5 lesser known football siblings who are doing well

RSC Anderlecht v Zulte Waregem - Jupiler Pro League
Thorgan Hazard is the younger brother of Eden Hazard

In football, we have witnessed the success and rise of partnerships, less significantly and talked about with a pair of brothers whether playing for the same club or a different club in the same country or abroad.

Usually, when the eldest of siblings have been excelling in football, all the spotlight and attention has been towards them while the younger one goes under the shadow.

The grind and struggle can be a toll when these players have to step up and make a mark on their own at lesser or bigger known clubs.

However, this season, we have seen the rise and growth of the younger brothers who are performing well on their own and succeeding at their clubs, which has grabbed the attraction of the media and the fans.

This has led them to being linked with a potential move to a bigger club in the future.

Here is a look at the five siblings who are doing well this season:


#5 Bradley Wright-Phillips

D.C. United v New York Red Bulls
Wright Phillips has been one of the best strikers in the MLS

Bradley Wright Phillips is the younger brother of former Manchester City and Chelsea midfielder Shaun Wright Phillips.

Before making the switch to the United States, Wright Phillips played for five clubs in England, most notably with Manchester City and Southampton.

However, he had his best with Charlton Athletic, scoring 22 goals in the 2011-12 League One campaign as his team finished top and secured promotion to the Championship.

It was in 2013 when Phillips had become a free agent following his release by Charlton. He was snapped up by the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.

He did not have a successful first season in the US, as he was used as a squad rotational player and was the fourth choice behind Thierry Henry and a few others, making only nine appearances in the league.

However, 2014 was his breakout year when he became the first choice following the departure of Henry.

He grabbed his opportunity and stepped up to the plate scoring 27 goals in the regular season and four goals in the playoffs as the Red Bulls reached the finals of the Eastern Conference.

Following his excellent season, the Englishman was rewarded with a contract extension. Over the last four seasons, Wright Phillips has been the most prolific strikers in the MLS, accumulating a tally of 93 goals and has won the golden boot on two separate occasions, in 2014 and 2016.

In the 2017 season, he scored 23 goals in all competitions as the Red Bulls reached the finals of the US Open Cup. He is a good asset in the air as he well as he wins 1.5 aerial duels per game.

#4 Jordan Lukaku

Lazio Roma v OGC Nice - UEFA Europa League
Lukaku is having a good season in Italy

Jordan Lukaku is the younger brother of Manchester United forward Romelu Lukaku.

He began his career in his native Belgium with Anderlecht and was signed by Italian club Lazio in 2016 for a fee of €5 million.

Lukaku is a natural left back and made 20 appearances in his debut campaign in Italy. However, this season the Belgian has been a more prominent addition in the Lazio squad, becoming a regular starter for The Eagles.

He has made the fullback position his own and has appeared in 33 games across all competitions, combining for a total of 1485 minutes.

The biggest strength of the Belgian international is his dribbling. He has a completed a total 1.6 dribbles per game and is a good passer of the ball too.

Defensively, he averages one tackle, interception and clearance per game.

Despite, his low numbers, Jordan Lukaku is only 23 and still has a lot of room to grow.

He has shown signs of improvement this season which have led to him cementing his spot in the starting lineup and further, receiving a call-up to the Belgium international team.

#3 Jordan Ayew

Crystal Palace v Swansea City - Premier League
Ayew has been Swansea's best player this season

Jordan Ayew is the younger brother of Andre Ayew. Just like his elder brother, Andre, Jordan also began his career at Marseille. He spent the majority of his career in France before making the move to England in 2015.

He spent a year and a half with Aston Villa and was signed up by Swansea City in 2017 and did not play a major contribution in Swansea's survival last season.

But, this season it has been the opposite and Ayew has been one of the difference makers for the previously struggling and now improved Swans.

Ayew has been deployed primarily on the left wing this campaign and has scored 10 goals and two assists in all competitions, averaging 1.6 shots per game.

He is good at earning set pieces too as he has been fouled 2.4 times in the Premier League.

Ayew is not shy about getting back and helping out defensively, as he averages two tackles per game.

He has been one of the key elements of Swansea City's attack as his goals have secured a major chunk of the points in the league.

Even when he is not scoring or assisting, his presence in the squad has been important as the Welsh team are unbeaten in their last eight PL matches.

#2 Ryan Sessegnon

Cardiff City v Fulham - The Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Sessegnon broke into the Fulham first team aged just 16

Ryan Sessegnon is the cousin of former Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion winger Stephane Sessegnon.

In August 2016, Sessegnon made history when he made his debut for Fulham at the age of only 16 years.

He made 25 appearances in the Championship scoring five goals and assisting thrice.

After his impressive debut campaign, the teenager became a prominent addition in the first team this season and was given the No.3 shirt before the commencement of the Championship.

This season, he has been an integral part of Fulham's attacking front playing on the left wing. He has made 35 appearances in the league, contributing with 14 goals and four assists, averaging 1.3 shots and key passes per game. His strengths are his passing and dribbling.

Although being a naturally left-sided winger, more than half of the Sessegnon's appearances in the Championship have come as a left-back but more than the major of his goals have come when he has played further forward.

But, he has done a decent job on the defensive end, averaging 1.7 tackles and 1.3 clearances per game.

The stellar performances of the 17-year-old wonderkid have attracted the attention of big name clubs such as Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United and he is destined to be a top target, bound to fetch a big price in the upcoming transfer window.

#1 Thorgan Hazard

Belgium v Gibraltar - FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier
Hazard has broken into the Belgian national team

Thorgan Hazard is the second son of the Hazard family and the younger brother of Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard. The 24-year-old was signed by Chelsea in 2012 following the signature of older brother Eden Hazard.

However, he failed to make an appearance for the Blues and was loaned out to his native Belgium and Germany.

The Belgian is naturally an attacking midfielder but can shift forward and play in the false nine/striker role.

In 2015, Borussia Monchengladbach made the loan deal of Hazard permanent. His first couple of seasons in the Bundesliga were a struggle as he was primarily used as a substitute.

This season is proving to be one of the best of Thorgan's career. He has already made 25 appearances in the Bundesliga, scoring seven goals and assisting four times.

He has been a significant part of Borussia's attack and personally averages, 2.8 shots and 2.2 key passes per game.

He plays his part defensively also, as he averages an impressive 1.5 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game.

The major strengths of the Gladbach No.10 are his passing, crossing and set-piece delivery and possess a threat on the counter-attack with his pace.

Just like his brother, he too is a good dribbler of the ball and likes to cut inside on his right foot.

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