Monday 5 October 2015

Adama Traoré

Adama Traoré is a graduate of the Barcelona youth setup at La Masia that has produced players like Piqué, Alba, Iniesta, Messi, Fabregas and many more.

At 19 years old Adama has played two full seasons of professional football largely with Barcelona B. He scored 8 times in 68 appearances for the B team and he made 4 appearances for for Barcelona scoring 1 goal in the Spanish Cup.

Adama is not renowned for prolific scoring but he is excellent at creating chances. He's a winger that hugs the touchline and drives at full backs with speed, cutting inside using skill and drops of the shoulder to leave defenders in his rear view.

On 14 August 2015 Aston Villa signed the Spaniard on a five year deal for €10 million. However, Barcelona weren't willing to part ways with him completely yet and they inserted a buy- back clause in his contract which means Barcelona have the option to take him back after 3 years.

Villa fans should be excited about seeing Adama in the future. Villa manager Tim Sherwood said he is a dynamic player and there are not many like him in the Premier League.

So far he has come on as a substitute twice for the Midlands team and scored in their League Cup tie against Notts County.



Sunday 4 October 2015

Dele Alli

Dele Alli has become one of the most talented and exciting youngsters in English football.

At just 19 years old he has earned a call-up to Roy Hodgson's England squad. He has played for England at under 17,18,19 and with the under 21 team.

He made a name for himself at MK Dons in League One. He played a total of 88 games for The Dons scoring 24 goals. Last season was a breakout season for Alli as he scored 16 league goals and led MK Dons to automatic promotion to The Championship.

He signed a five-and-a half-year deal with Tottenham in February but only joined the team in the Summer. The Spurs faithful have already taken to Alli as they roared their approval when he came on as a substitute in their Capital One Cup game against Arsenal.

Alli is a box to box midfielder and he has already shown that he can get on the scoresheet on a regular basis. He is a tall and skinny looking player but he possesses great skill and control. He is fearless and direct and has shown great ability to show he belongs in the top flight.

Being a Liverpool fan growing up his favourite player was Steven Gerrard and you can see similarities in his play. Having made just 5 appearances for Tottenham so far Mauricio Pochettino is taking it step by step with the young midfielder but his impact on the field may mean he plays a big role for Spurs this season both in the Premier League and the Europa League.


Friday 2 October 2015

Paulo Dybala

During the Summer Juventus forked out €32 million to Palermo to gain the services of the 21 year old Argentinian, Paulo Dybala.

That is a lot of money to be paying for someone so young but when you look at Anthony Martial going to Manchester United for €48 million maybe it's not.

Before joining Juventus Dybala played four seasons of professional football in Argentina and in Italy with Palermo.

The 2014-15 season was a breakout season for Dybala. In 34 appearances for Palermo he netted 13 times and created 10 assists. During the last season he showcased his pace, dribbling, technical ability and his creativity to earn him a move to the Italian champions.

With Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo both leaving the club this Summer the Italian side will be hoping Dybala can come in and replace the creativity that left.

Since joining Juventus he has shown that he is capable of playing in any attacking position and has scored 2 goals in his first 5 games for the club.

Dybala is heading in the right direction and with continued success at Juventus the world may soon recognise him as one of the best and most exciting players in Europe.


Youri Tielemans

Youri Tielemans is widely regarded as one of Europe's biggest emerging talents.

Tielemans is the next potential Belgian star in what is already turning into a golden era for Belgian football with the likes of Vincent Kompany, Thibaut Courtouis, Eden Hazard and many more developing into superstars already.

Despite being just 18 years old Tielemans has already won Belgian young professional of the year on two occasions. He also holds the record for being the youngest Belgian footballer to play in the Champions League making his first appearance at the age of 16 years and 148 days.

An incredibly sure-footed player, Tielemans is confident and assured on the ball and would remind you of Bastian Schweinsteiger's playing style where the simple ball is almost always the best ball. And just like Schweinsteiger he can spray balls with his right or left foot across the pitch with ease.

The young midfielder is a box to box type of player with an ability to snuff out attacks by simply positioning himself well and applying the right amount of pressure. While on the other end of the pitch he picks his moments to join the attack and possesses composure in the final third.

In his first two seasons at Anderlecht he played in 87 games and scored 10 goals. This season he has started off on goalscoring form scoring 3 in the first 6 games.

As always with young hot prospects Tielemans has been linked to big European clubs but there is nothing but paper talk at the moment so the young starlet who extended his contract at the end of last season will remain at Anderlecht for the foreseeable future.