UEFA Champions League 2018/2019: 5 U-23 stars to watch out for

After a few months’ hiatus, the UEFA Champions League will return next weekend. Although a lot of qualifiers have already been played, the main course begins next week.

The groupings have been made, the transfer market has been concluded and everything looks set for another rollercoaster season.

All eyes will be on Real Madrid and how the defending champions cope with the losses of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane. Madrid is not the only big side under new management though (PSG, Borussia Dortmund are others).

This season’s UCL will see the return of some old favourites like Inter Milan and Valencia after a few years out of the competition. With the amount of transfer money spent by clubs on players, it is expected to be one of the most competitive in history.

As always, the players will be the main stars of the show. There is now a genuinely large group of players aged 23 or below who have become legitimate stars in their clubs, some of them may play starring roles in this season's UCL.

Here is a look at 5 such youngsters who may shine brightly this season:

#5 Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund)

Pulisic may be decisive for BVB in the UCL

The most promising talent to emerge from the United States in a while, Pulisic’s career has been on an upward trajectory ever since he made his debut for Dortmund in January 2016.

The 19-year-old like most players with his type of physique is a diminutive player blessed with skills, pace, close control and the ability to make things happen.

Possessing pace for days, his style of dribbling relies more on speed than body movement. His biggest strength is his clever use of space mixed with a running style designed for forward momentum at all times. It will be of benefit to Lucien Favre’s team as they seek to navigate a tough group which includes Atletico Madrid

The upheaval at the Signal-Iduna did him no favours last season: in 42 games, he scored a paltry 5 goals and made 7 assists. He has started one game so far this season as Marco Reus has been preferred by coach Favre.

However, Pulisic is highly regarded by everyone at Dortmund. If Die Schwarzgelben (The Black and Yellows) are to do anything in this season’s Champions League, he could play a key role. He has appeared in 15 UCL games recording a solitary goal and 3 assists

#4 Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax Amsterdam)

De

Ligt

is one of the defenders to watch this season

He is undoubtedly one of the best young defenders in world football today. De Ligt has been on the radar for a lot of big teams in Europe. This edition of the UEFA Champions League looks to be an audition for him.

His rise has been meteoric since he made his debut in 2016. He is now an established starter for both club and national team; Oranje of Netherlands.

The 19-year-old is accomplished passer of the ball. Despite his young age, managers have entrusted him with the responsibility of playing out from the back. This responsibility is one he has taken on and delivered brilliantly.

For a modern defender, passing is important. However, tackling and intercepting the ball are also very important elements of a centre-back’s game. These are aspects that De Ligt has also excelled at.

As is the case with many young defenders, De Ligt’s judgment could use some work. Sometimes, he tends to misjudge the timing of tackles and long passes over the top which have led to goals on some occasions. However, these are normal for a young defender and he will get better as he gains more experience.

He was an ever-present for de Godenzonen (Sons of the Gods) last season as Ajax finished second in the Eredivisie. He will play a key role as Ajax seeks to navigate a not-so-bad Group E (includes Bayern Munich, Benfica, and AEK Athens).

This will be his debut UCL appearance; big things are expected from him.

#3 Leroy Sané (Manchester City)

Sané's pace may be of huge importance to Guardiola

It has been a curious start to the season for Sané. The young German was on fire last season propelling the Cityzens to the Premier League title. He also picked up the award for the Best Young Player in the league.

However, his omission from Germany’s World Cup team seems to have affected him. He has had a lukewarm start to the season and was dropped by Pep Guardiola for the game against Newcastle.

This state of affairs is not expected to last though as Sané is simply too talented to be left out forever. A mesmerizing dribbler whose babyish mien hides a fierce competitor, Sané is a fast winger who can be effective across various attacking positions. He possesses a great goalscoring knack and registers his fair share of assists.

In the UEFA Champions League, his pace and directness may help unlock stubborn defences. His ability to draw defenders out will be a weapon Guardiola will be eager to use. The Cityzens have been placed in a tasty Group F. Against Shakhtar Donetsk, Olympique Lyon, and TSG Hoffenheim; Sané may show his quality when given the chance.

He has made 14 UCL appearances in his career scoring thrice and making 4 assists.

#2 Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)

Madrid's wonderboy looks set to shine brightly

Finally, the UEFA Champions League will get to see the 90-minute version of Asensio this season. A bit-part player in the last two campaigns for Los Merengues, the 22-year-old’s status has changed.

The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo means an attacking role has been freed up. New manager Julen Lopetegui seems enamoured with the Mallorca-born player.

He may play a key role in Real’s pursuit of its 14th UEFA Champions League title, 4th in 4 years. Quick-footed, deceptively strong with an eye for a pass and a scorer of spectacular long-range shots from outside the penalty area, Asensio is very calm for his age and doesn’t seem to rush into taking decisions while on the field of play.

Capable of playing on both flanks or behind the main striker, his versatility made him a potent off-the-bench weapon under Zinedine Zidane. Now a key member of the new waves at both club and national level, the 2018/2019 season looks set to feel the full force of Asensio’s talent.

Real Madrid is expected to go deep in the tournament (or even defend it successfully). An easy looking Group G (AS Roma, Viktoria Plzen & Spartak Moscow) may see Asensio start the UEFA Champions League on a good note.

Asensio has appeared 20 times in the UCL. In this time, he has scored 4 goals and created 2 assists.

#1 Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Already the world's best youngster, Mbappe will be backing himself to shine brightly again

There is no doubt as who the best teenager in world football is. The 19-year-old confirmed his brilliance at the World Cup where he won the trophy and the Best Young Player award.

Now into his second season as a bonafide star, big things are expected of the teenager. With new manager Thomas Tuchel well aware of the club’s expectations, Mbappe will be one of the stars he will be looking to count on.

Blessed with searing pace, amazing dribbles and an ability to finish like a more experienced player, he has the tools needed to become the best player in the world. To show just how ridiculous Mbappé’s ascent has been, it beggars belief to note that this will be his third season as a professional footballer.

Alongside Neymar and Edinson Cavani, he will carry PSG’s UEFA Champions League hopes on his broad shoulders. The Parisians have been given a very tough group to navigate. They will take on Liverpool FC, SSC Napoli and Red Star Belgrade in Group C.

In just two editions of the UEFA Champions League, Mbappe has hit 10 goals and has created 5 assists in 19 matches. Nobody will be betting against him increasing the tally this season.