By popular demand, here's a handful of POTENTIAL stars for the future.
Kenneth "Drogba" Zohore, 23
His famous uncle Drogba tore it all up in England during his prime years and it's obviously highly unlikely his nephew Zohore will reach the same heights, HOWEVER, one has to at least consider him (if you are working at a scout at least) when you take a closer look at the talents in the Championship.
Having recently won the Young Player of the Year accolade with Cardiff he managed to wrap up a good second half of the season nicely, after he had frequently found the net and sometimes doing so in quite stylish fashion.
He broke through the ranks as a 16-year-old when at FC Copenhagen and he has also presented Fiorentina and Brøndby as well despite his young age. I hope he's going to be ready for this Summers U21 Euros and then you should take a look at him yourself. He's a physical masterpiece really, and when you then add blistering pace and a rather cool head you get a pretty mean striking machine. His goals:
Near future: I find it VERY likely he'll play in the Premiership this coming season. Perhaps with one of the newcomers (Fulham if they get promoted or perhaps Newcastle). £10M-ish.
Marcus Ingvartsen, 21
He's not ready to make a big move as of now but he'll probably leave the Danish Superliga for a top team in Holland or perhaps a middle/sub-top team in Germany or Spain. Build very much like and also reminds me of Milik (Napoli), standing 187 cm tall, athletic build and fast. Got a bit of a poachers instincts, often pops up in the right space and has got 19 goals to his name in 60 apps for FC Nordsjælland and 8 in 8 for the Danish U21 side (will also be lined up for at starting position come Summers U21 Euros).
Everton has reportedly scouted him on several occasions and maybe the got to see this goal of his from the weekend (Van Basten-like)
Jacob Bruun Larsen, 18
A real gem this one. The Dortmund-youngster, only a few days younger than Christian Pulisic, could enjoy his big break-through in the coming seasons if he can continue his progress. With 20 goals to his name, mainly from his position as left winger (or from direct free-kicks) he's outscored number two in the U19 Bundesliga campaign with 5 goals.
He's got amazing pace, fast feet, great game intelligence and a top notch attitude as well as an extremely well-developed eye for goal. Got injured in March and has been ruled out for some time and might not be ready for the U21's Euros, but people close to him and the team believe he could make a real impact on Dortmund's Bundesliga Mannschaft as soon as next Season (especially if Pulisic is sold). Got his first team debut in a Cup game last year.
For the geeky scout:
Jens Odgaard, 17, another big (188 cm), strong striker with physique like an ox, recently been picked by Tuttosport to the shortlist for this years 'Golden Boy'.
One of his first goals in the Superliga:
Philip Billing, 20
Huddersfield' s Young Player of the Year is the 1.96 tall powerhouse midfielder Billing, with African ancestry. Have been very impressed with some of his displays as he's not only very solid on the ball, carrying it forward like a boss but he's also very creative with it and can pick a pass. Seems to tick most of the boxes of a real commanding central defender, tall, strong, powerful, commanding, and he's also got eye for goal.
During Huddersfield's two games in the FA Cup against Man City he really showed he was also capable of playing very well against better opponents. Alan Shearer and fellow BBC pundit Pat Nevin were quite in awe of his performances:
"I thought he was absolutely fantastic,' the ex-Chelsea man Nevin said. 'Right from the start of the game. There's a confidence getting very close to arrogance about his play but he deserves to be able to do that because every time he gets the ball he seems to know what's around him.".
"He's able to see things and his one-touch pass for the goal was top class too. He's a player who can go a long, long way in the game. He looks a class act."
That's all folks, for now..
