Adel
TAARABT
BENFICA
QPR fans could be forgiven for
failing to recognise Taarabt as the
player that inspired them to the
Championship title in 2010-11. Back
then, the Morocco midfielder was a
mercurial No.10 with zero defensive
instincts. “We banned him from
coming in our half...and would fine
him if he did,” his then manager Neil
Warnock recently toldSky Sports.
Since breaking into the Benfica
side in 2019, however, Taarabt has
been transformed. These days, he
is more likely to end a mazy dribble
with a crunching tackle than
embark on one himself, while he
still possesses the flair to produce
magic with the ball from deep.Marash
KUMBULLA
ROMA
Kumbulla has been aWorld Soccer
regular recently, impressing for
Verona. In the summer, Roma won
the race to sign him, giving him the
chance to showcase his ability to
the rest of Europe. Quick, strong
and a fierce competitor, the Albania
defender has so far been stationed
on the left of a back three in Rome.Samuel
CHUKWUEZE
VILLARREAL
LandingJapanese flyer Takefusa
Kubo on loan from Real Madrid was
an eye-catching summer signing for
Villarreal, yet Chukwueze remains
the most exciting young winger
at El Madrigal.
The Nigeria starlet was only19
when the Spanish side reached the
Europa League quarter-finals in
2018-19, yet caught the eye with
his direct dribbling, quick feet and
turn of pace. Two years on and
although he is still just as fun to
watch, he is yet to add the end
product to his game that would
turn him from a super sub into
a guaranteed starter. Perhaps
this will be his season.Florian
WIRTZ
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Leverkusen could afford to be
relaxed about selling Kai Havertz,
knowing that they already have
Germany’s next wonderkid.
Wirtz’s record-breaking
emergence has been well
documented, becoming the
Bundesliga’s youngest-ever
goalscorer inJune, and the
departure of Havertz will
thrust him even further into
the spotlight. Capable of playing
anywhere in the midfield, the
17-year-old will play his part
if Leverkusen are to advance
to the latter stages.EUROPA LEAGUEIn recent seasons Lille have sold
Nicolas Pepe and Victor Osimhen
for huge profit. Their current squad
is packed with talent too, with the
likes ofJonathan Bamba, Renato
Sanches, Boubakary
Soumare and Isaac
Lihadji, but Ikone is
their stand-out star.
The France atacking
midfielder is another
huge talent from PSG’s
academy to leave Paris
in search of first team
football, and the French
champions may well
be kicking themselves
once again.Jonathan
IKONE
LILLE
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