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The 2019/20 Liga NOS season came to an end on Sunday, a campaign full of youngsters who broke onto the scene in Portugal and announced themselves to a mainstream audience.
Here is my Breakthrough Prospects (U-25) XI of the 2019/20 Liga NOS season.
All edits by @UltimateBayern:
Here is my Breakthrough Prospects (U-25) XI of the 2019/20 Liga NOS season.
All edits by @UltimateBayern:
GK: Hervé Koffi.
With minutes hard to come by in France, Koffi was one of four Lille players to join Belenenses on loan this season, and he had the biggest impact in keeping the team afloat in the Primeira.
With cat-like reflexes, Koffi's heroic saves will be missed at Jamor.
With minutes hard to come by in France, Koffi was one of four Lille players to join Belenenses on loan this season, and he had the biggest impact in keeping the team afloat in the Primeira.
With cat-like reflexes, Koffi's heroic saves will be missed at Jamor.
RB: Falaye Sacko.
The Malian has emerged into one of Liga NOS's best right backs this season, and at 25 years old, it may be time for him to move on to a Ligue 1 or mid-table Premier League side.
He's a quick, physically imposing RB who can whip in a deadly cross into the box.
The Malian has emerged into one of Liga NOS's best right backs this season, and at 25 years old, it may be time for him to move on to a Ligue 1 or mid-table Premier League side.
He's a quick, physically imposing RB who can whip in a deadly cross into the box.
CB: Nehuén Pérez.
Fresh off a promising U-20 World Cup with Argentina, Pérez joined Famalicão on loan, where he has grown into a rock at the back.
With lethal anticipation and a quick covering speed, expect him to battle for a first team spot at Atlético Madrid next season.
Fresh off a promising U-20 World Cup with Argentina, Pérez joined Famalicão on loan, where he has grown into a rock at the back.
With lethal anticipation and a quick covering speed, expect him to battle for a first team spot at Atlético Madrid next season.
CB: Edmond Tapsoba.
After being promoted to Vitória’s first team by Ivo Vieira, the Burkinabé blossomed thanks to his positional awareness, his ability to break the lines, and his aerial prowess, before earning a €25m move to Bayer Leverkusen.
He has since thrived in Germany.
After being promoted to Vitória’s first team by Ivo Vieira, the Burkinabé blossomed thanks to his positional awareness, his ability to break the lines, and his aerial prowess, before earning a €25m move to Bayer Leverkusen.
He has since thrived in Germany.
LB: Nuno Mendes.
He’s only started 7 games for Sporting, but Mendes’s breakthrough was too enticing to ignore.
Physically imposing despite just being 18 years old, constantly looking to break the lines with quick one-twos and sharp crossing. Another gem from the Alcochete line.
He’s only started 7 games for Sporting, but Mendes’s breakthrough was too enticing to ignore.
Physically imposing despite just being 18 years old, constantly looking to break the lines with quick one-twos and sharp crossing. Another gem from the Alcochete line.
CM: Uroš Račić.
Another player who has flourished on loan at Famalicão, the Serbian is a versatile, physically imposing powerhouse who can win back possession high up the pitch, execute an aggressive press, and progress the ball with a close control that belies his 6'4" frame.
Another player who has flourished on loan at Famalicão, the Serbian is a versatile, physically imposing powerhouse who can win back possession high up the pitch, execute an aggressive press, and progress the ball with a close control that belies his 6'4" frame.
CM: Filipe Soares.
Unable to break into Benfica’s first team, the Seixal product bounced from Estoril to Moreirense, where he has fit like a glove in midfield alongside his brother Alex.
He can use his locomotion and technique to dribble out of tight areas and advance the ball.
Unable to break into Benfica’s first team, the Seixal product bounced from Estoril to Moreirense, where he has fit like a glove in midfield alongside his brother Alex.
He can use his locomotion and technique to dribble out of tight areas and advance the ball.
CM: Pedro Gonçalves.
Since joining from Wolves in the summer, ‘Pote’ has thrived in an advanced role for João Pedro Sousa’s Famalicão, linking together midfield and attack and breaking the lines with pinpoint passing.
At 22, it’s no surprise Porto are in for his services.
Since joining from Wolves in the summer, ‘Pote’ has thrived in an advanced role for João Pedro Sousa’s Famalicão, linking together midfield and attack and breaking the lines with pinpoint passing.
At 22, it’s no surprise Porto are in for his services.
RW: Marcus Edwards.
Since leaving Tottenham on a free transfer last summer, the Englishman has become the main protagonist in attack for Ivo Vieira's Vitória.
Edwards is a brilliant 1v1 player who thrives in tight spaces as well as counterattacks, and he's available for €15m.
Since leaving Tottenham on a free transfer last summer, the Englishman has become the main protagonist in attack for Ivo Vieira's Vitória.
Edwards is a brilliant 1v1 player who thrives in tight spaces as well as counterattacks, and he's available for €15m.
CF: Toni Martínez.
Since joining West Ham at 18 years old for £2.4m, Martínez had been shipped out on loan four times before joining Famalicão on a free.
The Spaniard is developing into a deadly finisher in Portugal, and he's thrived this season with 10 goals and 5 assists.
Since joining West Ham at 18 years old for £2.4m, Martínez had been shipped out on loan four times before joining Famalicão on a free.
The Spaniard is developing into a deadly finisher in Portugal, and he's thrived this season with 10 goals and 5 assists.
LW: Francisco Trincão.
17 months after winning the U-19 Euros with Portugal, Trincão made his starting debut for Ricardo Sá Pinto's Braga. A month later, he earned a €31m move to Barcelona.
Trincão led Braga to their first top 3 finish since 2012 with 9 goals and 13 assists.
17 months after winning the U-19 Euros with Portugal, Trincão made his starting debut for Ricardo Sá Pinto's Braga. A month later, he earned a €31m move to Barcelona.
Trincão led Braga to their first top 3 finish since 2012 with 9 goals and 13 assists.
*Trincão played on the right for Braga this season, with Ricardo Horta playing on the left. However, both Trincão and Edwards were so good that I had to put Trincão out of position to fit him in.
