As we are reaching the closing stages of the EURO 2024, which has helped us to prove that talent can be found everywhere and that it is also widely spread across Europe, even around the world, as this year’s tournament has seen a goal from an European player currently playing in the MLS for the first time ever. With that in mind, it is finally the perfect time to write about those players who were largely unknown before the tournament and who have caught our eyes and the world’s in this last four weeks. They may not be the most promising, young footballers out there but they could be taking their next step soon thanks to their most recent performances and it would be ideal to get to know them a little bit more.
We will go from back to front, so let’s bring in the standout unsung goalkeeper of the tournament:
Jindrich Stanek – 1996 (28) – Slavia Praha – Value around 1.4M
The Czech Republic international has shown during this tournament that he can stop an awful number of opportunities, as he has faced the 5th most xG on target per game but also prevented a fairly good amount of goals. In fact, he’s the goalkeeper with the most (0.76 goals prevented per game). As a result, opponents have needed to generate an average of 2.04 xG before scoring past Stanek. After an overall pretty disappointed performance by his team-mates, shot-stopper Stanek can held his head up high. He still has three more years left on his Slavia Praha contract but given his performances and his age, still young for a goalkeeper, he could be an affordable option for some clubs in bigger leagues.
¿Does anyone a high-volume defender to protect the box?
Jaka Bijol – 1999 (25) – Udinese – Value around 10M
Centre-back Jaka Bijol was prolific in defending his team’s own box as little Slovenia fought his way into EURO 2024 round of sixteen, where they narrowly lost on penalties to Portugal after a disciplined performance. Bijol shined in a defensive triangle formed by his counterpart Vanja Drkusic and goalkeeper Jan Oblak. At Udinese last season, he won 3.22 aerials per game (14th most in Europe’s top five leagues compared with other centre-backs), which lead to him having a 75.5% of aerial wins. While he hasn’t impressed with his on-ball qualities, lower teams in the top leagues could do well with a box defender like Bijol, who’s reportedly gaining some admiration from other clubs.
We’ve chosen just one full back. If you think it won’t be enough, just wait until you find out who we are talking about:
Ferdi Kadioglu – 1999 (24) – Fenerbahce – Value around 21M
This Holland-born left-back never stops. He does not. Turkey boasts some talented players, but none of them have shown Kadioglu’s levels of resilience and determination in driving his team forward: he completed 19.2 ball progression actions per 90′, most of them coming via progressive carries (2nd most with 5.58 per 90′). Although he’s a pretty solid one v one defender, his defensive contribution is limited given he’s not the tallest (174 cm) nor the strongest of defenders. However, he makes it up with a huge attacking output. If we compare Kadioglu to all of Superlig’s full-backs and wing-backs, he created the 2nd-most chances created from open play, completed the most passes into the box from open play, generated the most xA from open play, took part in the 2nd-most shot-ending sequences and we could go on and on. He’s fast, possess quick feet and knows a thing or two about dribbling and he hasn’t even lost the ball a tiny bit. Surely, his EURO performances won’t go unnoticed to Europe’s top teams.
After all the madness Kadioglu brought us to, we may need some calm, passing midfielder that can cover space and deal with the ball distribution:
Giorgi Kochorashvili – 1999 (25) – Levante UD – Value around 1M
Despite enjoying a season with limited minutes for Levante, playing just a 34% of the time, Kocho has been one of Georgia brightest sparks, preparing the field and lurking the ball for Mikautadze and Kvaratskhelia to run away with it. While he’s not a technical player, rather an industrious one, his percentage of passes completed and his ball-progression numbers are fine and he has delivered a good amount of them into the final third. There has been some evolution in his game compared to last season. He experienced drop off a bit in terms of attacking output (Castellón was one of the best teams in Spain’s third tier) but nonetheless he has become more secure with the ball and more effective defensively.
Let’s focus on what matters, or on what people thinks that solely matters, goals, goals, goals:
Lukas Haraslin – 1996 (28) – Sparta Prague – Value around 5.5M
Put it simple: Haraslin is a Bratislava-born wide forward who scores goals. And he does it quit a lot. Last season in the Czech Fortuna Liga he generated 7.8 xG, which turned out to be 11.6 xGOT. He found good positions and generated even better shots. We can confidently say shots improve after coming out of his boots. While he does not help so much in terms of progressing the ball or passing it into the box, Haraslin is all about end product. In this EURO 2024, of all wide players, he was just behind Jamal Musiala in terms of xG on target per 90′ (0.42 vs 0.41). Now, 28, would be a great time to make a comeback to one of Europe’s top five leagues after those two unsuccessful years in Serie A, three seasons ago.
We are coming to an end, we will try to finish on a high with a versatile and entertaining wide forward:
Dan Ndoye – 2000 (23) – Bologna – Value around 14M
Ndoye is one of the pupils of Motta’s Champions League bound Bologna and one the fans wish to see more of at the Renato Dall’Ara next season. He’s real fun to watch. He has averaged 3.38 dribbles completed, 2.87 shots and 0.3 xG per game with Switzerland in the EURO 2024. All of this has come from a variety of positions: he’s played as a second striker (149 mins.), right wing-back (123 mins.) and right winger (121 mins.). His 22 successful dribbles have come from both flanks and in advanced positions as he is adept to receiving in the final third. He’s the youngest player on this list and one that is probably not moving soon.
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