On the eve of the 2023-24 season around Europe, it's time to ask: Who are we excited about watching this season?
We've got together 10 of the finest brains from across Europe that we think you should keep an eye on in the upcoming campaign. These aren't the best 10 players in Europe, nor are they 10 you've never heard of. There are lots of young players in this list and each writer was to pick someone they are excited about in 2023-24.
We will select two most noteworthy player in 2023/24 season every day. Read on to see who we've selected today.
Alejandro Garnacho Manchester United
Alejandro Garnacho already feels like an established part of Manchester United’s squad, but it is easy to forget he has only just turned 19, and only has five Premier League starts under his belt.
It was not until November that Garnacho became a consistent part of United’s first team, impressing with two assists against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup before a memorable late winner against Fulham in the Premier League a few days later.
He set up a goal in a derby win over eventual treble-winners Manchester City and scored against Leeds, West Ham and Wolves as the season progressed. In the FA Cup final defeat to City, he immediately looked like United’s most menacing player after coming off the bench, with his performance then prompting questions over whether he should have started the game.
He played some part in half of United’s Premier League games, and United fared significantly better in the 19 games he appeared. Erik ten Hag’s men scored 34 goals in matches with Garnacho, compared to 24 in games without him.
He offers a more direct style of play to the alternatives in Erik ten Hag’s squad, immediately looking to advance at pace down the left, take defenders on and generate shooting or crossing opportunities in the final third.
He averaged 3.9 shots per 90 minutes last season, the second-best rate after the departed Cristiano Ronaldo (4.3). And these were not just shots taken for the sake of it – Garnacho took them from threatening positions, and he was accurate.
He took 2.9 shots per 90 from inside the box and had 1.6 shots on target per 90, which were both the highest in United’s squad. His impact in attacking areas is highlighted by other metrics, too.
Garnacho was fouled in the final third 1.0 times per 90 minutes played, putting him well clear of anyone else in United’s squad when it came to earning his team favourable positions for set-pieces. Fernandes and Antony (both 0.3) were a distant second.
The winger was also crucial in having 0.5 shots per 90 from counter-attacks, which was again the best in United’s squad, while he was the only player to average more than two successful take-ons per game (2.1), topping Sancho (1.9) and Rashford (1.8).
With an excellent base to build from, now looks like the time to unleash Garnacho as a regular starter. If he can maintain his production over increased minutes, this could be a season to remember.
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