20 Young Ballers Due to Take Over in 2023
Respect the come-up, because before you know it...these ballers will be global superstars.
It’s that time of year again. The time where the VERSUS team talks you through some of the best young talent in the game. The players who are set to break records, score hat-tricks on their senior international debuts and have the likes of Mbappé and Wililamson thinking they’re dusted. Those once-in-a-generation-type ballers who everyone, even your Nan, will recognise come the end of 2023. This year sees us travel from Manchester to Monaco, Scotland to Southern States, and back again. Danish Dynamos, Spanish Starlets and Brighton Bulldozers all feature in our list for 2023.
There are plenty of names out there that deserve to be spotlighted alongside your household Hemps and mainstream Bellinghams, so sit back, pour yourself a Bovril and take a look at some of the youngsters we think are going to make 2023 theirs.
Picks made by Amie Cripps, Mayowa Quadri and Morgan Allan.
1. Liel Abada
Club: Celtic
Age: 21
Position: Ring Wing
Liel Abada has been setting things alight North of the border. Just 21-years-old, the nine-time Israeli international has quickly become a fan favourite at Celtic Park. Direct with the ball and possessing a confident finish, the attacking midfielder won the 2021/22 Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year in his first season as one of the Bhoys. Amid heavy competition for places in Ange Postecoglou’s side, the young man has earned an impressive 39 goal contributions since his move to Glasgow 18 months ago. Premier League clubs are already beginning to circle, make sure not to sleep on Liel Abada.
2. Nicole Arcangeli
Club: Juventus
Age: 19
Position: Forward
Arcangeli topped the goal scoring table during the WU19 Euro finals in Czechia to join an elite club of clinicians that included: Melvine Malard, Patri Guijarro, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Stina Blackstenius and Vivianne Miedema. If that doesn’t classify Arcangeli as a fox in the box, we don’t know what does. Her performance earned a promotion to Juve’s first-team squad, where she made two senior appearances in 2022. Currently on loan to Parma, the forward is one of the hardest players to dispossess and can also play out on the wing. Versatile doesn’t quite cut it for NA, but labels aren’t applicable when your talent is indefinable.
3. Roony Bardghji
Club: Copenhagen
Age: 17
Position: Right Wing
Roony is the real deal. Having made his debut last season, the Swedish U21 international established himself in a Copenhagen side that would become Danish champions. A feat Ronny contributed to, without question. Two goals in seven league appearances were also paired with a brace of appearances in the Europa League. This season, he has already taken things to another level by eclipsing his goal return with three goals in nine appearances. Not to mention featuring in Champions League fixtures, too. If Copenhagen are to retain their championship title, expect Roony to be a pivotal player in that journey.
4. Esmee Brugts
Club: PSV
Age: 19
Position: Attacking midfielder
19-years-old and already a PSV regular. Esmee Brugts is one of the best players to come out of Holland since their all-time top goalscorer Vivianne Miedema. The WU17 Euros runner-up made her senior debut against France in February last year, two months later she scored her first senior goal in a World Cup qualifier against Cyprus. Got some serious minutes under her belt during last summer’s record-breaking European Championships but it was her goal against Iceland after the tournament that had the Orange Lionesses roaring. The super-sub’s goal in added time sealed Holland’s WC spot, meaning the 2019 finalists have another shot at claiming the biggest prize in football. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, but Brugts was made for the big leagues.
5. Mohamed-Ali Cho
Club: Real Sociedad
Age: 18
Position: Right Wing
When Mohamed-Ali Cho signed for Angers in 2020, he became France’s second youngest professional footballer. First place? Eduardo Camavinga. If that’s any indication of his talent going forward, Cho is in for an exciting career. A determined ball-carrier who can play on either wing, the Parisian was snapped up by high-flying Real Sociedad last summer and is battling to earn his spot in Imanol Alguacil’s starting XI. Despite being born in the French capital and playing for Les Bleus’ U21 side, Cho is a name in demand on the international stage. Eligible to represent England, Morocco and Cote D’Ivoire as well, the battle for a future star is on.
6. Corventina
Club: Lyon
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Melchie Daëlle Dumorna aka Corventina, is one of the most sought after youngsters in football. A talented midfielder with an eye for playmaking and scoring, this is a name you’ll be hearing a lot of in 2023. Represented Haiti at U15, U17 and U20 CONCACAF tournaments, and was awarded Best Young Player at last year’s senior competition – picking up a spot in the Best XI alongside two-time World Cup winner Alex Morgan. Age is nothing but a number and Coventina is living proof. At just 14-years-old, she was granted special permission to play in the U20 Women’s World Cup, where she caught the attention of Reims’ manager Amandine Mique. Fast-forward four years, and she’s now playing for the top-flight French side with eight-time Champions League winners Lyon.
7. Levi Colwill
Club: Brighton (on loan from Chelsea)
Age: 19
Position: Centre-Back
Already finding his feet comfortably in the Premier League, 2023 is all about elevation for Levi. His appearances at Brighton have gained him more fans due to his elegance on the ball, composure and ability to simply get stuck in. Although only 19-years-old, Colwill plays the game like a seasoned vet. His home club Chelsea will be watching his development closely, as will other potential suitors, who will no doubt try and tempt him with the offering of first-team football.
8. Désiré Doué
Club: Rennes
Age: 17
Position: Attacking Mid
After making his professional debut last year, Désiré is looking to become the talent Rennes have always known he would be. The French side picked this young baller up at the age of five. In June last year, he became an Under-17 European Champion with France. In August, he scored his first professional goal, and in October, he netted his first in the Europa League. Most of his outings at senior level have been as a substitute, but the only ‘super’ this boy is, is a superstar. Expect him to be running games just for fun this year.
9. Laurina Fazer
Club: PSG
Age: 9
Position: Midfielder
Fazer was voted the French league’s best young player last season and captained France to the quarter-finals of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in the summer. Might have fractured her hand just a month or so later, but was back in PSG’s starting line-up by December where she played crucial roles in Les Parisiennes’ UWCL fixtures against Vllaznia and Chelsea. Already played under the lights at Stamford Bridge so best know this youngster is all about making the opps feel Blue courtesy of her tekky midfield masterclasses. Fazer by name so you better not waste her time, if you do, you’re playing with fire. Big things to come.
10. Evan Ferguson
Club: Brighton
Age: 18
Position: Striker
Say “dia duit!” to the Future of Irish Football™. The 18-year-old from Bettystown learned his trade at Bohemians in Dublin before making the move to the Brighton Academy in 2021. A powerful, dominant No.9, Ferguson is already making an impression in the Prem – bullying William Saliba out the way to score his first top-flight goal. In an era where teams are returning to a traditional striker setup, the two-time Irish international looks built to make an immediate impact.
11. Mary Fowler
Club: Manchester City
Age: 19
Positon: Forward
Mary Fowler joined Manchester City last summer but will be looking to build upon her great reputation in 2023. Arriving from Montpellier in France, the Australian forward had recently won the federation’s PFA Young Player Of The Year award and there is good reason for it. Her five goals in 15 games impressed in France, whilst performances on the international stage included four goals in 2022, taking the starlet to seven goals in 26 appearances. A brace against Blackburn in the Continental Cup gave a taste of what’s to come from this Matilda. Soon everyone will see why Sam Kerr gave her the big cosign.
12. Carrie Jones
Club: Leicester City (on loan from Manchester United)
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Having played a full season with Manchester United’s U21 FA WSL Academy, the Welsh international signed her first professional contract with the Red Devils at just 17-years-old. But Jones has always been someone who wants to get ahead of the game, with the midfielder making her international senior debut at 15 years and 359 days old. What’s the significance of this you might ask? Well, U16s aren’t eligible to play in senior competitive matches at club level, meaning Jones is quite literally wise beyond her years. Currently on loan to the Foxes for the rest of the season, CJ will do everything she can to help Leicester avoid relegation and remain in the topflight of English women’s football. If anyone can do it, it’s Jones.
13. Garang Kuol
Club: Newcastle United
Age: 18
Position: Striker
Kuol is an international sensation. Dubbed the ‘Future of Australian Football’, GK is certainly a keeper for Newcastle. Fresh from a World Cup, Garang is expected to get familiar with British football whilst on loan this season. He first caught the world’s attention by notching up four goals in eight senior appearances for Central Coast Mariners, before a seven minute cameo against Barcelona in an All-Star game. From Down Under to a top star. Make sure you keep an eye out for this baller as the year progresses.
14. Rico Lewis
Club: Manchester City
Age: 18
Position: Right Back
The enormous quality of Manchester City’s latest starlet only further underlines their commitment to building long term success. The son of a Muay Thai champion, Rico Lewis is a technically excellent, positionally intelligent full-back with the potential to go all the way. Described by Pep Guardiola as, “our little Phillip Lahm”(!), Lewis is already cementing himself as a useful role player for one of the best squads in the country. He became City’s youngest ever Champions League goalscorer last November against Sevilla, just two days shy of his 18th birthday. Buy now, RICO coin is going to the Blue Moon.
15. Vicky López
Club: Barcelona
Age: 16
Position: Attacking Midfield, Wing
The youngest Barcelona player ever. Read that again. López is also the youngest ever player to play in the Champions League or to feature in an El Clásico match-up. One more for good measure? Officially became the youngest player to score for Barça in the side’s 50th league win. World Record at just 16. There is no other way to put it, López is going straight to the top. Her numbers at youth level are almost unbelievable. Scored over 60 goals in 17 games during the 20/21 season before signing a five-year deal with one of the game’s best teams, ever. Asisat Oshoala might be her idol but it won’t be long before we see these two frequently starting together. Scary hours.
16. Jess Park
Club: Everton (on loan from Manchester City)
Age: 21
Position: Forward
The Manchester City player is currently on loan to Everton where she scored her first WSL goal in a Merseyside derby at Anfield. Talk about making a memorable first impression. Already an FA and Continental Cup winner at 21, Park is set for the biggest of stages, something England manager Sarina Wiegman already knows. Made her Lionesses debut in the 89th minute against former World Cup winners Japan and scored one minute later. Real ‘gone in 60 seconds’ hours. Even Nicholas can’t Cage this forward. Football’s a walk in the Park for Jess, she was born to play the beautiful game and will be made into one of its most dangerous attacking players. Watch this space.
17. Trinity Rodman
Club: Washington Spirit
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Rodman’s inaugural season ended with her being named Rookie of the Year after grabbing seven goals. Her sophomore year resulted in a Ballon d’Or Féminin nomination, a senior international debut and two goals for USWNT. Don’t forget about the NWSL Championship title and the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year award. 2023 is clearly all about world domination for Rodman, and proving she’s more than a young baller destined to shine. This year it’s about outshining everyone, regardless of age.
18. Ebony Salmon
Club: Houston Dash
Age: 21
Position: Forward
The sky’s the limit for Houston Dash’s Ebony Salmon. The 21-year-old was the NWSL’s side topscorer for the regular season after bagging nine goals in 13 appearances. A Lone Star performance that helped her Texan teammates to their first-ever league play-off. The former Bristol City baller tore up the South West back in the day and is doing the same in America’s Southern State. Consistency is key and they don’t come much more consistent than ES23. Already earned senior Lionesses’ call-ups under Sarina Wiegman, and with a World Cup looming, Salmon has every chance of being on the plane to Aus.
19. Alex Scott
Club: Bristol City
Age: 19
Position: Centre-Mid
Sometimes a famous namesake can weigh heavy on the shoulders of a young player but Bristol City’s Alex Scott isn’t letting it affect him. The Guernsey-born 19-year-old is a key player for Nigel Pearson’s Robins, making over 60 league appearances in midfield in the past two years. Tekky in the middle and calm under pressure, Scott is making a name for himself in an England shirt too. His goal in the semi-final helped propel the Young Lions to their first U19 European Championship since 2017. Prem clubs are already circling, with a number of teams poised to bring the young teknician to the big league. He looks ready. Keep it locked.
20. Eliesse Ben Seghir
Club: Monaco
Age: 17
Position: Attacking Mid
Not many can say they have announced themselves on the scene in as grand a fashion as Eliesse. He ended 2022 how he wants to be seen in 2023, with vim. His league debut as a half-time sub resulted in a brace which aided Monaco to a W. Known as a club for developing young talent – shout to Mbappé and King Titi – Eliesse is in good hands moving forward. Having only joined the club back in 2020, he’s already written his name into their history books by becoming Monaco’s fifth youngest goalscorer on record. Here’s hoping he follows in the footsteps of some of the game’s greats. We’ve got a strong feeling he will.
