Players to watch out for in Europe in 2025
2025-01-02
Category: sports

As we look ahead to another year of drama, brilliance and controversy across European football, who will be the names we are talking about?While we know players like Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr will still be starring, it will no doubt prove to be a big 12 months for plenty of other players too.European football experts Guillem Balague, Julien Laurens and Raphael Honigstein picked out some of their players to watch on BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues.
Players you've heard of set for a big 2025
Omar MarmoushClub: Eintracht Frankfurt Age: 25 Nationality: Egyptian Position: ForwardHonigstein: "He is really dynamic, a wide forward who can play through the middle. "Some people have compared him to Mohamed Salah, perhaps not as tricky or as explosive but his finishing is incredible. "He came to Germany aged 18 and for six years we didn't think he would set the world alight, but this season he explodes and we are now talking about 80m euros for him. "There is a big move ahead for him. It is very unlikely Frankfurt will keep him and he is going to be a superstar. He would be a great buy for any team - there will be a lot of competition for him."
Martin ZubimendiClub: Real Sociedad Age: 25 Nationality: Spanish Position: MidfieldBalague: "He turned down Liverpool and was a star of the moment of the season when he replaced Rodri at half-time for Spain in the Euro final. England exploded with happiness when Rodri went off but he is perhaps, after Rodri, the best holding midfielder in the world."I was told everything was done with Liverpool but he decided personally not to leave. Now three months into the season he is ready to go. When Manchester City want a replacement for Rodri, that is the guy to look for. Barca would like him but don't have the money and he is ready to leave now."He is not the strongest or fastest but he reads the game so well and leads the team. He understands the role perfectly. I don't think Liverpool will go back, although Zubimendi is a different level to Ryan Gravenberch. I know Man City like him a lot. And teams with 60m euros? He can only go to the Premier League. Chelsea don't need him, Manchester United maybe?"
Angelo StillerClub: Stuttgart Age: 23 Nationality: German Position: MidfieldHonigstein: "Talking of controlling midfielders and Man City, these are the type of links being made because of his output. You don't necessarily notice him but he is the guy that makes everything happen."These guys used to be the 'water carriers' and did the dirty work, now it is different because they touch the ball a million times and you need a guy like this. He is still very young, still growing. He came from Bayern and is a player who in the summer or next year, if he doesn't continue at Stuttgart, we will see a very big move for him."
Under-23 players you might know - but might not
Maghnes AklioucheClub: Monaco Age: 22 Nationality: French Position: WingerLaurens: "He caught the eye of a lot of people. I was at France v Austria under-21s recently and all the scouts were there for him, German and English. He is 23 in February, made his debut at 18. "Against PSG in Ligue 1 the other week he was outstanding. Paris born and bred. That left foot and vision, and energy - he never stops running, wonderful on the right-hand side. Assisting, creative, outstanding to see him playing in the Champions League."It is about making the right decision for the next club, because that step up depends very much where you go. A lot of young players make the wrong decision. Thierry Henry is a big fan - he coached him at the Olympics. Gael Clichy, the under-21s coach, also massively rates him. "I would not be surprised in March if he is in the France squad for the Nations League. Spain he would do well, but the Premier League is where the money is and where football suits him the most. He would do so well with his fitness level, especially at a really good team."
Nico PazClub: Como Age: 20 Nationality: Argentine Position: MidfieldLaurens: "There is that buy-back clause from Real Madrid but I don't think we expected him to be that good - arriving at Como, who had just been promoted to Serie A with Cesc Fabregas as the new coach."But Paz has been amazing, he is a left-footed playmaker. His creativity, ball control, vision and elegance is great. He is only 20 and has taken Serie A by storm. It was a great coup for Como to sign him and a no-brainer for Real Madrid to bring him back home. He is already ready for a bigger club. An incredible revelation, who has now been called up by Argentina, so that is how good he is."Balague: "He is what Real Madrid need. They need someone to organise the attack and drive with the ball, and he can do all of that. He reminds me of Fernando Redondo, the Real Madrid legend. He has got absolutely everything. A couple of goals, assists and leader of that midfield. "He does it with such elegance for a big guy. He has the leadership and Real Madrid can bring him back for 8m euros this summer, and I would be surprised if they don't."
The youngsters to watch out for
Paul WannerClub: Heidenheim (on loan from Bayern Munich) Age: 19 Nationality: German-Austrian Position: MidfieldHonigstein: "Very highly-rated and a breakthrough season for him. He had the talent but it was hard to be noticed in Bundesliga 2, playing on loan at Elversberg last season. Now on loan at Heidenheim, a team who plays in the Conference League. "He sticks out because he scores goals, turns up between the lines, is a number 10 who can play out wide. He dribbles past players and is really exciting. He looks like he will develop the resilience and toughness you need. It is a great education journey for him in Bundesliga 2 and then the Bundesliga."There is a real tussle between the German FA and the Austrian FA, because he has one parent from each. On the one hand he could play with Jamal Musiala for Germany or he could be the new David Alaba, the Austrian superstar. There is talk Dortmund are interested - but it would be really hard for Bayern to sell him."
Joan MartinezTeam: Real Madrid Age: 17 Nationality: Spanish Position: DefenceBalague: "He is just 17 and was signed by Real Madrid in 2023 from Levante. He was training with Real Madrid Castilla, then in a twist of destiny Real Madrid's fifth choice centre-back got injured just before their pre-season tour, so he got a call to go on tour. "The club had to very quickly sort out a passport, his parents had to go to a police station to allow him to work in a foreign country and he had to ask the kit manufacturer to make more boots for him. "He went and he came on to play against AC Milan and was outstanding. Carlo Ancelotti said he is staying, then he got injured and did his cruciate ligament. But they renewed his contract and think he is going to be the new Sergio Ramos. He has got everything to succeed at Real Madrid."