The Champions League is perhaps the most anticipated annual competition in world football. It brings the world's best footballing talent together as they all fight for the chance to be the number one football club in Europe.
One of the best parts about the Champions League is the individual performances we see over the course of the campaign. For years, Messi and Ronaldo dominated the goalscoring charts and were stand-out performers year in year out. It looks as if that mantle has been passed onto the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Although Messi and Ronaldo are still very much top-class players, that doesn't mean we can't look forward to the players who will take their place in the coming years. The Champions League is usually a good place to judge up-and-coming talent. The pressure is immense, the stage is huge, and the quality required is only the best. All these things considered, you should be very impressed if a youngster is able to deliver in the Champions League. It isn't unlikely in the slightest, with plenty of players looking to make a great impression. That being said, here are some of the players you should watch in next season's Champions League.
Mitchel Bakker
Formerly of
Ajax, this 20-year-old Dutch defender is certainly one for the future. He made a good impression to spectators after featuring 10 times for PSG in their previous Champions League campaign. He is a relatively versatile player. He can fill in at both centre back and left back. A defensively sound player with good ball playing abilities, it's likely that he could be a more regular starter for the French side in next season's campaign.
Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham is one of the most exciting English talents football fans have seen in a long time. Having started his career at
Birmingham City, the club retired his jersey number 22 at the age of just 17. He has since moved to Borussia Dortmund where he has really established himself as a top player. Bellingham is now a regular feature in the England squad. He also became the youngest English Player to ever play in the Champions League. The midfielder is rapidly developing his talents and is certainly likely to be a key player for Dortmund for years to come.
Pedri
Not many players have burst onto the scene quite like Pedri has. Signed from Las Palmas, he is now a key figure in both the Barcelona and Spain teams. He is a creative midfielder who can seemingly pick a pass out from nothing. He has been compared to the likes of Andres Iniesta and Xavi, following being a regular feature for Ronald Koeman's Barcelona this year. He seems to get better every game and could help lead Barcelona to Champions League glory next year.
Curtis Jones
Due to Liverpool having a series of injury problems last season, youngster Curtis Jones was called upon to pick up a crucial midfield role. He performed very well in the absence of senior players, and the departure of Gini Wijnaldum could see him retain his place in the Liverpool set up.
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