Europe’s biggest clubs will all be on recon duty over the next few weeks.
The Summer Olympics brings another instalment of international football but with a significant twist. Due to squad rules and regulations, all 16 men’s sides competing for gold in Paris are comprised almost exclusively of under-23 stars.
Past winners of the competition include Lionel Messi, Neymar and Ferenc Puskas, with some incredible raw talent likely to be unearthed in 2024.
Here are some of the young stars who could well catch the eye in France.
Castello Lukeba (France)
France are among the favourites to triumph in Paris under the guidance of manager Thierry Henry, with Castello Lukeba among the players likely to shine brightest for Les Bleus. The RB Leipzig youngster is already an exceptional left-footed central defender and has even earned a single cap for France’s senior squad.
The athletic defender made the big-money move to the Bundesliga from Lyon in 2023 and is likely to have even more suitors come the end of the Olympics. After all, there is a reason why the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have already expressed interest in the 21-year-old, who featured 41 times for Leipzig last term.
Desire Doue (France)
Desire Doue may not have been a name familiar to many outside of France before the summer transfer window, but there is a good chance that the versatile midfielder-cum-forward is plying his trade for one of Europe’s elite clubs by the beginning of next season.
The 19-year-old winger sparkled for Rennes last season with four goals and five assists in Ligue 1, prompting the likes of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain to sit up and take notice. A strong outing at a home tournament could add a some digits to his already expensive €60m price tag.
Rayan Cherki (France)
A wonderkid from a young age, Rayan Cherki hasn’t quite fulfilled expectations as of yet. The Lyon attacking midfielder is an outstanding talent full of potential, flair and trickery, but is yet to take his game to the next level and secure a move to one of the continent’s giants.
He was strongly linked with a move to Chelsea last summer and will still be on the radar of the Blues and others. A positive Olympics campaign will certainly do his chances of a big move no harm.
Caleb Wiley (United States)
Caleb Wiley has already made his move to the Premier League, with relentless recruiters Chelsea signing the former Atlanta United left-back for £8.5m this summer.
Whether he will be immediately shipped out on loan remains to be seen – a stint at Strasbourg seems probable – but Blues supporters and Enzo Maresca will be keeping a keen eye on his progress over the coming weeks.
The United States defender will come up against an exciting France squad in Group A and the 19-year-old will be aiming to impress under the spotlight.
Claudio Echeverri (Argentina)
Manchester City have regularly sniffed out the best South American talent in recent years and Claudio Echeverri appears to be another excellent recruit. The Premier League champions spent £12.5m on the youngster hailed as ‘the next Messi’, with the attacking midfielder having shone for Argentina’s youth teams.
His experience at the elite level is far from substantial, but eight goal contributions in 29 River Plate appearances is not bad for a teenager. The 19-year-old will be aiming to impress Pep Guardiola before the new campaign.
Ezequiel Fernandez (Argentina)
Ezequiel Fernandez has long been admired by Europe’s top teams but his career path appears to be heading in an unorthodox direction. Previously linked with Arsenal, the Argentina defensive midfielder may be heading to Saudi Arabia instead.
One of many stars of the Boca Juniors academy, the 21-year-old would perhaps be wise to steer clear of the Saudi Pro League trap, especially given the immense potential he has shown in his homeland.
Danylo Sikan (Ukraine)
The majority of Ukraine’s top young talents travelled to Euro 2024 earlier this summer but one who stayed behind was Danylo Sikan. The 23-year-old has made seven appearances for the senior squad but is now representing the Olympics team in Paris.
The young striker has been a regular provider of goals for Shakhtar Donetsk over recent seasons with 27 in just under a century of matches. In the 2023/24 Champions League group stage, Sikan netted four times in six appearances, including strikes against Barcelona and Porto.
Pau Cubarsi (Spain)
It’s fair to say Pau Cubarsi is not a talent set to be unearthed at the Olympics. The Barca centre-back has already won favour with some remarkable performances for the Catalan giants, including impressive displays in both La Liga and the Champions League.
The 17-year-old almost made it into Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad earlier this summer but was cut from the preliminary side. Regardless, the composed starlet has the ability to claim glory with his country at the Olympics.
Fermin Lopez (Spain)
La Masia has no limits when it comes to producing exceptional young prospects, with Fermin Lopez another off the conveyor belt. The 21-year-old has already won Euro 2024 this summer and is targeting an international double when travelling to Paris.
Lopez only made one appearance for Spain in Germany but produced some impressive numbers for Barca last season. 11 goals across all competitions has interested Man Utd, but the Spaniard is set to stay with La Blaugrana.
Samu Omorodion (Spain)
A name familiar to Football Manager fans, Samu Omorodion has also occupied the gossip columns this transfer window. Chelsea reportedly bid £34.4m for the striker a month ago off the back of the 20-year-old’s eight-goal campaign for Alaves last term.
The speedy centre-forward is actually an Atletico Madrid player despite being yet to don their jersey and could earn the Spanish side a small fortune this summer. Leading the line for La Roja at the Olympics will be a good way to secure a lucrative switch.
Group D
Diego Gomez (Paraguay)
Playing alongside Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets means Diego Gomez is unlikely to be the centre of attention, but he is quietly blossoming into an outstanding player for Inter Miami. The 21-year-old midfielder has shone in Major League Soccer, with five goals and four assists for the Herons to date.
Gomez missed out on Copa America action with Paraguay due to an ankle injury and will be looking to make amends in Paris. Clubs in search of an all-action midfielder should be taking notes.
Julio Enciso (Paraguay)
A Premier League Goal of the Season winner in 2022/23, Julio Enciso is Paraguay’s great hope of a new generation. The Brighton star would have kicked on last season if it wasn’t for injury, but has the chance to remind audiences of his potential at the Olympics.
The 20-year-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder or winger, already has 17 caps for the senior team and featured in all three of Paraguay’s matches at this summer’s Copa America.
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