Welcome to the ESPN FC hotlist, which each month highlights some of the most in-form talent aged 23 or under across Europe.
Generally, young but established stars like Manchester City‘s Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund‘s Jude Bellingham or Barcelona‘s Gavi aren’t included — otherwise they’d be on the list every month — but we’ll shine a light on some of those who deserve praise for their performances and who could potentially be European football’s next big name.
Next week we’ll also have a look at the top performers from the Under-20 World Cup currently happening in Argentina.
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Signed from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer last summer, the incisive winger-playmaker capped a sensational full season at senior level in style as he outpaced and outsmarted the AZ Alkmaar defenders to score both goals in a 2-1 away victory last Sunday.
In addition to being a fountain of creativity (1.6 key passes and 4+ successful dribbles per 90 minutes) and end product — he finished the season as the Eredivisie’s joint leading scorer with 19 goals — Simons is also enthusiastic in his pressing duties. The Netherlands international’s exceptional performances begs the question of whether he has played his last game for PSV, as there are plenty of interested clubs.
The Gambia-born Senegal international has also improved other parts of his game: his first touch is getting more reliable and he appears more aware of his teammates’ movement when dropping deep to link the play. He has also shown growing maturity as he unselfishly set up two goals against Girona.
Earlier in the month, Wahi famously got on the scoresheet four times in a Ligue 1 match against Lyon, yet still ended up losing 5-4 as former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette also netted four! But while spectacular finishing — astonishing overhead kicks and extravagant chips count among his 17 goals in the league this season — brought the France U21 international to prominence, there’s so much more to his game.
Usually tasked with spearheading the attack, his style of play is more akin to an old-fashioned roaming “second striker” than a centre-forward. Wahi utilises his acceleration, outstanding movement and dribbling skills to deceive opponents and, when the space opens up, any defender is fair game in a one-vs.-one sprint duel.
His remarkable form for Montpellier has inevitably sparked speculation over a potential summer move, with Arsenal and AC Milan frequently linked.
