The top ten U21 talents in the Belgian Jupiler League
By
Didrik,
November 14, 2013.
When a country is overflowing with potential stars like an uncorked bottle of shaken champagne, picking ten of the best from that nation’s league is a daunting yet exciting task.
Consequently, I have opted to base the following list from Belgium’s Jupiler League upon certain criteria in order to make the selection as comprehensive as possible. The following list includes players who are 21 years of age or younger but it is worth noting that the players do not necessarily have to be Belgian themselves. In addition, the players are not listed in any particular ranking or order.
Youri Tielemans, 07.05.97 (Anderlecht)
Having come through the youth ranks at Anderlecht, Tielemans is the third youngest ever Champions League player (at 16 years, 4 months and 25 days when he started against Benfica earlier this season) and has already caught the attention of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham since establishing himself in the Anderlecht first team this season.
Capped at U15, U16 and U21 level for Belgium, the versatile midfielder has been described as the new Andrea Pirlo, mostly due to his technical ability and composure on the ball. Furthermore, the surgeon-like precision of his right foot has already seen him become the club’s regular corner and free-kick taker.
Benefitting from an impressive physical presence for a 16-year-old, Tielemans has the potential to blossom into a supreme central midfielder. He has already been recommended to Manchester City by their captain, and fellow Belgian, Vincent Kompany, although the youngster’s parents are keen for him to finish his education first before considering such a move.
This news will undoubtedly have been welcomed by the Anderlecht faithful, who will be able to enjoy the talented midfielder for a few more seasons.
Frank Acheampong, 16.10.93 (Anderlecht)
The Ghanaian winger signed a loan deal with Anderlecht in January 2013 before subsequently making the deal permanent in April the same year after a string of impressive performances.
Having already earned two caps for Ghana, grabbing his first international goal in his second game, the €1 million Anderlecht paid for his services could prove a bargain as the pacey left-footer has already been linked with moves to Italian giants AC Milan and Roma.
Acheampong (number 7) celebrates a goal for Ghana against Iraq at the U20 World Cup.
Photo by Eser Karadağ, used under
CC.
With three goals and as many assists in fourteen league games so far this season, the youngster has not only entered his name into several top European clubs’ scouting reports but he has also become a fan favourite amongst the Anderlecht faithful, impressing with dazzling pace as well as clever runs off the ball and an exceptional work rate.
Michy Batshuayi, 02.10.93 (Standard Liege)
The 20-year-old Belgian, who is of Congolese descent, has established himself as one of the stars amongst Standard Liege’s array of impressive attacking options this season. With ten goals in fourteen games so far, the quick striker has become one of many hot names in the league and was linked with moves to Swansea and Everton before signing a new contract with Standard.
Having already been capped, and impressed, on U21 duty for Belgium, the explosive attacker has made it publicly clear that he wants to be considered by Belgium manager Marc Wilmots for the 2014 World Cup squad and if he continues his form from the beginning of the season it’s not at all an impossible scenario.
Dennis Praet, 14.05.94 (Anderlecht)
Making his first team debut for Anderlecht as a 17-year-old and providing two assists in the process, fan favourite Praet has developed into one of the most exciting attacking midfielders to watch in the Jupiler League.
His technical skills, agility and vision have seen the now 19-year-old Praet be linked with moves to Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and AC Milan, with fellow players comparing him to Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta. Similar to the Barcelona star, Praet has been used in various positions, including on the wings, despite being considered strongest as a classic number ten.
Capped at virtually every level for Belgium’s youth teams, the composed midfielder is also knocking on the door of the senior side despite terrifically tough competition. The World Cup might come too soon for Praet but he will undoubtedly represent his country in a major tournament at some stage in his career.
Junior Malanda, 28.08.94 (Zulte Waregem – on loan from Wolfsburg)
Bernard Malanda-Adje – better known as Junior Malanda – took Belgium by storm as a supreme defensive midfielder before surprisingly demanding a transfer away from Zulte, invoking a Belgian rule to allow him to buy himself out of his contract.
The powerhouse midfielder was consequently linked with several Premier League and Bundesliga clubs before moving on a near-free transfer to Wolfsburg in the summer, who subsequently loaned him back to Zulte in one of the most bizarre transfer stories of 2013.
Being able to play in central defence and at right back as well as his natural role of defensive midfielder, where he breaks up play in accomplished fashion and makes simple yet crucial passes, Malanda started his career at Lille before moving back to Belgium with Zulte last year.
Albeit somewhat controversial, there is little reason to doubt that the young midfielder will be as successful in Germany as he was in Belgium.
Thorgan Hazard, 29.03.93 (Zulte Waregem – on loan from Chelsea)
Two years younger than Eden, Thorgan arrived with his brother at Chelsea in July 2012. However, he was loaned out to Zulte in order for him to gain experience – a tactic that has worked superbly so far.
The attacking midfielder played a mammoth role as Zulte challenged Anderlecht for the title in the 2012/13 season and he has contributed nine goals and nine assists in the Jupiler league so far this term.
After impressing form for both club and country, at U21 level, the former Tubize player made his Belgium senior debut coming in for Romelu Lukaku in a friendly against the USA. It will certainly not be his last appearance for his country.
Maxime Lestienne, 17.06.92 (Club Brugge)
Starting his career at Mouscron, the winger with the refined left foot was quickly noticed by top domestic and European clubs. With both Everton and PSV Eindhoven very interested in him after Mouscron had to declare bankruptcy, Lestienne – who was a boyhood fan of Club Brugge – opted to wear black and blue in January 2010.
In addition to several supreme shows of skill on both wings for the 2004/05 Belgian champions, the youngster has not been a stranger to controversy off the pitch. He was recently suspended from international duty by the Belgian FA having allegedly smuggled his girlfriend into his room whilst on U21 duty.
Such misdemeanours aside, Lestienne – who has been linked with a £10m move to Juventus – has scored 27 goals in 84 appearances for Club Brugge and is believed to have a golden future in the game.
Massimo Bruno, 17.09.93 (Anderlecht)
Described by Anderlecht fans as the perfect winger, the predominantly right-footed wide man is most famous for his pace and the accuracy of his final ball and has attracted interest from Liverpool with his performances this season having been of increasingly high quality.
As well as establishing himself as an integral player in Anderlecht’s young squad, the Boussu-born 20-year-old has also impressed for the Belgian U21 team.
Ibrahima Cisse, 28.02.95 (Standard Liege)
The young Liege-born defensive midfielder made a statement of intent when, as an 18-year-old, he featured in Standard’s midfield for their win against Romanian team Otelul Galati in July 2012. He has not looked back since.
Despite his young age, manager Guy Luzon has given Cisse sixteen appearances for Standard so far this season as his physical presence in midfield is greater than most players of a similar age. Combining raw strength and pace with a mature ability to read the game, the six foot tall player has proven an excellent defensive midfielder as Standard have propelled themselves to the top of the Belgian league.
Imoh Ezekiel, 24.10.93 (Standard Liege)
With nine goals in 23 appearances so far this season, the Nigerian-born striker has developed into one of the most exciting prospects in the Jupiler League. His explosive pace and confident finishing have made the 20-year-old a terrifying striker to face for any defender.
Standard’s top scorer last season has still not been capped by his native Nigeria and so could earn a call-up to the Belgian international team as manager Marc Wilmots is reportedly interested in acquiring his talents for the Red Devils.
