Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were set to have a Champions League last dance until the last-16 redraw separated the pre-eminent footballers of the last 15 years.
That a potential match-up between the two old stagers drew plenty of excitement perhaps showed the need for the new generation of talent to make their mark in European football’s biggest competition.
There is no shortage of quality coming through and with Premier League clubs increasingly prioritising the signing of stars yet to reach their peak rather than ready-made stars, there will be plenty of interested scouts in attendance when the last-16 gets underway.
Here are some of the standout Champions League youngsters who could soon be coming to a Premier League ground near you…
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Jonathan David
Position: Striker
Age: 22
Current club: Lille
Club/s linked to: Arsenal
Ice hockey might be Canada’s national sport, but their football (or should that be soccer) team is on the cusp of qualifying for a first World Cup since Mexico ’86.
Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies is Canada’s most high-profile star, but Lille striker Jonathan David is also making a name for himself in Europe with only Kylian Mbappe outscoring him in Ligue 1 this season.
David was linked to Arsenal in January as Mikel Arteta is yet to sign a centre forward despite Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s departure and uncertainty surrounding the futures of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.
As Dusan Vlahovic edged closer to a move to Juventus, Arsenal fans became captivated by the Canadian’s ability to find space and neatly finish with both feet. Arteta may hope that Chelsea can keep David quiet in the last-16 so as to detract other potential suitors for his signature.
Ryan Gravenberch
Position: Centre midfield
Age: 19
Club: Ajax
Club/s linked to: Man City and Liverpool
Ajax’s youth academy has been providing Europe’s biggest clubs with elite talent for decades now and with the likes of Ryan Gravenberch emerging the trend is not slowing.
The 19-year-old has been linked with Manchester City but Liverpool have also been credited with an interest as they seek to regenerate an ageing midfield – three players are aged 30 or over.
At 6ft 3in the Dutch international would be an ideal back-up or partner alongside Fabinho who has often suffered with injuries.
He is a calm and collected midfielder able to drive the ball upfield and find a pass that the likes of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and new signing Luis Diaz, would thrive off.
Gravenberch, who is out of contract this summer could be the start of Liverpool’s transition to a younger squad.
Darwin Nunez
Position: Striker
Age: 22
Club: Benfica
Club/s linked to: West Ham, Manchester United
Darwin Nunez has had regular playing time at Benfica since the 2019-20 season improving every year and currently has 16 goals and two assists in 17 league appearances this campaign.
A tall, powerful striker with an electric turn of pace, Nunez looks ready-made for Premier League football and was the subject of strong interest from West Ham in January.
The Hammers reportedly offered the Lisbon giants £50m plus a further £10m in add-ons for the 22-year-old on deadline day but saw their bid rejected. With Michail Antonio struggling for form, Nunez could have been an ideal recruit.
West Ham will no doubt face more competition for him in the summer. Manchester United have also been mentioned as admirers of the Uruguayan and may swoop for him with his compatriot Edinson Cavani set to leave this summer.
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Alessandro Bastoni
Position: Centre back
Age: 22
Club: Inter Milan
Club/s linked to: Tottenham
A left-footed centre-back who has been earmarked as a future successor to Giorgio Chiellini for the Italian national team.
Alessandro Bastoni is comfortable playing a high line and stepping up into midfield to regain and push the ball forward.
The 22-year-old has been tentatively linked with a move to Spurs which makes plenty of sense given the Antonio Conte connection and the club’s need to strengthen at centre back.
Bastoni started 33 Serie A matches last season as Conte led Inter to their first Serie A title in 11 years.
Pedro Goncalves
Position: Attacking midfielder/ winger
Age: 23
Club: Sporting Lisbon
Club’s linked to: Liverpool and Man United
The versatile Portuguese has maintained goal scoring form despite being played across the front three and as an attacking midfielder in his years with Sporting Lisbon.
In the group stage, Goncalves had six goal involvements in four appearances – including two goals and an assist against Borussia Dortmund.
Goncalves is renowned for his ability to drive forward with the ball and knit midfield and attack together.
The 23-year-old previously spent time with Wolves – between 2017-19 – but surprisingly, given his development since, never made an appearance for the first team.
That experience doesn’t seem to have deterred rival Premier League clubs, with Liverpool and Manchester United mooted as possible destinations.
Lautaro Martinez
Position: Striker
Age: 24
Club: Inter Milan
Club/s linked to: Arsenal and Tottenham
Lautaro Martinez was Romelu Lukaku’s partner in crime last year as they tore Serie A apart. Between them, they plundered 41 league goals.
Martinez often drops deep into midfield to open space with intricate passes, but he is also able to isolate defenders by feeding off through balls. He is not just a target man but also a creator.
In Lukaku’s famously controversial Sky Italia interview he said that he could “die on the pitch for him”, showing the connection Martinez is able to build with teammates.
Despite the Belgian leaving the Argentine’s good form has continued as he has 11 goals and two assists in Serie A.
He has been linked to several squads including Arsenal and Tottenham but his valuation of €80m (£67m) has kept him at the club.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/VUf7gzj
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