Stade de Reims FW Hugo Ekitike
We close with one of the most exciting teenage talents in European football. If Karim Adeyemi, once linked to Real Madrid, is seen as Erling Haaland’s heir at Borussia Dortmund, then Hugo Ekitike is the alternative to that honor. Ekitike is no longer flying under the radar, as more fans around the continent have begun to take notice of the silky-smooth goal-scorer’s displays on an otherwise run-of-the-mill Stade de Reims side.
Ekitike has found the back of the net nine times in 14 starts this season, with an additional two assists. In total, he has 21 appearances to his name as a first-team player for the Ligue 1 side, even though he is just 19.
On top of the goals, Ekitike has 1.5 dribbles completed per 90 and a key pass per 90, though it is worth noting that he has “lost” more dribbles than he’s “won”. That said, he is a striker. And a rookie striker at that. Ball security and consistency will be issues he needs to iron out.
However, few can deny how clinical he is. Ekitike can score from nothing, and he can score delightful goals. This is a young striker who can be the next big thing, following the footsteps of many strikers who made a name for themselves in Ligue 1. That Ekitike is doing it with Reims makes it a little more impressive. He is clearly the reason to tune into the side.
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Real Madrid have eyes on Endrick and Adeyemi. So in addition to Haaland and Mbappe, Los Merengues are indeed thinking about players they could sign years from now. Florentino Perez always looks into the future. Just in case. Ekitike is very much worth putting on that list, as he has already proven to be a lethal goal-scorer in a top-five league. There is much work to be done. Ekitike is the rawest talent of the three on this list. But he is absolutely the most exciting. Watch as he continues to earn plaudits during his meteoric rise in French football.