Top 10 Under the Radar U-18 Prospects
By Jim James
Hello all, and welcome back to the blog. Now with all the hype around the Pedris, Wirtzs, and Bellinghams of the world, we lose the hype for the others. The ones that should be gaining hype, but just aren’t seen as the best. In this post we’re giving credit to them. The ones that are yet to make their big move, and for whom the world is still their oyster. Let’s begin.
- Wahid Faghir
Age: 18
Nationality: Danish
Team: VfL Stuttgart
Position: ST
Senior Apps/Goals: 48/9
This first player is down so far because he has shown signs of stagnation. After signing for Stuttgart on Summer Deadline day 2021 from Vejle BK, he has only made 11 appearances for Stuttgart, senior or youth. However, he is already close to 50 appearances, more than a lot of players on this list, and 100% can and should acclimatise to Stuttgart and get a move soon.
- Linus Gechter
Age: 18
Nationality: German
Team: Hertha Berlin
Position: CB
Senior Apps/Goals: 12/1
Linus Gechter is placed above Faghir for his recent contributions for Bundesliga 2-bound Hertha. He’s been playing in a lot of their games in 2022, and despite losing most, he did get a consolation vs Furth in February. The German U-19 International is a must-sign for any club trying to get their hands on a one to watch CB if Hertha get relegated.
- Matchoi Djalo
Age: 18
Nationality: Portuguese
Team: Paços de Ferreira
Position: AM
Senior Apps/Goals: 31/2
One of the most underrated players in the entire list, Matchoi Djalo has been playing senior football since 2019/20. He turns 19 in April, and has already become a key player in Pacos’ midfield. He’s made 17 league appearances so far this season, and should move to a big team this summer to make his next step.
- Mathys Tel
Age: 16
Nationality: French
Team: Rennes
Position: LW
Senior Apps/Goals: 8/0
Yes, one of the less decorated CVs, but he’s only 16, and coming out of the best incubators recently, Rennes. Next season could be owned by him given the opportunity, and he soon could find himself on a big team. In my opinion the 2nd most “one to watch” player on the list.
- Naci Unuvar
Age: 18
Nationality: Dutch
Team: Ajax
Position: LW
Senior Apps/Goals: 3/1
Ok, I will be the first to admit that his senior stats are FAR from impressive compared to the rest of the players on this list, but he’s a DEMON at underage level. In the U-21 team, with players 3 and 4 years older than him, he’s scored 13 and assisted 10 in the league for the team, and has scored a total of 42 and assisted 28 at that level as well. He also has an assist at senior level too, making it 2 goal contributions in 3 senior appearances. I believe that he’d have significantly more senior goal contributions if he was played more for the side.
- Roger Fernandes
Age: 16
Nationality: Portuguese
Team: Braga
Position: LW
Senior Apps/Goals: 9/3
This is the most “One to Watch” player on this list. Roger Fernandes, after being eligible for games for just 126 days, already has 3 senior goals and 9 appearances. A very early bloomer who should be talked about more, Roger could get his big move very soon. A player very, very, very much who you should keep your eye on.
- Alberto Moleiro
Age: 18
Nationality: Spanish
Team: Las Palmas
Position: AM
Senior Apps/Goals: 27/2
I know, you may think that anyone with a similar name to that pudding full back at Liverpool Alberto Moreno must be terrible at the game, but this guy is pretty promising. Moleiro may have only 27 senior apps but all of them have come this season, and 26 of them have come in La Liga Smartbank. He is to Las Palmas what Gavi has become to Barca, and could become the next Pedri.
- Wilfried Gnonto
Age: 18
Nationality: Italian
Team: Zurich
Position: SS
Senior Apps/Goals: 55/11
This is EXACTLY the type of player I want to see in this list. Many games, goals, passed up by a European Giant, and bossing his league. Wilfried Gnonto has only played for Zurich for 2 seasons, after joining them in the Summer of 2020 from Inter Milan. He’s played 52 league games, 26 in each season, and has made a giant leap, from 1 goal last season to 8 this season, and 2 in the cup. He also has 8 Italy U19 Caps, and 3 Goals. He has one of the highest ceilings of anyone on this list, earning the 3rd spot on it.
- Andreas Schjelderup
Age: 17
Nationality: Norwegian
Team: Nordsjaelland
Position: AM
Senior Apps/Goals: 37/6
He may not have as many appearances as most of the players on this list, but at 17, he could be at 60 or 70 by the time he turns 19. Nordsjaelland have turned Schjelderup into one of their most used players in the team, and they have been turning him into it since his 16th birthday. He also has 6 goals to boot and a place in the Norway U19 squad. It’s fair to say he’ll get into a big 5 European League soon.
- Benjamin Sesko
Age: 18
Nationality: Slovenian
Team: RB Salzburg
Position: ST
Senior Apps/Goals: 29/7
The top player on this list. He has a lot of goals, he’s young, plays for a good incubator team, and is a beast. He has 7 goals in 29 appearances, which, admittedly, is not a lot, but he is the only player on this list who has been capped by his country’s senior side, having 8 Slovenia caps, and 1 goal. He is quite deserving of the top spot in our list and is the best Under the Radar U-18 Prospect in the world, according to yours truly.
That’s the list. I hope you enjoyed reading it. We want to post more frequently, and thank you again for getting this far. I’m Jim James, and until next time.