Antonio Nusa and Bilal El Khannouss are two of the most promising players in the Belgian league who could soon have a chance in one of the big five European leagues. The Belgian championship, for many years now, has been a very interesting market not only for discovering new young talents but also for monitoring players on loan from big clubs.
A competitive league, open to give continuous opportunities to young players and with the level to serve as a springboard for players coming from more secondary markets. Therefore, discovering talent in Belgium from the data is always time well spent. Here are five U21 players with more than 1,000 minutes, a market value of less than €10 million and a GBE of more than 15 points who are excelling in the Belgian 2023-24 league.
Malick Fofana – 2005 – 8 million market value
Right-footed winger who plays on the left, perhaps the most complete player in the championship. His 169cm may be a handicap to imagine his potential ceiling but his technical conditions can open the way for him with some certainty. A player with certain similarities to Jeremie Frimpong. A winger with great imbalance, speed and ball close to the foot, he alternates versatile movements in the final third (dribbling, dribbling, walling, unmarked runs, play between the lines). He has also played, with great fluency, on the right wing.
Jorne Spileers – 2005 – 5 million euros market value
Very interesting centre-back project who, one year after his debut at the age of 17, has established himself as a central defender for a club as important as Bruges. Personality and skill on the ball to play long or deliver the ball in good conditions even under harassment. In addition, he is very safe in the air. A centre-back project with the ability to be a starter for the Belgian national team. He is starting to be considered by very important European teams.
Soumaula Coulibaly – 2005 – 8 million euro market value
On loan from Borussia Dortmund, his season at Antwerp could be premonitory for his many virtues in defending in wide spaces. He is among the best in almost every metric. Wingspan, speed, temperance, good aerial play, good judgement and passing technique. Very present in passing chains that end in a shot, including the most valuable chains, adding only the five passes prior to the shot. Very important project as a centre back.
Emin Bayram – 2005 – 1.5 million euros market value.
Another loan signing, in this case from Galatasaray. Different centre-back, heavier but strong in the duel and with a good positioning in the back four. With good potential in his play on the ball, his main virtue is his aerial play. Dominant in melee and jumping, he wins 70% of the aerial duels played. Highly effective in the tackle and with a high number of interceptions per 90′.
Mathias Delorge-Knieper – 2004 – 3 million euros market value.
One of the classiest and most composed of the young midfielders playing on Belgian soil. Extraordinarily complete left-footed player, with great intuition and determination to steal the ball and to play it with sense and a wide range of passing when in possession. Player of great size, pace, intention and quality in all his actions. 2nd midfielder in interceptions and 4th in recoveries in the entire Belgian league. Player to be closely followed by all kinds of sporting directions.
