5 months ago
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ByGary Rose
BBC Sport journalist
Impressing successful 1 of Europe's biggest leagues is simply a beardown measurement to make a sanction for yourself arsenic a promising youngster - but location are plentifulness of breathtaking players coming done successful nan little heralded leagues too.
The CIES Football Observatory, a investigation group, has analysed nan information to compile a database , externalof nan highest-ranked players calved successful 2006 aliases later who play extracurricular of Europe's established apical 5 leagues (Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A).
Its methodology, external took successful information for aerial play, recovery, distribution, return connected - which intends dribbling nan shot astatine slightest 8 metres towards nan opponents' extremity - chance creation and finishing.
Here are nan apical 10 players judged by those metrics - prospects who could good go much recognisable names successful 2026.
Givairo Read - right-back, Feyenoord
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The Netherlands Under-21 international, aged 19, has been a regular for Dutch broadside Feyenoord complete nan past 2 seasons. Possessing awesome method and beingness ability, he is seen arsenic an breathtaking modern wing-back successful nan Jeremie Frimpong and Jurrien Timber mould.
Geovany Quenda - correct winger, Sporting
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Quenda is only 18 but is already closing successful connected 50 convention appearances for Sporting and his imaginable has caught nan oculus of Chelsea, who person agreed to motion him adjacent summer. Comfortable successful either nan wing-back aliases winger role, nan teen stands retired for his gait and dribbling ability.
Caleb Yirenkyi - midfielder, FC Nordsjaelland
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Yirenkyi is conscionable 19 but has already been capped 9 times by Ghana, specified is his promise. The midfielder has made 17 appearances successful nan Danish apical formation truthful acold this season. He is known for his versatility, having played astatine right-back for his nationalist team.
Rodrigo Mora - midfielder/winger, FC Porto
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The 18-year-old Portuguese midfielder has impressed complete nan past year. He scored and sewage an assistance connected his first commencement for Porto and astatine past summer's Club World Cup he became nan youngest-ever European goalscorer successful nan history of nan tourney erstwhile he recovered nan nett against Al-Ahly.
Kees Smit - midfielder, AZ Alkmaar
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Dutch midfielder Smit, 19, has reportedly attracted liking from Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid aft he was named subordinate of nan tourney astatine nan European Under-19 Championship successful Romania successful June.
Pedro Henrique - forward, FK Zenit
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Also known arsenic Pedrinho aliases Pedro, nan 19-year-old guardant possesses breathtaking close-control skills and exceptional assurance that has had galore observers suggesting he could beryllium nan adjacent Brazilian superstar.
Rayan Vitor - forward, Vasco da Gama
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Another breathtaking Brazilian teenager, nan 19-year-old forward, besides known arsenic conscionable Rayan, precocious helped his state triumph nan South American Under-20 Championship. He was besides named nan 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro's champion newcomer and vanished arsenic apical scorer successful nan 2025 Copa do Brasil pinch 5 goals.
Jorge Salinas - defender, Racing Santander
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Capable of playing either astatine centre-back aliases left-back, 18-year-old Spanish defender Salinas collapsed into nan Racing Santander first squad successful December 2024. He has made 13 appearances successful Spain’s 2nd tier truthful acold this season.
Joane Gadou - defender, RB Salzburg
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Gadou whitethorn only beryllium 18 but is already an imposing beingness astatine centre-back arsenic he stands astatine 6ft 5in tall. The France-born teen came done nan younker strategy astatine Paris St-Germain earlier joining RB Salzburg successful September 2024. He has played regularly some successful nan Austrian apical formation and Europa League this season.
Alvaro Montoro - midfielder, Botafogo
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The 18-year-old midfielder from Argentina is different subordinate that has been causing plentifulness of excitement successful South America. Montoro is capable to run good successful tight spaces and possesses fantabulous passing skills.
