Five young players to watch out for at the African Cup of Nations

Modified Jan 04, 2017 08:25 GMT

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Ramadan Sobhi of Stoke City (32) shoots at goal which leads to an own goal by Alfie Mawson of Swansea City (not pictured) for their second goal during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Swansea City at Bet365 Stadium on October 31, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) — Ramadan Sobhi has been settling well into the Stoke team after his £5m move from Al Ahly

#2) Franck Kessie – Ivory Coast (Atalanta)

MILAN, ITALY - DECEMBER 17: Suso of AC Milan is challenged by Franck Kessie of Atalanta BC during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 17, 2016 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) — Franck Kessie has attracted the attention of several top European clubs with his performances for Atalanta this season

One of the most exciting young talents in football, not just the Cup of Nations, 20-year-old Kessie’s star continues to rise with every passing season. An emphatic midfielder, who loves to dribble with the ball at his feet and beat opposition players as much as he enjoys using his strength to break up attacks, his goalscoring exploits make him a complete package.

This season alone, he has netted 7 in 17 appearances for his club, prompting transfer speculation from Newcastle to Inter Milan and many others in between. Definitely, a sparkling talent to watch out for, Kessie could rise higher in the footballing ranks with his national squad who he debuted for at the age of 17.