Are you a big advocate of the lesser-known leagues in Europe? Or do you maybe enjoy watching Conference League’s mighty stars?
We could have something for you today. We have picked up 7 young talents from Central Europe (Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and Poland) who could be about to break through at a senior level.
A quick note before we start: we have selected players aged 23 or less that did not participate in more than 1400 minutes last season, so there’s space for them to have a bigger and more substantial impact in this 24/25 season that has already started in these countries.
Rafiu Durosinmi – 2003 (21) – Striker – Viktoria Plzen – Market value around 4.5M
In 757 minutes, Durosinmi had scored 6 goals and delivered 5 assists in what was supposed to be his breakout year. However, a knee injury he suffered in October sidelined him for the rest of the campaign. This year should be finally the year in which he gets 15 or more goals.
On top of finding good shooting opportunities while taking a below average number of shots, the Nigerian is a commanding physical presence with aerial prowess. Durosinmi can also drift out wide and play passes from outside to inside for his teammates.
Mamady Diambou – 2002 (21) – Midfielder – RB Salzburg – Market value around 3M
Diambou was often deployed as a possession-based midfielder last season but has started the new campaign as Salzburg’s deep-lying midfielder in a 4-3-3. His ball-retention ability in the opponents half is pretty good (86.5%) and his xG build-up numbers are well above average (0.48). His passing is safe, he had the higher percentage of passes completed last season in the Austria Bundesliga (89%) and wasn’t dispossessed in the 754 mins. he played. However, if he is to develop in the ‘6’ role he has to improve his tackling as he was the player with the lowest percentage of dribblers tackled (53.9%). If he improves in that aspect while maintaining the number of interceptions he’s currently averaging, he will become a much more complete player than he already is now.
Adryan Przyborek – 2007 (17) – Midfielder/Forward – Pogon Szczecin – Market value around 1.5M
Poland’s Pzryborek is the youngest player on this list and for good reason. He made his debut for Pogon as a 16-year-old. He’s mainly a right-sided, wide player who excels by carrying the ball forwards. If we compare to his counterparts in Ekstraklasa last season, Przyborek averaged the highest number of ball progressions and the 2nd-most key passes from open play per game. Also, he was just behind his teammate Grosicki in xG chain numbers, a metric that measures the quantity of xG a player has taken part in.
One thing he will need to work on is his goalscoring contribution, he rarely takes shots or touches the ball in the opponent penalty box. At just 17 years of age, there’s time for that to develop and we can still hope for a breakout season for Przyborek. Remember: at just 17 years old he gave the assist for Pogon’s goal at Polish Cup final.
Alex Douglas – 2001 (22) – Defender – Lech Poznan – Market value around 500K
After winning promotion from Superettan to the Allsvenskan in 21/22, Alex Douglas enjoyed a fine season in Sweden’s first tier playing as a right-footed, left defender in Vasteras three-man defence. This summer, he’s joined Ekstraklasa title challengers Lech Poznan. Douglas is a quick and tall defender who imposes himself in duels due to his long legs and big stride. His defending numbers stood out last season: Douglas averaged 83.9% of dribblers tackled while completing the Allsvenskan’s highest number of successful tackles per game. He also completed 5 ball-recoveries per game.
His on-ball qualities are noteworthy as well. Douglas possess technical ability to pass through the lines and to find teammates in small spaces but he’s also outstanding in carrying the ball glued to his feet and breaking through the opposition ranks. He completed the 6th-most passes per 90′ in the opposition half in the Allvenskan last season and his average number of 14 meters progressed per carry made places him among the top 10 defenders in that aspect.
Gabriel Sigua – 2005 (19) – Midfielder- FC Basel – Market value around 2.5M
Georgia’s Sigua joined Basel from Dinamo Tbilisi, where he was playing as a midfielder in a double pivot. At Basel minutes were hard to come and his position became something of an uncertainty. But he’s undoubtedly a talented player, who has already been capped by Georgia. His physical frame is extraordinary for a player of his age. His hips are massive and allow him to have enormous power when dribbling and carrying the ball, which seems to be his main strength. His currently ideal role would be something close to a box to box as he looks good both tackling dribblers and arriving into the box. With just nearly 600′ played last season, this season could be a good one to have a look at Sigua, who has been touted as Georgia next big thing.
Matej Jurasek – 2003 (20) – Winger – Slavia Praha – Market value around 8M
Another player who had to postpone his breakout season because of injuries. Jurasek was going to be a nailed starter for Slavia but those mentioned physical problems interrupted his season. However, he still recovered in time to take part in Czech Republic’s disappointing EURO campaign. Jurasek played mainly as a left-footed, right-sided player for Slavia. He’s a player who demands the ball a lot (5.76 touches in opponent box per game) and wants to be productive. Among wide players in the Czech Fortuna Liga, he averaged the 6th most shots and 5th most xG per game also. His 2.26 dribbles completed on average were the league’s 4th highest number.
Tommaso Guercio – 2005 (19) – Defender – Slask Wroclaw – Market value around 300K
Guercio is born to a Italian father and a Polish mother and has already represented Poland in youth level. That could explain some of the reasons why he’s chosen the Ekstraklasa after leaving Inter. He went on loan to Slask for the second part of last season and has permanently joined the Polish team this summer. Guercio is a good all-round extremely young defender who completes a lot of long balls with a high percentage of them being completed. His tackling numbers are good overall as well. He seems like a profile who could benefit from having senior experience while also playing in Europe. A breakout season in Poland would mean he’s in contention for a place in the national team. He will be playing for a title challenger so a lot of eyes will be on him.
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