Federico Chiesa, Marcus Thuram and the other promising sons of famous fathers

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  • A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, so William Shakespeare once wrote. He obviously didn’t account for the sons of famous footballers.

    It is difficult to remember any player who has truly lived up to their father’s billing – but there are seven young prospects who are beginning to carve out a name for themselves in their own right.

    THE WEAHS
    GeorgeTimWeah

    George Weah: 
    Widely considered the best African player of all-time. Pacy, powerful and deadly in front of goal, he won the Ballon d’Or in 1995.
    Tim Weah: Grew up predominantly in the US before playing for his father’s old club, PSG. Still only 19, has recently signed for Lille in a 10m deal.

    Like father, like son?

    If Tim continues on his dad’s path, who knows – he may end up as the President of the United States.

    George, now 52 and Liberia’s head of state, was a new breed of striker back in the 1990s. Never had a forward married physicality with technical gifts, be it through dribbling, scoring or linking play, so successfully.

    His son is less tree trunk, more willowy at this stage of his career though his strength is deceptive. Blessed with the requisite pace and a deftness of touch to release others, there are certainly comparisons to be made, though he may end up as a wide forward in a 4-3-3 given modern trends.

    What he needs is game time. While he is beginning to establish himself for the USA, a loan at Celtic last season started well but minutes became fleeting. His move to Lille is exactly what he needs and it’s a tantalising one as well, with the prospect of linking up with fellow promising youngster Rafael Leao up top.

    Potential: 7.5/10

    THE HAGIS

    IanisGheorgheHagi

    Gheorghe Hagi: One of the greatest No.10s of his generation, there have been few better left-footed technicians. Played for both Real Madrid and Barcelona.

    Ianis Hagi: The 20-year-old, who can also play anywhere across the forward line, is still based in Romania but stole the limelight at this summer’s European Under-21 Championship with two goals in a run to the semis.
    Like father, like son?

    Gheorghe remained in Romania until he was 25 but Steaua Bucharest were a force to behold with him as their centrepiece in the late 1980s, while Ianis has already made one failed trip to a bigger European league.

    He’s no write-off though. After a Serie A baptism of fire with Fiorentina as a teenager that simply came too soon, Ianis got his head down upon his return to Viitorul Constanta and was rewarded with 14 goals from the 2018/19 campaign.

    While not as prolific as his father – and it’s doubtful he ever will be – Ianis bears hallmarks of Ghoerghe’s playmaking and dribbling ability, though his risk-taking with the ball veers between wasteful and wonderful.

    Sevilla are reportedly close to sealing an 8m deal for Hagi Jr, which gives him an opportunity to replace midfield creator and new PSG man Pablo Sarabia.

    Potential: 7/10

    THE CHIESAS

    EnricoFedericoChiesa

    Enrico Chiesa: Dynamic and prolific striker for Sampdoria, Fiorentina and Parma who was capable of the spectacular, but hampered by several injuries.

    Federico Chiesa: Tricky, jet-heeled attacker growing in stature with Fiorentina, and has already accrued 13 Italy caps at 21 years of age.

    Like father, like son?

    Enrico had to wait before showcasing his talent – it was only in his mid-20s that he could finally call Serie A home. In contrast, Federico has been wearing the famous La Viola with regularity in Italy’s top league since he was a teen.

    Where the father was quick, the son is on hyper-speed. Federico’s strike in the Euro Under-21s against Spain, in which he jinked past a defender before deceiving the keeper from a tight angle, was reminiscent of Enrico’s famous narrow-angle blast for Sampdoria against Juventus in 1995.

    The difference is you won’t often see Chiesa Jr blazing through the centre. He often ties defenders in knots but, just as frequently, confuses himself with mediocre end product. Six goals and three assists from more than 3,000 Serie A minutes last season doesn’t scream efficient, even if his highlights would make anyone’s personal reel.

    The 21-year-old is quite clearly a precocious talent, however, and there are rumours that Juventus and Liverpool very much agree.

    Potential: 8.5/10

    THE SIMEONES

    DiegoGiovanniSimeone

    Diego Simeone: The man they call El Cholo was a formidable foe for any opposing midfielder, snapping at heels for the likes of Atletico Madrid and Argentina over two decades.

    Giovanni Simeone: Versatile forward who has just completed his second season playing alongside Chiesa with Fiorentina. Scored his first goal with Argentina last year.

    Like father, like son?

    Looking past their different duties – yes. Both devour hard work, with Diego famously giving no quarter and Giovanni having pitched in with 43 successful tackles in Serie A last season despite his duties up top.

    Simeone Jr will never be the leader that Diego was and certainly not the wind-up merchant. He does have a similarly underappreciated finesse to his ability to bring others into the game. Sadly for Giovanni, that support was decidedly lacking in 2018/19.

    A lacklustre return of eight goals from 40 appearances in all competitions last season points to a wobbly wavelength between Chiesa and Simeone, though in sympathy to the latter, he is asked to be the lightning rod of the Fiorentina attack but is frequently isolated.

    That is why Sassuolo and Bologna, not Juventus and Napoli, are reportedly interested in recruiting him. A big year is coming up for a man turning 24 on July 5.

    Potential: 6.5/10

    THE KLUIVERTS

    PatrickJustinKluivert

    Patrick Kluivert: Famed Ajax academy product who won Champions League at 19 and went on to have a prolific career with Barcelona and the Netherlands.

    Justin Kluivert: Next generation academy product who moved to Roma last season, missing out on Ajax’s incredible run to the Champions League semi-finals.

    Like father, like son?

    The facial features are recognisable in Justin but that’s about it for any physical resemblance. Whereas Patrick was a big man – nonetheless filled top to toe with grace – his son stands at a diminutive 5ft 7in and is best off avoiding any shoulder-to-shoulder confrontations on the wings.

    In his formative years at Ajax physicality was not much of a problem in a free-flowing Eredivisie and the highest-scoring team in the league. The then 19-year-old scored an impressive 10 goals in 2017/18 but, given that the Dutch juggernauts crafted 89 in total, it’s not as if he was carrying a huge burden.

    Italy so far has certainly added a weight to his shoulders. At Roma he has found opposition defences cannier, far more structured and with a proclivity to sit back, meaning he can’t stretch his legs as often. Still, in a Serie A season of just 14 starts and 15 sub appearances, the 20-year-old bagged a solid six assists.

    His close control and dribbling is a real mark of his class and while right footed, he showed signs last year of being able to operate on the touchline and swing in a number of dangerous crosses from the left, too. There’s no need for Roma to be worried yet – at 18.75m, Kluivert remains a remarkable piece of business.

    Potential: 8/10

    THE THURAMS

    LilianMarcusThuram

    Lilian Thuram: Studious and supremely athletic defender who at one point could lay claim to being both the best centre-back and full-back in the world. World Cup winner for France and fine club career with Monaco, Parma, Juventus and Barcelona.

    Marcus Thuram: Emerging 21-year-old striker who hit nine Ligue 1 goals for Guingamp last season, despite the club finishing rock bottom.

    Like father, like son?

    Marcus is an even bigger man than his father, but he’s decided that defending is not for him. Measuring in at 6ft 2in, an inch above Thuram Sr, he puts his height to good use in the other half instead.

    He won three-and-a-half aerial duels per game in a Guingamp side that were floundering all season and some of that frustration clearly boiled over. He was red carded twice, once for a needless high boot – in contrast, his father was only sent off three times over the course of a near two-decade career.

    Thuram Jr flitted in between playing out on the left and through the centre last year and is a keen dribbler, though heavily favours his right foot.

    A player with real potential but a stepping stone is needed, which is why Borussia Monchengladbach has swept him up for €12m plus bonuses. The Bundesliga has a distinct French flavour at present and there’s arguably not a better place for him to continue his development.

    Potential: 7/10

    THE ZIDANES

    ZinedineLucaZidane

    Zinedine Zidane: Undoubtedly one of the finest midfielders to ever grace a pitch, won the lot in both club and international football.

    Luca Zidane: At present, Real Madrid’s third-choice keeper but has youth international caps for France and is only 21 years of age.

    Like father, like son?

    They could hardly be more different. Zidane, he of the pirouettes, perfect passes, poise and presence, was never going to have a once-in-a-generation player of his ilk as a son. The older brother, Enzo Fernandez, wisely dropped the name for football purposes and is plying his trade in Spain’s Segunda Division.

    So what did Luca do? Strap on some gloves and play with his hands.

    While his father has been associated with Real Madrid since Luca was three years of age, it’d be unfair to point the finger at nepotism. Luca is a fully-fledged France youth international and has trained at Real Madrid’s academy since he was six.

    What he really needs is a fresh break. Even if Keylor Navas departs this summer, 20-year-old Ukraine international Andriy Lunin should be the next in line behind Thibaut Courtois.

    He played twice for Real’s senior team last season but the spectre of his father as boss will loom over him for however long he’s there. It’s time to cut the apron strings, even if he has to do it himself.

    Potential: 5/10

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