L’Equipe’s 2019 Football Wonderkids: Where Are They Now?
In 2019, renowned French sports publication L’Equipe, known for their insightful football analysis, spotlighted six young players tipped for greatness. Their ‘Wonders of European Football’ series aimed to identify the next generation of stars poised to dominate the beautiful game. Six years have passed since then, a significant period in football development. So, what became of these highly-touted prospects? SPORTbible delved into the careers of these six individuals to see how their journeys unfolded.
Tracking the Progress of Football’s Top Young Talents
Let’s examine each of the six players L’Equipe earmarked as future footballing giants and explore the paths their careers have taken since being recognized as potential world-beaters:
- Karim Adeyemi
Karim Adeyemi arguably stands out as the most successful pick from L’Equipe’s list. The now 24-year-old forward truly broke through at Red Bull Salzburg, showcasing blistering pace and attacking prowess that earned him a high-profile transfer to Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga. Renowned for his speed and direct style, this winger has notched an impressive 23 goals across 93 appearances for Dortmund. Adeyemi’s performances have not gone unnoticed, attracting interest from Premier League giants like Arsenal and Liverpool, who are reportedly monitoring his progress as he continues to develop his game at a high level.
- Ansu Fati
Ansu Fati burst onto the scene as a prodigious talent at Barcelona, making his debut for the Catalan giants as a mere 16-year-old. Inheriting the iconic No.10 jersey previously worn by Lionel Messi fuelled expectations of a meteoric rise to superstardom. However, Fati’s promising trajectory was unfortunately hampered by a series of unfortunate injuries. Seeking regular playing time to regain his form and confidence, he was loaned out to Brighton & Hove Albion in the competitive Premier League.
Ansu Fati during his loan spell at Brighton. Image: Getty
Currently, Fati is back with Barcelona but has faced limited playing opportunities, featuring in just eight matches across all competitions this season, as he aims to recapture his early promise and establish himself back in the Barcelona squad.
- Karamoko Dembele
Back in 2019, Karamoko Dembele was generating considerable excitement and making headlines at Celtic. L’Equipe described the skillful attacking player as ‘vivid and agile’, suggesting a bright future in football. They noted his British nationality and potential questions surrounding his international allegiance. At 22 years old, Dembele did attract interest from top European clubs including Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Juventus, but a move to one of these giants never materialized.
Karamoko Dembele in action for QPR. Image: Getty
In 2022, Dembele made a move to Brest in France before returning to English football on loan with Blackpool. Last summer, he joined Queens Park Rangers (QPR) initially on a season-long loan in the Championship. QPR have since confirmed they will make the deal permanent in the summer of 2025, indicating Dembele is finding his feet and building a career in the competitive English leagues.
- Mohamed Amine Ihattaren
Mohamed Amine Ihattaren was considered a prodigious playmaker during his time in PSV Eindhoven’s youth ranks and early first-team appearances. After featuring in 74 matches for PSV, Juventus secured the attacking midfielder’s signature, recognizing his potential. However, his time with Juventus proved tumultuous. He was immediately loaned out, and subsequently endured a challenging period which culminated in a mutual agreement to terminate his contract with the Italian giants.
Ihattaren then signed for Turkish side Samsunspor, but this move also fell apart before he even played a game. A move to Slavia Prague followed in December 2023, yet his contract was terminated without him making a single appearance for the Czech club. In September last year, Ihattaren returned to his native Netherlands, joining RKC Waalwijk as he attempts to reignite his once highly-promising career.
- Sebastiano Esposito
Sebastiano Esposito progressed through the youth system at Inter Milan, touted as a potential future star for the Nerazzurri and Italian football. However, his senior career is yet to fully take off, marked by numerous loan spells away from the San Siro as he seeks consistent first-team football. Currently, the Italian forward is on loan at Empoli in Serie A, where he has enjoyed a productive season, scoring 10 goals in 27 appearances, suggesting he may be finding his stride and fulfilling some of his earlier potential.
- Joelson Fernandes
Joelson Fernandes was another player tipped to emerge from the esteemed Sporting CP Academy in Portugal, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and other notable alumni. After a two-year loan stint at Basel in Switzerland, Fernandes joined Turkish outfit Hatayspor in July 2023. He continues to develop his career abroad, hoping to make his mark after being highlighted as a potential star in 2019.
The journeys of these six wonderkids highlight the unpredictable nature of football development. While some like Adeyemi have progressed towards fulfilling their potential, others have faced setbacks and taken different paths. It’s a reminder that being labelled a “wonderkid” is just the start of a long and challenging journey in professional football.
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