Welcome back to the ESPN FC Hot List, 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, Real Madrid‘s Jude Bellingham or Barcelona 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.
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What a month it was for the young Liverpool right-back. The standard mantra from any Premier League head coach upon a youngster’s debut goes along the lines of: “Go out and have fun, don’t be afraid to express yourself” and the Northern Ireland international followed that script to the letter.
Following an outstanding year on loan at Bolton, Bradley missed the first few months of this season through injury, but when his chance came in the UEFA Europa League in November he took it with both hands. Defensively alert, quick at intercepting the ball, and with a relentless enthusiasm and stamina, his rise begs the question of whether Trent Alexander-Arnold may eventually be brought permanently into midfield.
On this form, there’s no way of keeping Bradley out of the side. He was arguably Man of the Match in the games against Fulham, Norwich and Chelsea — in which he provided two assists and a goal. It’s incredible to think that just a few months ago the unassuming 20-year-old penned a new 3½ year deal and nobody batted an eyelid. Jurgen Klopp has done it again.
In only his second season as a regular, the France U21 international keeps growing each month, adding authority and adjusting minor technical shortcomings to his already fine positioning and lightning-quick reflexes.
Furthermore, as the goalkeeper in one of the most possession-heavy Ligue 1 sides, Chevalier is also excellent with the ball at his feet when playing out from the back — his long passes are well-executed, often delivered with pinpoint accuracy – and he displays a confident first touch and takes up good positions to give his defenders an option.
Samuel Omorodion, 19, ST, Alaves
Having been signed by Atletico Madrid from Granada for €6m last August, Omorodion — better known as “Samu” — was subsequently loaned out to Alaves for this season. After showing promise during the first few months, he capped January with a brilliant brace away at Almeria. The first came after outsprinting the defence, covering half of the pitch in the process, as Alaves won the ball high into their own half, while his second was a no-less-impressive drive from an acute angle with his weaker left foot.
Born in the Spanish North African enclave of Melilla to Nigerian parents, the 19-year-old — who is a well-established Spain U21 international — can at times appear a one-man attack as his excellent athleticism and ability to find spaces make him hard to contain. Indeed, four of his six LaLiga goals so far have come by way of smart movement.
