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.
Jude Bellingham Real Madrid
With his arrival at Real Madrid in June, Jude Bellingham made a step up in his career that felt totally natural. The most remarkable thing about Bellingham is not only the ability that has led to him being able to make this move, but the fact that he has done it at just 19 years of age.
Since starting his Bundesliga adventure in 2020, Bellingham gradually grew into a mainstay of the Borussia Dortmund side that came close to winning the league last season.
Now, an even more mature and experienced player, he will become the sixth Englishman to wear the Real Madrid shirt, after Laurence Cunningham, Steve McManaman, Michael Owen, Jonathan Woodgate and David Beckham.
Last season in the Bundesliga, Bellingham created a total of 34 chances and registered four assists in addition to the eight goals he scored. However, one detail to bear in mind is that 33 of those 34 chances were created in open play. If we add up his numbers in all competitions in 2022-23, Bellingham managed 14 goals, six assists and a total of 44 chances created.
In the middle of last season, the young Englishman also played a key role at the World Cup in Qatar, where he became the second youngest player in history to score for England in a World Cup (19 years and 145 days vs. IR Iran), after Michael Owen (18 years and 190 days in 1998).
With his signing, Real Madrid are not just getting a technically gifted midfielder, but a versatile player who can perform in any midfield role. He can score and set up goals, play accurate and ambitious passes, and can dribble. He led the Bundesliga last season for completed dribbles, with 88. Furthermore, his 76 tackles and 35 interceptions also meant he made a telling contribution without the ball. His touchmap from last season shows how he affected games all over the pitch.
Bellingham is a real gem of European football, one of those players that are difficult to categorise. He dominates so many aspects of the game that it is impossible to label him. At just 20 years of age, he is not a 6, nor an 8, nor a 20. He is an all-rounder, and there is good reason for Real Madrid fans to be rubbing their hands together at the prospect of seeing him in that white shirt.
We will select two most noteworthy player in 2023/24 season every day and make sure you do not miss anyone. Check out the past content👇
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