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#3 Angel Gomes (Boavista)
In May 2017, Angel Gomes made history when he became both the youngest player to represent Manchester United and the first player born in the 2000s to appear in the Premier League.
However, the creative midfielder never got a fair shot at breaking into the Red Devils’ first team, despite fans clamoring for him to be given a chance. And so, in the summer of 2020, with his contract up, he departed Old Trafford.
But rather than look for another Premier League club, the England youth international instead headed to Europe, signing a five-year contract with Lille.
The Ligue 1 side, in turn, loaned Gomes to Portuguese side Boavista for the 2020-21 campaign. And since then, the former Manchester United man has definitely made his mark.
Gomes registered two assists on his Boavista debut, and two matches later, he scored his first goal for the club – a spectacular shot from near the halfway line against Moreirense.
More recently, the former Red Devil scored another spectacular goal – this time a free-kick – to take his overall account for the season to five.
His performances definitely suggest that Lille will likely use him in the 2021-22 campaign once he returns from his loan. And if he can be as impressive there, there can be little doubt that United will regret letting him leave.
#4 Noni Madueke (PSV Eindhoven)
Despite making some major waves in Europe this season, somehow, the name of Noni Madueke has flown under the radar when it comes to attention from Premier League fans.
However, it seems like only a matter of time before the former Tottenham academy product is linked with a return to England’s top flight.
Still just 18 years old, the winger has enjoyed a stunning start to his career with PSV Eindhoven this season following his move from Tottenham in the summer of 2018.
Making his debut for the Dutch side back in September, Madueke shocked everyone by registering two assists in his very first game.
He’s since gone onto score eight goals and deliver six assists in all competitions, in a total of 22 appearances.
The 18-year-old is still not a regular starter for PSV – he’s only made six Eredivisie starts – and a case of COVID-19 has kept him out of recent matches.
But the potential he’s already shown has been scary, and it seems likely he’ll become a key player for the Dutch side in the near future. At his current rate, to see him called up for England soon wouldn’t be a surprise either.
Madueke himself has stated that he has no regrets over leaving Spurs – and that his performances with PSV have proven that he made the right decision. Based on what he’s done so far, it’d be hard to disagree with him.
#5 Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
After Jadon Sancho's success, who moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2017, it always felt likely that the Bundesliga side would look to bring in more English youngsters.
And in July 2020, that idea came to fruition when they paid Birmingham City around £25m for midfielder Jude Bellingham – making him the most expensive 17-year-old in football history in the process.
Bellingham had made 41 appearances for Birmingham in the 2019-20 season, and when he was sold, the club controversially “retired” his #22 shirt.
The retiring seemed like a bizarre move, given Bellingham has yet to accomplish anything major in the game. But judging by the start to his Dortmund career, it won’t be long before he does.
Bellingham doesn’t even turn 18 until June, but he’s already made 18 appearances in the Bundesliga – as well as seven in the Champions League – and has registered four assists.
Capable of playing as a deep-lying playmaker as well as a holding midfielder, it’s plain to see that Bellingham’s confident style belies his young age. And at a club like Dortmund, who are renowned for their work with young players, he’ll only get better.
Bellingham has already made his senior England debut, and given his trajectory thus far, it’s safe to say that he could be a staple of the side for years to come – as well as a major success in Europe.
