Rodrygo
(Real Madrid)G
rowing up in Sao Paulo state, the
adolescent Rodrygo often used to
tell his father, Eric, that one day he
would play for Real Madrid. And that’s
exactly the way it’s turned out for the teenage
winger who arrived at the Bernabeu this summer
in a €45million switch from Santos.
Normally the plan would be to give the 18-
year-old time to acclimatise to the European
game and protect him from undue pressure. But
circumstances have changed. The tear-jerking
fate of talented left-winger Marco Asensio – who
blew out cruciate knee ligaments in pre-season- has opened up a major flank vacancy and the
youngster may be the individual to fill it.
Widely regarded as the most exciting Brazilian
prospect since Neymar emerged at Santos a
decade ago, Rodrygo could be just the answer
to Real’s prayers. Not only does he boast an
extraordinary range of attributes – mesmerising
dribbling ability, speed, agility, goal threat and
excellent powers of endurance – he is also made
of the right mental stuff, never intimidated by the
close attention of markers and remarkably free
of hesitancy and complexes on the big stage.
The only possible spanner in the works could
be non-EU player quotas. Real already have their
allotted three – Brazilians Eder Militao and
Vinicius Junior, and Uruguayan Fede Valverde- but they are hoping that Valverde’s ongoing
naturalisation application is completed post
haste, thus giving a Champions League green
light to the Brazilian boy wonder.
Good enough to be handed an equipment
contract by Nike at the age of 11, Rodrygo Silva
de Goes continues to be precocity writ large.
Here’s hoping Spanish state administrators offer
him a timely helping hand.
Takumi Minamino
(Red Bull Salzburg)Jesse Marsch, the new Salzburg coach, makes
no secret of his admiration for the Japanese
attacker and believes he has found a better
platform for the 24-year-old, switching him from
a pure front-running role to a deeper spot, either
as a wide attacking midfielder or a false nine.Joao Felix
(Atletico Madrid)The fourth-most expensive signing in history
after Atleti coughed up €126m to lure him away
from Benfica. The gifted second striker was the
biggest revelation in all of Europe last season, yet
was rejected by Porto a few years ago as they
were worried about his lack of size.Florentino Luis
(Benfica)Rumoured to be on the radar of Manchester City,
the 19-year-old defensive midfielder proved an
overnight sensation after Bruno Lage switched
him from the B team to the first XI for the
last four months of what was to be golden
Portuguese league campaign for Benfica.Sepp Van den Berg
(Liverpool)With one eye very much on the future, the
Champions League holders have further
augmented their centre-back pool with the
acquisition of the PEC Zwolle stopper. So mature
and composed on the ball for a 17-year-old.Wilmar Barrios
(Zenit)Workaholic Colombian defensive midfielder who
left Argentinian side Boca Juniors for Russia early
this year in a €15m deal. Quickly found his feet
in his new European environment, combining
boundless energy, grit and accurate passing.
Very much at home in the “quarterback” role.BREAKOUT STARS