A Sweden youth international with Syrian origins, Bardghji was the youngest player to make his debut for Copenhagen last season (just days after he’d turned 16) and last weekend his two goals from off the bench against Brøndby turned a 2-1 scoreline to a 3-2 victory (he’d already secured a late equaliser in the similar derby fixture last season.)
It’s not by chance that the forward turns up on big occasions. Bardghji, who has six goals in eight games this season, plays with remarkable confidence, temperament and single-minded purpose for a teenager.
Though there are still improvements to made in terms of his decision-making and timing of runs, he’s a real threat when he cuts in from the right to set up a finish with his powerful left foot.
However, it was after joining Real Sociedad last summer that his career started to take off. He played a major hand in the Basque side’s return to the Champions League and has already made a solid mark on this campaign.
From a floating inverted role on the right, the quick, elusive and skillful winger has been in tremendous form, scoring four goals and assisting one since the start of the season. Looking beyond the end product, it’s the progression in his game that makes him stand out. The positivity in his passes, take-ons and carries rank among the highest in LaLiga.
Those who believed that the 5-foot-10 playmaker would struggle in the physical Bundesliga — or indeed at RB Leipzig, who tend to prefer power over flair — were soon proved wrong.
Usually positioned to the right behind the central strikers, Simons proactively picks up smart positions and is often the obvious target for a midfielder or the right-back to set up an attack. So smooth on the ball and with a highly developed football intelligence, the 20-year-old conducts the play with layoffs, flicks and passes into the path of penetrating runners.
What’s more, two of his three Bundesliga goals have been rather spectacular; the first a curled effort from the edge of the box and the second after a spectacular solo run from the halfway line.
According to reports, Leipzig are already seeking talks with PSG to keep the Netherlands international beyond this season’s loan.
One of the breakout forwards of the Eredivisie last season, with 15 goals in all competitions (all bar one coming after the turn of the year), the Mexico international has embarked on a similar scoring spree this campaign. Six games into the season and he’s hit the net nine times, with three coming away at Ajax in a disrupted 4-0 win this week.
Based on his relentless goal scoring, one might have expected one of Europe’s big spenders to have made a move to sign him in the summer, but the reason Gimenez still finds himself at Feyenoord might be down to playing style or his physical profile.
While there’s no doubting his ability to find the goal — his off-ball movement and spatial awareness are of the highest order (backed up by 8+ touches inside the opposing box per 90 minutes) — he’s not particularly quick.
Though his determination is off the charts, he does need service and is not, as opposed to many of modern-day No. 9s, one to repeatedly beat defenders or create chances single-handedly. Yet, as the spearhead of an attack supported by creative midfielders, his presence in the box and poaching abilities could see him succeed at an even higher level too.
