- United’s New Signing And Other Top Talents Feature In 10 Young Defenders To Watch Out For In The 2024/25 Season
The 2024/25 season is upon us, and football fans around the world are eager to start the journey anew.
With many clubs now favoring investments in youth over spending hundreds of millions on established stars, the 2023/24 season was a breakout year for many young talents in the big leagues.
Ahead of the 2022/23 season, we published a list of 10 young defenders to watch out for. Some of those names were already familiar to fans. So, we dug deeper to find young players at a critical stage of their development, ignoring many obvious (already known) players.
We’ll explore some impressive defensive talents who proved last year that they can compete at an elite level. Some names you might recognize, while others may be new to you.
Conor Bradley
Chelsea fans will definitely remember Conor Bradley. He was the chief tormentor against The Blues when they visited Anfield earlier this year.
The right-back featured in 23 games for Liverpool last season, contributing 7 assists and one goal.
This season, he might continue as a backup to Trent Alexander-Arnold or potentially secure the right-back position if Arne Slot decides to use Alexander-Arnold in midfield.
Dean Huijsen
Dean Huijsen’s bold move to Bournemouth demonstrates his ambition to play regularly and be a key part of a strong team. Despite making only 14 league appearances for Roma last year, he showcased his potential.
Huijsen’s aggression and physical fitness suggest a promising career trajectory in the Premier League, making him one to watch this season.
Yarek Gasiorowski
One of Spain’s finest left-footed no-nonsense defenders, Yarek Gasiorowski, was instrumental in Spain’s under-19 Euros triumph.
He made 16 appearances for Valencia last season and showed great promise. A good loan move could attract many suitors for him next summer.
Jeanuël Belocian
Bayer Leverkusen quickly signed Jeanuël Belocian this summer. The 19-year-old left-footed center-back, who can also play as a left-back, hails from Rennes’ academy, known for producing tactically astute players.
Belocian’s strong tackling, speed, and passing ability makes him an exciting prospect. If he quickly grasps Xabi Alonso’s style, he will surprise many.
Tom Rothe
Tom Rothe played a key role in Holstein Kiel’s successful promotion campaign from the Bundesliga 2 to the top flight.
The 19-year-old scored 4 goals and provided 10 assists across all competitions last year. Versatile enough to play as a left-back, left wing-back, or even in left midfield.
Rothe could be a valuable asset for Dortmund if they opt not to replace Ian Maatsen and continue their current tactical approach under Nuri Sahin.
Diego Coppola
Standing at 6ft4, Diego Coppola is a right-footed Italian defender who is very comfortable on the ball. He was among the group of young talents, including Calafiori, Destiny Ugodie and Rovella, called up by Roberto Mancini to train with the national team in 2022.
While he’s not yet a hot commodity in Europe, Coppola has immense potential. With continued good performances for Verona, a move to Milan or another major Italian club could be on the horizon.
Michael Kayode
Michael Kayode has attracted interest from Aston Villa, Newcastle, and Spurs. Those who have seen him tirelessly cover the pitch for 90 minutes for Fiorentina will understand why.
We’ll closely follow his progress this year, hoping he chooses the right project to continue his development if he decides to leave Florence.
Antonio Silva
The big question remains: will Antonio Silva make a move? The ball-playing center-back has been linked with several European giants, including Manchester United.
Whether he stays with Benfica or moves to another club, Silva needs to re-announce himself to the whole of Europe this year.
If he stays, he will be tasked with leading Benfica as they fight to take back the League from Benfica. If he leaves Portugal, his adaptability will be tested.
Valentin Barco
As we predicted on our website back in 2021, Valentin Barco has finally arrived in Europe, though not with Manchester City. The Argentine joined Brighton earlier this year but only appeared in seven games for The Seagulls.
Performing well this season is crucial for the 20-year-old if he intends to continue developing into a world class LB/LWB/LM we all know he can be.
A season of “bench role” at Brighton will greatly hamper the development of a talent that is highly rated in Argentina.
Leny Yoro
And of course, Leny Yoro. He needs no introduction. The young defender has already shown his maturity in Ligue 1 at just 18.
However, joining Manchester United, the Premier League’s biggest club, presents a new kind of pressure.
Brought in for a significant fee, Yoro will face the challenge of adapting and proving himself in a volatile environment. Watching his development into a world-class defender will be fascinating.
That’s our list! The players above are our 10 defenders to watch out for in 2024/25.
These players all have what it takes to be important defenders in their generation. Their development continues this season; we’ll be watching.
