10 young players to watch

By Harvey Cruz | Jun 11, 2018

TOPSHOT - France's foward Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring a goal during the friendly football match between France and Italy at the Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, southeastern France, on June 1, 2018. (Photo by VALERY HACHE / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images) /

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COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – OCTOBER 08: Kasper Dolberg of Denmark in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifier match between Denmark and Romania at Telia Parken Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Lars Ronbog / FrontZoneSport via Getty Images) /

7. Kasper Dolberg

If the World Cup was last year, Kasper Dolberg would be higher on this list after scoring 22 goals in all competitions for Ajax in 2016-17. That number dropped to 12 this season, but Denmark’s next great hope remains one of the most exciting prospects in Europe.

He was a key contributor to the Ajax side that made it to the Europa League final last season, scoring goals in both legs of the semifinal against Lyon as a 19-year-old. Now 20, he’s a potential breakout star for a Denmark team looking to make a Cinderella run at the World Cup. He’s capable of playing on the wing, but does his best work as an out-and-out number 9.

In a group featuring France, Peru and Australia, second place isn’t out of the realm of possibility. With Christian Eriksen Denmark’s primary playmaker, Dolberg will have chances to score. With Viktor Fischer and Pione Sisto also in the squad, there’s enough offense in this team to at least make it out of the group.

Much of that will be down to Eriksen and Dolberg. If the latter delivers, he may soon be on his way to one of Europe’s big-spending clubs.