And just like that, the 2018/19 season has drawn to a close at the club level, with Liverpool claiming their sixth European Cup after defeating Tottenham 2-0 in the last competitive game of the season.
As the South Americans prepare for the Copa America, Africa for AFCON while the rest of Europe gear up for Euro 2020 qualifiers, Portugal who face Switzerland, England clashing with Netherlands, have the UEFA Nations League semi-finals knocking at the door.
All teams – particularly the latter two – have named a young side and here we pick out some of the players under the age of 23 that you would want to keep an eye on.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (20) – England
Not many 20-year-olds can say they were heavily influential in overcoming a three-goal deficit against Barcelona in a Champions League semi-final and eventually won club football’s biggest prize.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s wide passing range, high work-rate and accurate crossing were crucial to Liverpool’s success this season.
European euphoria still very fresh in his mind, it will be interesting to see how the youngster performs in an England jersey. Should he maintain the momentum, England will have acquired an absolute gem who could play a key role in the next two games.
Alexander-Arnold will be up against a highly motivated Memphis Depay, who often prefers the wing route as he makes his way to the centre. The flying Dutchman has been in fine form for country of late and this battle could have a huge say in the grander scheme of things.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT (19) – Netherlands
Still just a teenager, Ajax wonder-kid Matthijs de Ligt shows the maturity, composure and leadership qualities of a veteran. It’s only normal that top European clubs are fighting for his signature, willing to shell out a mammoth amount in the process.
A key figure in the Oranje’s rise to glory after a woeful run post the 2014 World Cup, the Ajax skipper must replicate his club form, which saw the Dutch giants claim a domestic double and a run to the Champions League semi-final.
Fortunately for the Dutch, the best young centre-back in the world is partnered by the best centre-back period in Virgil van Dijk.
Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford are far from their best at the moment, but it would be unwise to dismiss them as threats. Besides, Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has enjoyed the best season of his career and could trouble the solid centre-back pairing.
JOAO FELIX (19) – Portugal
The latest addition to the long and rather cursed list labelled ‘Next Ronaldo’, Benfica forward Joao Felix is another both football fans and scouts will be watching closely.
From what he has displayed over the course of the season, the 19-year-old could just be the player to break the curse and successfully work his way to the top.
Versatility, ability to orchestrate coherent strings of play, great vision and the gift to play the perfectly weighted through-ball are just some of the arrows in Felix’s vast quiver.
He can play anywhere in the front-line but is most effective as a classic number 10 or a second striker. Keep an eye on his combination with Cristiano Ronaldo and how he provides for the Juventus star, should he make his senior international debut.
His performance in the Nations League could bump up his transfer value as both the Manchester clubs and Real Madrid attempt to add him to their ranks.
MANUEL AKANJI (23) – Switzerland
Tasked to stop the aforementioned deadly duo is Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji, the beating heart of the Swiss defence who will hope the Nations League can mend his broken ticker after the disappointment of missing out on the Bundesliga title.
Akanji was the standout defender for Lucien Favre. Indeed, it was no coincidence Dortmund’s downfall domestically and their collapse in the Champions League started taking shape between December and February when the Swiss international was sidelined through injury.
Akanji is press-resistant, great with the ball at his feet and boasts a healthy passing accuracy. He likes to play it short and safe, while helping maintain a neat defensive shape.
He has often been praised for his mature understanding of the game which has helped him perform at a high level even at such a young age.
JADON SANCHO (19) – England
Any list that contains the words ‘best’ and ‘young’ but does not speak about the prodigious Jadon Sancho is one that requires some serious revision. The Englishman has been one of the best players in Europe this season, regardless of age, and was the linchpin of Dortmund’s attack throughout 2018/19.
Sancho is technically gifted player with a wide range of abilities and a very high ceiling. With Rashford and Jesse Lingard enduring poor runs of form, it would be criminal to deny the versatile forward a starting role.
England will be up against one of the most solid centre-back pairings in the world but Sancho’s ability to step on the gas instantaneously and speed his way towards the opposition goal should provide them a good chance.
The Dortmund star is already an established name in the world of football, but this will be the first time he will encounter a sturdy defence while plying trades for England.
