UEFA Nations League: 11 young stars to keep an eye on in the semi-finals

Celtic v RB Leipzig - UEFA Europa League - Group B
Celtic v RB Leipzig - UEFA Europa League - Group B

Midfield: Frenkie De Jong, 21, Netherlands & Barcelona

Willem II v Ajax - Dutch Toto KNVB Cup Final
Willem II v Ajax - Dutch Toto KNVB Cup Final

Another product of Ajax's famous youth academy, Frenkie De Jong is expected to star during the Netherlands' Nations League matches this month.

Likened to Sergio Busquets (the man many feel he was purchased to replace), this composed Dutch midfielder is expected to go on to become one of world football's brightest stars, meaning Barcelona was more than willing to cough up the £67.50 million transfer fee Ajax demanded for his signature.

He was a near ever-present for de Godenzonen as they fought their way to a league and cup double, and is one of those players who always seems to have time on the ball, rarely gives possession away, and is much feistier than his angelic demeanor suggests.

Definitely one to watch tomorrow night when England do battle with the Netherlands.

Right-wing: Jadon Sancho, 19, England & Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg
Borussia Dortmund v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg

Second only to Kylian Mbappe, Jadon Sancho was involved in more goals than any other young star across all of Europe's top leagues this season. Dortmund snapped him up for peanuts when he opted not to renew his contract at Manchester City, and he has done nothing but set the world alight since.

He scored 12 goals and assisted 17 in the Bundesliga this season, and put in some very accomplished displays on the right flank in the Champions League, too.

Gareth Southgate gave him his first full cap for England just last year and, along with Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi, Sancho is expected to become the key creative outlet in an England side that has so often lacked exactly that.

His pace, change of acceleration, trickery, vision, and sheer numbers have prompted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United into action, and they are reported to have made an approach for him earlier in the summer.

However, it seems that Sancho is keen to play in the Champions League and has no interest in joining another EPL club, so it's expected that he will line up in black and yellow again next season, fortunately for Dortmund fans.

Midfield: Ruben Neves, 22, Portugal & Wolverhampton Wanderers

Portugal vs the USA - International Friendly
Portugal vs the USA - International Friendly

Ruben Neves was a huge part of the success story that was Wolverhampton Wanderers' EPL campaign during the 18/19 season. Signed from FC Porto for a now bargain £9 million, his composure on the ball, ability to read the game, long-range shooting, and positional sense was key to Wolves' 7th place finish in their first season back in the top flight.

The 22-year-old has already made 10 appearances for the Portuguese national side and is expected to appear against Switzerland later this evening.

Though we did give due consideration to England's Declan Rice for this position, it was decided that Neves' superior creative prowess and ability to score spectacular goals should see him make the final cut ahead of his EPL counterpart.

There have been tentative links with Manchester United during the early stages of this transfer window, but we expect to see Neves lining up alongside countrymen Joao Moutinho, Diogo Jota, Rui Patricio, et al at Molineux once again next season.

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