With 2023 fading away, 2024 promises an exciting time for football as the Olympics and Asian, African, European, and South American continental tournaments will take place as well as all the ‘money time’ madness in between in most of the big leagues and club continental tournaments. At the beginning of the season, we got acquainted with a few new names on the biggest stages of them all and undoubtedly their progress in 2024 will be worthy of a close follow-up. Here are 10 players who are a must-follow to see how their career paths evolve in the upcoming year.
Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)
Spurs’ new goalkeeper started his Premier League career pretty well and has played a pivotal role in Tottenham‘s run in the title race. The goals come from Heung Min Son, the flare from James Maddison, the defensive prowess from Cuti Romero but the man between the sticks is responsible nonetheless for Tottenham’s well-balanced defence. His success will most likely come with a fine reward – a call-up to Italy’s squad for Euro 2024 and who knows, maybe even challenge Gianluigi Donnarumma for the #1 spot for the Azzurri.
Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd)
Erik Ten Hag decided to trust the youngster on more than one occasion this season and Mainoo returned the favor with excellent performances. With Donny Van De Beek on his way out on loan and Casemiro’s topsy-turvy status at the club, Mainoo could play a more pivotal role for Utd in the latter stages of the season.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
His summer move from Man City to Chelsea did wonders for his career. The Champions League title holders couldn’t promise him constant game time whereas at Chelsea he’s featuring regularly and even got assigned as the club’s spot-kick taker. Palmer’s evolution in the 2nd stage of the 2023-24 season could bolt Chelsea up the Premier League table and do further wonders for Palmer’s young career.
Arda Guler (Real Madrid)
When Real Madrid signed the Turkish wonderkid they knew that they were putting their hands on one of the brightest future stars of football. One thing that they didn’t take into account is that he will be plagued by injuries during most of his time at the club. 2024 should be the year when he redeems himself and shows his talent to Real, LaLiga, Europe, and the world.
Vitor Roque (Barcelona)
Barcelona‘s January signing will definitely be a player to watch as he tries to take the load off Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres in Barca’s attack. Roque had a great campaign with Athletico Paranaense in Brazil scoring 21 goals and providing 8 assists in 45 games across all competitions, but now ‘Tigrinho’ will have to step up as he tries to conquer LaLiga and the Champions League.
Francesco Camarda (Milan)
The 15-year-old sensation broke every possible scoring record in the youth teams for the Rossoneri and already came on as a sub for the senior team. It’s still unknown if AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli will take him into account for Milan’s future games but even to follow his progress in the Campionato Primavera (Italy’s youth league) could be a delight to any football lover.
Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen)
Bayer Leverkusen‘s superb run in the Bundesliga is credited to a well-oiled machine that is operated by Xabi Alonso but the conductor on the pitch is undoubtedly Florian Wirtz. The German fantasist started this season after returning from a lengthy injury and has proven his worth and vitality for the current leaders of the Bundesliga table. If Alonso’s men will do the unthinkable and eventually lift the title (their first in history), Wirtz’s contribution to that effort will be key and maybe it will land him a contract at one of the Premier League giants. Wirtz will also try to regain a spot in the Euro 2024 hosts’, Germany’s, squad ahead of the home-soil tournament.
Serhou Guirassy (Stuttgart)
19 goals in 16 league and cup games show that Serhou Guirassy started the 2023-24 season with a bang! An injury halted his great run for a bit but with the African Cup Of Nations set to kickstart 2024, Guirassy will try to lead Guinea as far as he possibly can and then return to Stuttgart in order to continue his amazing run with the German side. Will we see him make a big move in the summer of 2024? If everything goes to plan, yes, making him yet another player worth watching closely during the upcoming year.
Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
Luis Enrique confided in the young midfielder and Zaire-Emery returned the favor with great performances, scoring important goals for the club. His superb form earned him a call-up and a debut for the French National Team and the sky is the limit as to how good things can get for Zaire-Emery in 2024. His evolution from a young prospect to a potential world-class footballer is a must-see phenomenon as PSG‘s starlet will do everything possible to be named in the final squad for France for Euro 2024.
Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco)
Monaco‘s youngster is looking well for the Monegasque club as he established his place in Adi Hutter’s lineup as well as playing a key role in France’s U21 National Team. The young French midfielder (who has Algerian roots and has been approached by the Fenecs’ FA to represent them) will try to build on his recent form in 2024 as well and who knows, maybe add some silverware to Monaco’s trophy cabinet.
It will be interesting to see which of these 10 will shine in 2024 and fulfil their potential.
