10 years of NXGN: Bukayo Saka, Rodrygo and where 2020's best wonderkids are now

GOAL selected the 50 best footballing talents from around the world born on or after January 1, 2001 – but are they living up to their potential?

Since NXGN's launch in 2016, GOAL has profiled the 50 best footballing wonderkids on the planet on an annual basis. Some of those recognised for their talent as teenagers are now household names, but others have not yet realised their potential.

So, after theNXGN 2025 list was revealed, check out where the stars of 2020 are now:

Every NXGN list

Dembele, Tielemans & 2016's best wonderkids

Mbappe, Donnarumma & 2017's best wonderkids

De Ligt, Kluivert & 2018's best wonderkids

Haaland, Sancho & 2019's best wonderkids

James, Oberdorf & 2020's best women's wonderkids

Pedri, Ansu Fati & 2021's best wonderkids

Le Tissier, Bennison & 2021's best women's wonderkids

Bellingham, Musiala & 2022's best wonderkids

Dumornay, Fowler & 2022's best women's wonderkids

Gavi, Garnacho & 2023's best wonderkids

Shaw, Thompson & 2023's best women's wonderkids

Yamal, Mainoo & 2024's best wonderkids

Caicedo, Moultrie & 2024's best women's wonderkids

Getty Images50Pablo Moreno (Juventus)

2020: Having scored more than 200 goals at youth level for Barcelona, teenage forward Moreno was beginning to make a similar impact in Turin, while having also earned a place on the first team's bench during the 2019-20 campaign.

2021: Moreno joined Manchester City in a swap deal in the summer of 2020, before being sent on loan to Girona. He managed 26 appearances in the Spanish second tier, scoring twice.

2022: The forward was loaned back to Girona for a second successive season, but struggled for game time, starting just once in the league all campaign. He left City to join Portuguese side Maritimo in the summer of 2022.

2023: Moreno made 22 appearances across all competition in 2022-23, but failed to find the net as Maritimo suffered relegation. His contract was terminated, and he returned to the Spanish second division with FC Andorra.

2024: The attacker started just one league game through the 2023-24 campaign as he continued to struggle in getting his career going.

2025: Moreno joined Osasuna B in the Spanish third tier over the summer, but he has yet again failed to make any kind of positive impact.

Advertisementasianadotmy49Luqman Hakim (Selangor)

2020: Already a Malaysia Under-23s international at the age of 18, Hakim had seen a move to Belgian side KV Kortrijk be put on hold due to Covid-19 restrictions.

2021: Hakim eventually arrived at Kortrijk in the summer of 2020, but made just one appearance in his first season with the club. He did, however, make his full international debut in May 2021.

2022: The forward failed to make a first-team appearance in 2021-22 as reports began to swirl that he might return to Malaysia in a bid to earn minutes at the senior level.

2023: Hakim did manage two appearances for Kortrijk in the first half of 2022-23, but was loaned to Icelandic second division side Njardvik on a year-long deal in February 2023.

2024: In January 2024, Hakim joined Japanese third-tier side YSCC Yokohama in a bid to gain regular first-team minutes.

2025: Those minutes weren't forthcoming, as Hakim made just one league start during the 2024 season, and he is now back at Kortrijk as he contemplates his next move.

48Luca Unbehaun (Borussia Dortmund)

2020: Having been snapped up from Bochum in 2016, Germany youth international Unbehaun was working his way through the youth ranks at Dortmund.

2021: The first-choice goalkeeper for Dortmund's reserve side, Unbehaun did make the first-team bench on a number of occasions.

2022: Unbehaun missed a lot of the 2021-22 season with a hand injury, but remained the No.1 for Dortmund's reserves, who played in the German third tier.

2023: The goalkeeper's wait for a first-team debut at Dortmund went on, though Unbehaun was named on the bench for a number of Champions League matches. At the end of the season, he left BVB having never made a first-team appearance, joining third-division side SC Verl.

2024: Unbehaun was first-choice at Verl as he looked to finally get his career moving in the right direction.

2025: A move to the Dutch second tier followed for Unbehaun, as he joined FC Emmen ahead of the 2024-25 season, and he has been the club's first-choice goalkeeper through the campaign.

Getty Images47Naci Unuvar (Ajax)

2020: Having become Ajax's youngest-ever goalscorer at the age of 16, Unuvar was being tipped to eventually replace Hakim Ziyech in the first team, despite reports linking him with Barcelona.

2021: Unuvar endured a difficult campaign, as he struggled to kick on in Amsterdam, and played solely for Jong Ajax in the second division.

2022: Unuvar performed much better for Jong Ajax in 2021-22, racking up double-figure totals for both goals and assists, while also earning a couple of first-team appearances.

2023: The winger spent the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Turkish champions Trabzonspor, but he started just one league match for the club. Ajax then sent him back out on loan, this time to Twente, in the summer of 2023.

2024: Unuvar started just two Eredivisie games for Twente, though he enjoyed a couple of eye-catching cameos over the course of the season. He was then sent on loan to Espanyol in Spain during the summer that followed.

2025: Having managed just two substitute appearances in La Liga, Unuvar's loan was cut short, and Ajax cancelled his contract in January. Twente picked him up shortly after, and he has taken up a similar role as an impact substitute since his return to Grolsch Veste.

الكرتي: لن نُخدع برباعية الذهاب.. الجيش فريق قوي وبيراميدز لم يحسم التأهل

أكد المغربي وليد الكرتي، نجم خط وسط فريق بيراميدز، احترامه الكبير لفريق الجيش الملكي قبل المواجهة المرتقبة بين الفريقين في إياب الدور ربع النهائي من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، مؤكدًا أن نتيجة الذهاب لا تضمن التأهل، وأن الفريق مطالب بالقتال خلال الـ90 دقيقة المتبقية في المغرب.

طالع | يورتشيتش: بيراميدز سيخوض مباراة صعبة أمام الجيش الملكي.. وهناك ميزة من مواجهة الأهلي والزمالك

وقال الكرتي في تصريحات صحفية: “الفوز في القاهرة بنتيجة 4-1 يمنحنا أفضلية، لكنه لا يعني شيئًا في عالم كرة القدم، التأهل لم يُحسم بعد، ولا يزال أمامنا شوطًا ثانيًا صعبًا في مكناس، سنخوض اللقاء بحذر وجدية، لأن الجيش الملكي فريق قوي ويلعب على أرضه ووسط جماهيره”.

ويحل بيراميدز ضيفًا على الجيش الملكي المغربي في التاسعة من مساء الثلاثاء، على الملعب الشرفي بمدينة مكناس، في مواجهة نارية لحسم بطاقة التأهل إلى نصف نهائي بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعد أن حسم الفريق المصري مباراة الذهاب لصالحه بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدف.

وعبّر الكرتي عن سعادته الكبيرة بالتواجد في بلده المغرب رفقة بيراميدز، مشيرًا إلى أنه كلاعب محترف سيضع انتماءه للنادي في المقام الأول، وسيقدم أقصى ما لديه لمساعدة الفريق في تحقيق الفوز والتأهل لدور نصف النهائي ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

واختتم: “لدينا لاعبين مميزين يملكون الخبرة، وسبق لهم اللعب في أجواء جماهيرية صعبة، وهم على أتم الاستعداد لتكرار الانتصار من أجل مواصلة المشوار القاري”.

Johnny Cardoso joins Christian Pulisic in exclusive USMNT club after helping Real Betis to stun the ‘Galacticos’ of Real Madrid

Real Betis' Johnny Cardoso joined Christian Pulisic in an exclusive USMNT club after scoring against Real Madrid on Saturday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Real Betis beat Real MadridCardoso scores Betis' first goalJoins Pulisic in exclusive USMNT clubFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Cardoso became just the second American man to score against Los Blancos in 20 years, following Pulisic's effort in the 2021 Champions League semi-final for Chelsea.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Cardoso scored Betis' equaliser in a game they went on to win 2-1. Former Real star Isco netted the winner from the penalty spot as they moved up to sixth in La Liga.

DID YOU KNOW?

Cardoso is enjoying his first full season at Betis since signing from Internacional in January 2024. The midfielder has made 31 appearances, scoring twice, across La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Europa Conference League.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR CARDOSO AND REAL BETIS?

Betis take on Vitoria S.C. in the first leg of their Conference League last-16 tie on Thursday before hosting Las Palmas in the league next weekend.

Flamengo divulga os relacionados para a estreia no Carioca; confira

MatériaMais Notícias

A molecada comandada por Fabio Matias já encerrou a preparação, nesta terça-feira, e está pronta para representar o Flamengo na estreia do Carioca, cuja adversária será a Portuguesa, às 21h35 de amanhã, no Estádio Luso-Brasileiro. E os relacionados já foram divulgados pelo Rubro-Negro.

RelacionadasFlamengoGramado, banco de reservas e mais: os últimos preparos de Flamengo e Portuguesa para o Luso-BrasileiroFlamengo24/01/2022Futebol NacionalGALERIA: veja imagens do Luso-Brasileiro, casa de Flamengo e Fluminense em jogos do CariocãoFutebol Nacional24/01/2022FlamengoPontos de troca de ingresso, preços e mais: todas as informações para ver a estreia do Flamengo no CariocaFlamengo24/01/2022

Os destaques vão para as badaladas joias Lázaro, Matheus França e Mateusão.

>GALERIA: veja imagens do Luso-Brasileiro, casa do Flamengo no Carioca

Ainda não é assinante do Cariocão-2022? Acesse www.cariocaoplay.com.br, preencha o cadastro e ganhe 5% de desconto com o cupom especial do LANCE!: GE-JK-FF-ZSW

Na preparação para o Carioca, o grupo de Fabio Matias, que é treinador do time sub-20, disputou dois jogos-treino no Ninho do Urubu (contra Nova Iguaçu e Boavista), que indicam que uma escalação próxima a: Matheus Cunha; Wesley, Gabriel Noga, Cleiton e Marcos Paulo; Igor Jesus, Yuri de Oliveira e Matheus França; Thiaguinho, Lázaro e André.

> Confira a tabela do Cariocão

Pressionado pela “cultura da vitória”, o Flamengo busca o tetracampeonato na competição. Enquanto um time alternativo de jovens representa o clube, o grupo principal, de Paulo Sousa, segue treinando e só deve estrear na quarta rodada, que será o clássico contra o Fluminense, no dia 6 de fevereiro.

VEJA TODOS OS RELACIONADOS

Afghanistan allrounder Mirwais Ashraf set to become new ACB chairman

The ACB CEO said Azizullah Fazli’s term was always intended to be temporary

Umar Farooq11-Nov-2021Afghanistan allrounder Mirwais Ashraf has been appointed as acting chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). The order was issued earlier this week by Hasan Akhund, patron-in-chief of the ACB and the acting prime minister of the country, and awaits a ratification by the ACB board, which is expected to be just a formality.The change at the top is the second in four months after Azizullah Fazli was earlier named new ACB chairman replacing Farhan Yusufzai, who left the country after the Taliban took over. No proper reason has been given by the ACB about the latest change, but it has been learnt that Fazli’s appointment was always intended to be a temporary one.ESPNcricinfo understands that the country’s government intends to revamp the working structure of the board. “The government is trying to bring in more competent people with expertise in technical aspects of the game – commercial, business and marketing,” a former director of the ACB told ESPNcricinfo. “If Afghanistan can produce world-class players with this broken system back home, then imagine what they can do with a competent board.”Mirwais, a 33-year-old right-arm medium-fast bowler who played representative cricket as recently as in October 2020, was among the initial lot of players who helped cricket in Afghanistan rise to the top table. He made his international debut in 2009 and last played in 2016, featuring in 46 ODIs and 25 T20Is.Fazli had served a ten-month term as ACB chairman following the resignation of Atif Mashal – replaced by Yusufzai after Afghanistan’s bottom-place finish at the 2019 ODI World Cup in England. He was among the early group of players who established the game in the country. He had also served as the ACB’s vice-chairman and advisor in the past, and has been involved in running the country’s domestic and regional set-ups. “But when it comes to the ICC, he was a quiet person who kept his head down,” said the former director.Afghanistan, one of the teams that qualified directly for the Super 12 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup, were eliminated at the group stage after losing to Pakistan, India, and New Zealand, while winning against Scotland and Namibia.

Chelsea chiefs now battling to sign "clever" in-demand gem for Maresca

Hoping to add yet another future star to their ranks, Chelsea are now reportedly battling Premier League rivals to add a young attacking midfielder to Enzo Maresca’s ranks.

Chelsea transfer news

As much as Chelsea’s transfer strategy has been questioned in recent years due to the sheer extent of arrivals throughout Todd Boehly’s tenure, there’s been a number of signs that suggest things are finally starting to come together at Stamford Bridge.

Imagine him & Nkunku: Chelsea lining up bid to sign £67m Jackson upgrade

The Blues are reportedly interested in a swoop for the centre-forward.

4

By
Dan Emery

Oct 5, 2024

Enzo Maresca has got the Blues firing on all cylinders in all competitions and has suffered just the one defeat in the Premier League, which came against champions Manchester City on the opening day.

They picked up where they left off against Brighton & Hove Albion to once again steal a stylish victory in midweek, defeating Gent 4-2 in the Europa Conference League thanks to goals from the likes of Pedro Neto and Christopher Nkunku.

Setting far more promising foundations, the Blues have now reportedly turned their attention back towards the transfer window. According to Caught Offside, Chelsea chiefs are now battling to sign Andrija Maksimovic from Red Star Belgrade ahead of the likes of Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Having already added the likes of Aaron Anselmino and Caleb Wiley to their ranks during the summer, the London giants have now reportedly shifted their focus towards the attacking midfielder, who their scouts watched in midweek as Inter Milan defeated Red Star Belgrade 4-0. Impressing despite defeat, Maksimovic is a teenager with the world at his feet.

Already making an impact in senior football, Maksimovic has scored four goals and assisted a further three in 10 games in all competitions this season. Whilst a move to Chelsea at this stage would be quite the leap, the young Serbian is certainly showing plenty of potential.

"Clever" Maksimovic can join long list of future Chelsea stars

Playing the long game, Boehly may just be proven right in unexpected fashion if Chelsea’s growing list of young players prove to be the stars that they’ve shown all the potential of becoming. And Maksimovic could add to that long list. The 17-year-old has quite the decision to make and with the Blues looking on course under Maresca, he may yet choose Stamford Bridge over the likes of Newcastle.

The teenager has earned plenty of deserved praise at Red Star Belgrade, and rightly so, with Serbian Football Scout describing his use of momentum as “clever” last month.

When 2025 arrives, Chelsea look set to once again be among the sides looking to welcome the next generation in pursuit of eventually returning to the top of English football. Whether Maksimovic decides to become the latest young player to believe in Boehly’s project remains to be seen, however.

Liverpool now register interest in "wonderful" Real Madrid target for Slot

Looking ahead to the future, Liverpool have reportedly registered their interest in signing one particular Real Madrid target who is on course to become an undeniable star.

Liverpool transfer news

If there were any concerns that the Reds would fall away in the Premier League following Jurgen Klopp's departure, then those have been significantly eased by Arne Slot and the start his side have made this season. Earning maximum points without conceding once in a run that includes a 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford, the Dutchman may just be getting started.

Klopp sold Liverpool star for £6.5m, he's now outscored Chiesa since 2021

The club may regret allowing the talent to depart Anfield.

1 ByEthan Lamb Sep 11, 2024

As the former Feyenoord boss continues to get settled, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes may start to think about the 2025 transfer windows, in which Liverpool could be far busier than they were in a relatively quiet summer.

The rumours certainly suggest that's the case too. The Reds have already been linked to the likes of Angel Gomes, who would be making quite the controversial move as a Manchester United academy graduate. The England international has recently returned to the spotlight once again after making his Three Lions debut.

With his contract coming to an end next summer, the deal would certainly make sense, but Gomes isn't the only midfielder that those at Anfield reportedly have their eye on.

According to GiveMeSport, Liverpool have registered their interest in signing Chris Rigg from Sunderland alongside Manchester City and Chelsea, whilst Real Madrid have also been linked with a move.

Such interest should come as little surprise too. Rigg, just 17 years old, is already a consistent starter at the Stadium of Light and looks set to be the next best player in the Championship, potentially following in Jude Bellingham's footsteps in the process.

Liverpool, however, will seemingly be looking to deny Real Madrid the chance to sign yet another future star in a battle that the Reds are all too familiar with.

"Wonderful" Rigg is a future star

The way he has maintained his place in a Sunderland side who sit top of the Championship under new boss Regis Le Bris makes it difficult to believe that Rigg is still just 17 years old. The midfielder instantly stands out among his teammates as a star in the making and one destined for the very top. It's potential that former boss Tony Mowbray saw and potential that the rest of English football is now seeing.

Mowbray previously told Sunderland's official website, via Chronicle Live: "Chris Rigg is pushing really hard for a starting place in our team I would suggest, and I don’t say that lightly, he’s a 16-year-old boy. He knows where the goal is and wants to run forward, he’s got energy to burn and can keep running all day.

"He looks you in the eye and wants to please and do what you want him to do. He should have scored again to be honest, if he’d trusted his right foot he would have scored again.

Rigg is doing really well and is a real positive for our football club. I’m eulogising about him there, we shouldn’t overly build him up. He’s still a young boy but he has wonderful qualities and wonderful attributes.”

Man Utd must regret selling £9m star who’s now miles better than Casemiro

After all the investment into the playing squad over the last couple of years, Manchester United have stuttered and failed to push their way back up to the top end of the Premier League.

Boss Erik ten Hag is entering his third season in charge at Old Trafford, but despite winning two trophies in his first two seasons, there is a real demand from the fanbase to improve and push themselves up the table.

This season hasn’t started the way many would’ve hoped, sitting in 14th place on just three points after the first three matches of the new campaign.

Erik ten Hag

Despite multiple new additions in various needed areas of the pitch, issues in the middle of the park have once again reared their heads, with various players failing to make an impact.

One first-team member in particular has produced various disappointing displays, looking past his best after his big-money move to Old Trafford.

Casemiro’s disappointing time at Man United

After joining the Red Devils in a £70m deal from Real Madrid in 2022, Casemiro was signed to try and provide needed quality and experience in the centre of midfield.

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro

However, the move hasn’t gone to plan, with the Brazilian failing to make the impact many would’ve envisaged, picking up two red cards and looking way off the pace in the Premier League.

Jamie Carragher demanded that he leaves for Saudi Arabia last season and perhaps he should have heeded that advice.

He was touted with a move away from Manchester this summer, but remained at the club upon the closure of the transfer window, producing a disaster class against Liverpool during last weekend's 3-0 defeat.

The 32-year-old was at fault for both of the goals in the first half against Arne Slot’s side, being replaced at the break by academy graduate Toby Collyer.

However, the club may have made a mistake in allowing one midfielder to leave, with the former United ace undoubtedly a better talent than Casemiro in 2024.

United made a mistake allowing £9m ace to leave

James Garner is one of many stars who have come through the United academy, making seven appearances for the club’s first team.

He was sent on various loan spells to Watford and Nottingham Forest, before securing a permanent £9m transfer to fellow Premier League side Everton during the summer of 2022.

The move has allowed the 23-year-old to gain consistent first-team minutes – featuring 62 times for the Toffees under Sean Dyche and developing into a fabulous talent.

His development has progressed rapidly in a short period of time, with the Englishman now undoubtedly a better midfield option than Casemiro when delving into his stats from last season.

Garner may have won slightly fewer tackles per 90 minutes, but did dominate in possession, completing more progressive carries whilst succeeding with more take-on attempts than the Brazilian.

Games played

37

25

Goals + assists

3

3

Progressive carries

1.1

0.6

Key passes

1.32

0.73

Shot-on-target accuracy

24%

23%

Shot-creating actions

2.93

1.86

Tackles won

1.3

2.6

Interceptions

1.35

0.82

Take-ons completed

0.6

0.4

Errors leading to goals

1

2

He also registered fewer errors that led to goals than the current United midfielder, with Garner undoubtedly a more dependable option than the 32-year-old.

Everton midfielder James Garner.

Given his form in the Premier League, the Red Devils certainly made a mistake by allowing the youngster to depart the club.

With Garner only being 23, he still has the potential to improve further, potentially developing into a top-quality midfielder – demonstrating what he’s capable of after his departure from his boyhood club.

Man Utd "phenomenon" sold by Solskjær is now outscoring Hojlund & Zirkzee

The brilliant striker was incredible last season.

3 ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 6, 2024

Soumya Sarkar: 'Biggest competition is with myself'

Bangladesh allrounder Soumya Sarkar said he has to better prepare himself mentally in order to become a more consistent batter. He was adjudged Player of the Match for his half-century along with bowling figures of 1 for 18 in two overs against Zimbabwe in the first T20I in Harare, where the visitors won by eight wickets.Sarkar made 50 off 45 balls with four fours and two towering sixes. He said that he made a nervous start when he was nearly run-out in the first over, but a six off Luke Jongwe in the fifth over relaxed him.”I was playing my first international match after four months so I felt a bit shaky at the start,” Sarkar said. “When some of my first shots were going to hand, I told myself to take a bit of time. A four or a six would open things up for me, I thought. When I got a preferred ball and struck the six, I got my confidence back.”This was only Sarkar’s second fifty this year. He was given a chance in one Test against West Indies and the ODI series against New Zealand, without much success. Sarkar’s inconsistency resulted in him being constantly shuffled in and out of the team as well as up and down the batting order.”When I was out of the team, I practiced with purpose, particularly during the DPL T20s. I will continue to focus on certain areas of my game. I have to be more mentally fit to be more consistent.”My biggest competition is with myself. If I think of competing with others, it puts pressure on me. I want to do well myself, and get back my place in the team,” Sarkar said.Sarkar was later dismissed in a needless manner. After completing the run to reach his fifty, he ran himself out when a back-handed flick by Regis Chakabva caught him short of the crease trying a second run off the same delivery.”I felt that we could have finished the game two overs earlier if I wasn’t run out in that manner,” he said. “It was disappointing to get out. I thought that I was playing their left-arm spinner well, so I would have charged him further if I was around.”Sarkar said that Mohammad Naim’s three fours in the fourth over gave them the momentum required to chase down 153, which Bangladesh achieved with more than one over remaining.”I was supposed to bat at No 3, but the coach told me at the innings break that I would be opening in Liton’s place. I had to prepare myself mentally, and speak to the new partner and bat according to the conditions.”When we were going slow at the start, I told Naim that one big over will bring the flow in our favour. When he struck those three fours in the fourth over, things changed quickly,” he said.

Mac Allister 2.0: Liverpool could make late move for "monstrous" £75m ace

It’s been a relatively quiet transfer window for Liverpool this summer, with the club’s dealings only ramping up over the last seven days.

Arne Slot’s side completed a deal to sign Georgian international goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, with the 23-year-old spending the remainder of the campaign at Valencia – joining the Reds in the summer of 2025.

They also clinched a deal to sign Italian winger Federico Chiesa from Juventus over the last couple of days, spending £12.5m including add-ons – bolstering the attacking options at Slot’s disposal.

However, as of yet, the club are yet to sign the midfielder they’ve been desiring all summer after Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi rejected the chance to move to Anfield.

It’s since been quiet on the club’s hunt for a new deep-lying talent, but that could be about to change on deadline day, with one player linked with a move to Merseyside before the closure of the window in less than 12 hours time.

Liverpool interested in £75m midfield talent

According to TyC Sports, Liverpool have had an attempt to land Porto’s Argentinian midfielder Alan Varela after previous interest in the talent.

Alan Varela for Porto.

The 23-year-old, who’s been on the club’s radar for some time, has been subject to discussions over a potential move to Anfield, with the hierarchy holding a huge interest in the youngster.

However, Varela has a €90m (£75m) release clause in his current deal, with the Portuguese side unwilling to let him leave unless the Reds trigger the deal in his contract.

He would be a huge addition for Slot’s side, potentially completing his midfield trio and following in the footsteps of his compatriot who’s currently plying his trade on Merseyside.

Why Varela could be Mac Allister 2.0 for Liverpool

Argentinian star Alexis Mac Allister enjoyed a successful debut campaign at Liverpool last season, featuring in 33 Premier League matches, achieving a total of ten combined goal contributions.

He joined the club in a £35m deal from fellow English side Brighton – a bargain for a player of his quality – with the 25-year-old cementing his place as a regular starter at the heart of the Reds side.

Alexis Mac Allister for Liverpool

Mac Allister could be joined by compatriot Varela before tonight’s deadline, with the duo potentially able to form an excellent partnership in the middle of midfield, handing the club a huge boost in their pursuit of a successful first season under Slot.

When comparing their respective stats from 2023/24 on FBref, the pair are very similar, with the Porto star matching or even bettering the Reds’ number 10 in various key areas.

The “monstrous” talent, as described by analyst Ben Mattinson, may have registered fewer goals and assists, but he did manage to achieve a higher pass completion rate and complete more progressive passes per 90 – showcasing his excellent ability at moving the ball into forward areas.

Games played

30

33

Goals + assists

5

10

Progressive passes

7.3

7.2

Pass accuracy

88%

87%

Take-on success

70%

53%

Interceptions made

0.9

1.2

Clearances

1.1

0.9

He also completed more take-ons than the current Liverpool ace, demonstrating how effective he would be at keeping the ball in Slot’s possession-based system.

Defensively, Varela has also impressed, completing more clearances, and providing that added defensive cover in front of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahim Konate that the club have been searching for.

Alan Varela for Porto.

Whilst £75m is a huge figure for an unproven Premier League player, he would provide serious quality to the midfield department, allowing the Argentinian to link up with his compatriot at Anfield.

With less than 12 hours left in the window, Slot’s side will have to move quickly to secure a deal for the youngster to avoid a repeat of a collapsed move for Zubimendi, with it a chance to potentially end the search for a No.6.

After Chiesa: Liverpool eye up last-gasp move for £17m Zubimendi alternative

Things are ramping up on Merseyside…

1 ByAngus Sinclair Aug 30, 2024

Game
Register
Service
Bonus