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The full focus will be on it across the two days with no Champions League or Conference League action, a monster league with eight games each for the teams involved and an opportunity for several players to show their worth on the big stage – whether they be regular starters for non-elite teams, or those at bigger clubs ready to seize their chance in rotation. Here are five players to watch out for in the Europa League this season.
Mika Godts – Ajax
It has been far from a good year or so for the Dutch giants, who were in the relegation zone for a portion of last term before recovering, to an extent, and finishing fifth. This term hasn’t started a whole lot better – they’re ninth with games in hand – but as usual, in moments of distress come opportunities for younger talents.
One of those benefiting so far is attacking midfielder Mika Godts, a Belgian 19-year-old who has been a regular starter in the Eredivisie early on and bears watching on the bigger stage. His big strengths come in his first touch, his ability to manipulate the ball around challenges and in his willingness to run at defenders – 1.8 successful dribbles per 90 puts him above 72% of similar players in that regard, while his intent to attack is visible in 8.67 touches in the box a game. If he can add end product, he’s an exciting prospect indeed.
Victor Osimhen – Galatasaray
Did you forget? Yes, one of the world’s most feared centre-forwards will be appearing in the Europa League this season, at least until the new year. Victor Osimhen left Napoli for Galatasaray on loan and although he hasn’t scored yet for the Turkish Süper Lig side, he’ll no doubt fancy his chances against PAOK, Elfsborg and the like.
Not too much we need to add on the Nigerian: he’s fast, strong, has great technique, all the work rate and a whole lot of composure in front of goal. If he didn’t also have an enormous salary, he wouldn’t have moved to Galatasaray in the summer – but here he is.
Archie Gray – Tottenham
One of the Premier League’s representatives, Tottenham could well shuffle their pack somewhat in Europe as they bid to find the domestic results to return to the Champions League, and one of the players who could benefit from that with exposure to European action is midfielder Archie Gray.
The teenager was only signed from Leeds in the summer and is extremely highly regarded; an England youth international from U15 through to the U21s already, he’s in Ange Postecoglou’s rotational options off the bench in league play and at 18 he’s set for a big future. Part of that is giving him game time though and it’s likely to come in Europe this term in particular. Equally adept as ball-carrier, passer in chief and defensive protector, Gray has a wide array of skills to shine in the centre for Spurs, who themselves will hope to go deep in the competition.
Artem Dovbyk – AS Roma
Despite another unsettled period at Roma, where Daniele De Rossi was sacked and Ivan Jurić installed in his place just weeks into the season, there’s enough of a squad in place to really challenge the other big sides in the Europa League this term – especially given the prolific form of Artem Dovbyk.
The enormous Ukrainian striker shot to prominence with Girona last term, firing them to a top-three finish in LaLiga, and after making a late transfer window switch to Roma he has started in the same fashion: two goals in his last two in Serie A to suggest he’ll be the perfect man to lead the line and link well with Paulo Dybala in behind. The 27-year-old was above 95% of the Spanish top flight last term for xG (and actual goals), above 90% for shots on target, 92% for touches in the box and even 84% for tackles won per 90. Once Roma are up to speed, he’s the man to fire them towards the latter stages.
Alan Varela – Porto
Porto seem to have no problem rolling players off the talent line and finding new ones to take their place, be they signed in or produced from within – Alan Varela looks the latest, a 23-year-old midfielder who signed last year from Boca Juniors. They paid around €11m for him all told; that they will no doubt quadruple their money on him at a minimum seems a foregone conclusion, and it could go much higher.
A controlling central man from deep, he is averaging 1.35 chances created per 90 in the Primeira this term, a 92% pass completion rate and more touches per 90 minutes than 94% of the rest of the league. He’s a fine hub for everything the team do – don’t be surprised if he thrives in the Europa League and ends up on the shopping list for those in the top five divisions next summer, or even before.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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