, and despite his team’s failure to secure 3 points, he can be happy with his personal performance. He was influential going forward, and effective while defending as well. Spaletti demands high intensity performances from his full backs, and Emerson seems to fit the mould.
Retaining his place in the side is Niklas Sule. The defender got the winning goal and 3 points for his side, and was pretty effective playing from the back for Hoffenheim. Getting on the scoresheet is a major plus of course. His partner is Calum Chambers, of a resurgent Boro. Karanka has overseen a minor miracle at the Riverside, as his tweaks have allowed an out of form side to turn things around quickly. He didn’t feature against parent club Arsenal, but played a big part in helping his team keep another clean sheet in the win against Bournemouth.
Osasuna boy Berenguer is back on the team after a week’s hiatus. He’s earned his spot as well, having made 8 tackles to shore up the Osasuna defence in their counter attacking performance to earn a draw at Bilbao.
Midfield: At the heart of the midfield is Seko Fofana, a player at the heart of one of the better ‘traders’ in world football, Udinese. He had a great week, scoring a brace in the midweek win over Palermo, and putting in a sharp performance during the 2-2 draw over the weekend. Alongside him is Suat Serdar of Mainz. The 19 year old put in a fantastic defensive performance during the 2-0 win for his side. Ingolstadt struggled to threaten Mainz largely due to his efforts. 8 tackles and 6 interceptions in midfield really set the platform for the rest of his side.
Niklas Sule isn’t the only one who kept his place in the side, as the exciting winger Wylan Cyprien also managed to keep his spot. Nice coasted to a 4-1 win, and the youngster got himself on the scoresheet twice during the game. In the middle of the attacking trio was another brace scorer, Ricardo Horta of Braga. Rounding off this triumvirate and the perfect Benfica preparation for their big game against Porto next week is Goncalo Guedes. The highly rated youngster was a constant threat to Pacos, taking a total of 6 shots during the game, getting 2 on target, and 1 in the back of the net.
Striker: Leading this rather dangerous front line is Gaston Pereiro. The PSV forward was at his clinical best, scoring a good brace to get PSV 3 important points away at Vitesse. He started out the match on the right hand side of the attack, but managed to get himself into good goal scoring positions and seal the deal for PSV.
Talent Radar Team of the Week // Performance Rankings
