Rising Stars: The Top Young Football Talents Outside Europe’s Elite Leagues in 2021-22
Young footballers often attract immense attention from fans and pundits alike, but the brightest prospects outside the traditional powerhouse leagues can sometimes fly under the radar. While players in the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, and Ligue 1 dominate headlines, there is a wealth of emerging talent flourishing elsewhere in Europe. Focusing on players under 23 years old, this guide profiles standout young footballers impressing outside the continent’s top five competitions during the 2021-22 season, explores their playing styles and achievements, and considers their ideal future moves.
Defining the Scope: What Counts as a Young Star Outside the Top Five?
For the purposes of this overview, “Europe’s top five leagues” refers to England’s Premier League, Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A, and France’s Ligue 1. Any player performing outside these competitions and under 23 years old qualifies for consideration. The selections below are based on a mix of performance data and broad fan recommendations during the 2021-22 campaign.
James Garner: Midfield Maestro on Loan
James Garner, at just 21, enjoyed a breakthrough campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest from Manchester United. Serving as a key driver in Forest’s push for promotion in the Championship, the versatile midfielder registered 4 goals and 6 assists over 38 games. Garner’s adaptability stands out—he can operate as a deep-lying ‘number 6’, a box-to-box midfielder (‘number 8’), or take on creative duties as a ‘number 10’.
Statistically, Garner contributed an average of 1.9 key passes and 3.3 tackles plus interceptions per match, highlighting his value at both ends of the pitch. His tactical awareness and composure in possession make him a candidate for Manchester United’s midfield or, should he look elsewhere, a natural replacement for Conor Gallagher at Crystal Palace. Burnley could also benefit from his range of passing and defensive work rate. If Forest achieve promotion, extending Garner’s stay could prove essential for their Premier League ambitions.
Karim Adeyemi: Salzburg’s Explosive Attacker
Karim Adeyemi’s reputation has soared thanks to his energetic attacking displays for RB Salzburg in Austria. The 20-year-old forward netted 17 goals in 26 league appearances and has already featured for the German national team under Hansi Flick. Unlike many traditional strikers, Adeyemi combines rapid pace, excellent balance, and sharp dribbling—all in a compact 5’11” frame that lets him navigate and burst out of crowded situations.
Though likened to Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland, Adeyemi’s style is uniquely his own, with an instinct for dynamic movement and pressing from the front. His ability to finish powerfully, whether leading the line or buzzing around as a supporting attacker, has attracted interest from top clubs, especially Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. Should he consider a move, Dortmund’s emphasis on young talent and attacking freedom could offer an ideal next step.
Djed Spence: Dynamic Right-Sided Defender
Djed Spence, another 21-year-old starlet, has made headlines as a rampaging wing-back for Nottingham Forest. Over 36 matches, Spence delivered 2 goals and 4 assists, but his real impact lies in his game-changing runs, relentless stamina, and flair on the ball. His impressive skill set has kept strong competition out of the lineup and helped define Forest’s aggressive 3-4-1-2 system.
Clubs seeking to upgrade their wing-back options—such as Tottenham Hotspur under Antonio Conte or Brentford, with their similar tactical structure—would do well to scout Spence. However, Forest’s balanced approach this season has allowed Spence to thrive, both supporting the attack and maintaining defensive responsibility. Whether at his parent club Middlesbrough or in the top flight, his trajectory seems set for continued growth.
Jurriën Timber: Ajax’s Emerging Defensive Leader
Having quickly established himself as a core figure in Ajax’s backline, 20-year-old Jurriën Timber is now one of Europe’s most coveted young defenders outside the big leagues. Developed under Erik ten Hag, Timber is equally adept at center-back or right-back, and renowned for his progressive passing and ability to carry the ball out from defense. His natural speed and anticipation allow him to recover behind a high line with ease.
Timber’s maturity and comfort on the ball mark him as an ideal fit for sides striving to build from the back, such as Manchester United, who have already been strongly linked due to ten Hag’s appointment as manager. Whether in Manchester or elsewhere, Timber looks primed to anchor a top defense for years to come.
Fabio Carvalho: Fulham’s Creative Spark
Portuguese-born English midfielder Fabio Carvalho enjoyed a breakout season in the Championship with Fulham. At just 19 years old, he contributed 9 goals and 7 assists across 34 games, driving Fulham’s promotion push. A natural ‘number 10’, Carvalho dazzles with close control, vision, and a knack for arriving in goal-scoring positions.
After being snapped up by Liverpool for the following season, Carvalho faces fierce competition for minutes at Anfield. Given his preferred attacking midfield role—which doesn’t neatly exist in Liverpool’s current structure—a season-long loan back to Fulham could accelerate his development, letting him hone his talents before making a sustained impact in the Premier League.
Darwin Núñez: Benfica’s Multi-Faceted Forward
Darwin Núñez has turned heads across Europe thanks to his remarkable scoring exploits for Benfica in Portugal. The 22-year-old Uruguayan striker hit 25 goals and 4 assists in 26 league appearances, plus 6 goals in 10 Champions League fixtures, showing his ability to deliver at the highest level.
Standing at 6’2”, Núñez possesses pace, aerial ability, and deft footwork. Unconventional for a classic target man, he brings the mobility to stretch defenses and the finishing prowess with both feet and head. While not heavily involved in Benfica’s build-up, his impact in the final third is undeniable. Several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle United, have monitored him, with the latter potentially offering the most logical transition based on current squad roles.
Honourable Mentions: Other Young Talents to Watch
In addition to the main list, several other promising young footballers have been widely recognized for their performances this season:
- Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax)
- Charles De Ketelaere (Club Brugge)
- Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge)
- Cody Gakpo (PSV Eindhoven)
Summary: Europe’s Next Generation of Breakout Stars
The 2021-22 season has brought remarkable performances from a host of talents outside Europe’s highest-profile leagues. Whether they remain to spark success for their current sides or secure big moves to new clubs, these players are shaping up as the continent’s brightest prospects for the years ahead. Keep an eye on their progress as they continue to evolve and make their mark on the football world.
