Bundesliga: The young stars to watch in 2019-20
The Bundesliga has forged a reputation as the place to go for young players looking to develop. While Jadon Sancho and Kai Havertz have already made their mark, there are plenty more under-21s now ready to break through.
Kai Havertz, 20, Bayer Leverkusen
The standout star of Germany's next generation, Havertz has already racked up 88 top flight appearances, scoring 24 goals. He's technically superb, strong with both feet and capable of finding space as well as both scoring and creating. Havertz has said he will remain at Leverkusen this season but it seems only a matter of time before he moves on. Bayern Munich are long-term suitors.
Jadon Sancho, 19, Borussia Dortmund
Once a curiosity as an Englishman playing in Germany, Sancho is now something of a trailblazer, with plenty of other young Brits following suit. The former Manchester City winger has great balance, decision-making talent beyond his years, speed and composure. After being eased in to the first team in 2017-18, he was one of the stars of last season, scoring 12 league goals with 17 assists.
Dayot Upamecano, 20, RB Leipzig
The French center back (above left) is another who looks destined for the top. An imposing figure, Upamecano is dominant in the air and reads the game well. He can also bring the ball into midfield and, despite lapses of concentration that often come with the territory for young defenders, has become a mainstay of the league's tightest defense. Julian Nagelsmann should be an ideal coach for him.
Ibrahima Konate, 20, RB Leipzig
Another RB Leipzig center back who is similarly dominant, both in the air and on the ground. Konate enjoyed a superb season last time out and stepped up a notch after Upamecano's late-season injury. The French youngster described Upamecano as "like a brother to me" and the pair will be hoping to develop their partnership this term.
Alphonso Davies, 18, Bayern Munich
The Canadian winger was born in a refugee camp and joined Bayern in January. A string of substitute appearances totalling 74 minutes followed, enough time for Davies to score his first goal, against Mainz. The departures of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben may offer Davies more opportunities this year – especially after the injury to Bayern target Leroy Sane.
Marcus Thuram, 21, Gladbach
The son of French World Cup winner Lillian joined the Foals in July after impressing with French clubs Sochaux and Guingamp. Unlike his father, one of the best defenders of his generation, Marcus is an attacking player comfortable on the left wing or upfront. Tall and strong, Thuram is also a direct dribbler and may be asked to fill the boots of Thorgan Hazard, who has moved to Borussia Dortmund.
Weston McKennie, 20, Schalke
A rare bright spot in a dark season for Schalke, McKennie spent the summer captaining the USA to the final of the Gold Cup despite his tender years. Most comfortable as a tenacious ball-winning midfielder, McKennie played in several positions last season as Domenico Tedersco searched for a winning formula he never found. Fellow US international David Wagner's appointment was welcomed by McKennie.
Evan N'Dicka, 19, Eintracht Frankfurt
Another Frenchman, N'Dicka went under the radar slightly with Frankfurt's prolific front three stealing the limelight in their remarkable campaign. But the center back was excellent in the second half of the season, winning the Bundesliga's Rookie of the Month award (for under 23s) in February and a nomination for the yearly award. Smart and decisive, a big season could be in store.
Josh Sargent, 19, Werder Bremen
The American striker made an instant impact last season, heading in just two minutes after coming off the bench for his debut. He ended the season with two league goals from just 205 minutes and, despite Sargent missing out on the US Gold Cup squad, Bremen coach Florian Kohfledt is impressed. "He's so good in the area, if you get the ball in the box you always think it could work," he said.
Jann-Fiete Arp, 19, Bayern Munich
After choosing to join Bayern a year earlier than he could have from second-tier Hamburg, the German striker will be hoping to get some first-team action this campaign when the champions look to ease the load on Robert Lewandowski. A natural poacher, Arp made headlines by scoring in his first two professional appearances, but struggled in the 2nd Bundesliga last term. It's a big step up.
Tyler Adams, 20, RB Leipzig
The third North American and the third Leipzig man in this group, Adams arrived at RB from their New York branch in January and looked immediately comfortable in the hustle and bustle of a Bundesliga central midfield. Strong in the tackle, a perceptive passer and with a wise head on his shoulders, Adams is a real all-rounder who can play at the base of midfield or a little farther forward.
Ademola Lookman, 21, RB Leipzig
One of those Englishman to follow in Sancho's footsteps, Lookman enjoyed a productive loan spell with Leipzig in 2018. The rapid forward can play across the front line and has an eye for goal, scoring five times in his 574 Bundesliga minutes. But after just two Premier League starts last term, Everton allowed Lookman to rejoin the German side permanently this summer. Big things are expected.
Achraf Hakimi, 20, Borussia Dortmund (loan)
About to enter the second of two seasons on loan from Real Madrid, the fullback enjoyed a spectacular start to his BVB career, notching a goal and providing three assists in his firts five games. Comfortable on both sides of the pitch and currently better going forward than defending, Hakimi's season was ended by a metatarsal fracture in April.
Rabbi Matondo 18, Schalke
The Welsh flyer has followed Sancho's path from Manchester City to the Ruhr region and will hope to make a similar impact. Judged as the fastest player in City's ranks, Matondo managed just a handful of substitute appearances after joining Schalke last year. "This opportunity – I couldn’t say no to it so it had to be done," he said on arrival. The winger will hope for even more chances in 2019-20.