The thrill stays the same as the world advances into 2022. The year ahead offers plenty of activity in club football as well as the World Cup. Fans will be able to see the game’s biggest stars in action as a result of this. Along with the cream of the crop, a few up-and-coming footballers should be kept in mind.
Many outstanding young players were presented in 2021, and they are likely to have the world at their feet in a few years. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 most promising young people (aged 21 or under) to keep an eye on in 2022.
Kaio Jorge: Juventus
When Kaio Jorge made his debut for Santos in 2018, he became the club’s sixth-youngest player. At the moment, he was 16 years and 240 days old. Kaio scored 17 goals in 84 appearances for the club that has produced stars such as Neymar and Pele.
At the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, the striker was a member of the Brazilian national squad. He led the Selecao to the title on home soil, scoring five goals and providing an assist in the process. For his actions, he was awarded the Bronze Boot.
Jorge joined Juventus ahead of the 2021-22 season. He has failed to score a goal in his nine appearances for Juventus. However, he has already demonstrated his ability with the U-23s, scoring in his first game in Serie C.
Valentino Livramento: Southampton
In the summer of 2021, Southampton signed Valentino Livramento from Chelsea. In 2020-21, Livramento was voted Chelsea Academy Player of the Year. He also has a £25 million buy-back option with the Blues.
Livramento has only missed five minutes of action for the Saints all season and has scored once. Livramento wins 56 percent of his tackles and recovers nearly nine balls every game. In each game, Livramento throws more than one accurate long ball. As a result, he stands out as a full-fledged winger. The only way Livramento can go in 2022 is up if he stays consistent and injury-free.
Jurrien Timber: Ajax
Jurrien Timber is another promising center-back from the Ajax youth system. Timber’s stats have been outstanding in the league this season.
This season, he has already scored twice and assisted once in the league. On the ball, Timber has exceptional skill. He throws nearly 78 passes per game and completes a whopping 93 percent of them. Timber also has a total of seven progressive carries and five progressive passes every game. In Ajax’s possession system, this qualifies him as a sweeper.
Ricardo Pepi: FC Dallas
In 2021, the American striker had a memorable year. In 31 games with FC Dallas in the MLS, Pepi scored 13 goals. In the USMNT’s World Cup qualifying campaign, he scored three times in seven games.
He was named to the MLS All-Star team this year for his contributions. He was also named MLS Young Player of the Year. Pepi’s talent has already been recognized by MLS and international clubs.
Ryan Gravenberch: Ajax
Ryan Gravenberch, another graduate of Ajax’s illustrious program, is quickly establishing himself as one of Europe’s top young players. In Erik ten Hag’s high-energy possession system, Gravenberch has thrived.
The Dutchman has continued his strong form for Ajax this season. Gravenberch completes 86 percent of his passes, including 5.74 progressive passes per game, despite only scoring once.
In addition, he averages seven progressive carries a game and more than 2.5 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes. This demonstrates the amount of energy he can provide from deep in the midfield.
Noni Madueke: PSV Eindhoven
Noni Madueke, a rising English talent, moved to PSV Eindhoven in 2019. The former Tottenham Hotspur academy player has continued his strong form for the first team after shining for the young team.
He’s off to a good start this season, with six goals in 18 games. Madueke’s versatility and passing abilities make him a valuable weapon in the attacking third, as well as one of the greatest young players in the world. He can play as a winger or as an offensive midfielder. As a result, if Madueke maintains his current form, the big teams in Europe will be calling him soon.
Karim Adeyemi: RB Salzburg
Adeyemi is currently one of Europe’s most promising young players. The striker, a product of the RB Salzburg system, has been on fire this season. In 2021-22, Adeyemi is the highest scorer in the Austrian Bundesliga.
In only 17 games in the Austrian Bundesliga, he has already scored 14 goals (once every 96 minutes). In only 23 games this season, he has scored 17 goals in all competitions.
It won’t be long before Adeyemi’s name appears among the world’s most lethal strikers, assuming he maintains his goal-scoring record. Bayern Munich has already expressed interest in the 19-year-old, demonstrating that he is making the right noises across Europe.
Gavi: FC Barcelona
Gavi, the list’s youngest player, was a prodigal discovery for Barcelona in 2021. Gavi has one goal and three assists in 16 games for Barcelona this season in La Liga.
He also played four times for Spain. Gavi made history by being the youngest player to play for the senior national team at an international level. Gavi is a complete midfielder with a level of skill on the ball that belies his age.
He carries the ball seven times and dribbles more than 1.6 times per game. In addition, he averages over 22 pressures per game and closes to three tackles and interceptions every game.
Florian Wirtz: Bayer Leverkeusen
For Bayer Leverkusen, the prodigal German has been a revelation in the attack. On and off the field, he exhibits qualities that ridicule his age.
In all competitions this season, he has scored 10 goals and supplied eight assists. This year, he set several records, including becoming the youngest player in Bundesliga history to score 10 goals and appear in 50 games.
Dominik Szoboszlai: RB Leipzig
Szoboszlai, another Bundesliga rising star, shone for club and country in 2021. The Hungarian joined RB Leipzig in the January transfer window of 2021 but was unable to play a single game due to injuries last season.
He’s been in fantastic form this season. In 22 appearances in all competitions, Szoboszlai has contributed 11 goals. In Hungary’s World Cup qualifying campaign, he scored twice in eight games.
Read: Top 10 most valuable football players of La Liga in 2022
