European players to watch: Part 1
We’ve done England - it’s time to take it continental.
This is part 1 of mini-series that will go on until the beginning of the season. These exciting players are ones that football fans should definitely be keeping a key eye on throughout the 25/26 campaign.’
Martin Baturina - Como 1907
This is one for the football manager lovers. Baturina is a Croatian attacking midfielder who has been applying his trade at Dinamo Zagreb since the 2020/21 season and to many it’s a mystery that he’s only just been picked up by a team in the top 5 leagues.
Como are continuing a trend of really exciting business with the signing of the 22 year old. He is a two-footed, creative force who loves to dribble and create chances. He’s tricky and likes to pick up the ball between the lines and make something happen. Typically for Zagreb he’s used as a 10 but with Italy’s newest sensation Nico Paz already occupying that spot, Baturina might play slightly deeper which I don’t think is much of a problem - especially in the Serie A. His ability on the ball will make him extremely useful in buildup, and if given the license to roam forward - he can become a serious threat from in-and-around the edge of the box.
Image via @RisingStarsXI on X
With a style of play not vastly dissimilar to Fabregas’, it will be fascinating to see how the Spanish coach uses him throughout the season. Under the guidance of one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, we could see Baturina really blossom into something special in a Como side that is proving to be one of the best clubs in Europe at developing young talent.
It’s a really fun move and is another reason why you should definitely be keeping up with Como for the next couple of years.
Ishe Samuels-Smith - Strasbourg
It’s rare for me to talk about players who haven’t played a senior minute in their career, but I’m going to make an exception for ex-Chelsea academy left-back. Samuels-Smith or ISS, is a 19 year old who’s been making waves in Cobham since being signed from Everton’s academy in 2022.
Image via @FelixJohnston_ on X
With a permanent transfer to Strasbourg all but confirmed, ISS will now look to join an illustrious line of full-backs to graduate from the Chelsea academy and go on to have top careers. Reece James, Tino livramento, Ian Maatsen, Tariq Lamptey, Lewis Hall, Ola Aina and others are all highly regarded in England and so it looks like the odds are stacked in the young man’s favour.
A complete modern-day full-back. ISS is very comfortable on the ball and excels in his 1v1 duels, it’s a testament to his ability that many Chelsea fans were growing increasingly impatient at the fact he hadn’t made his senior debut. It’s worth noting Chelsea also have a buy-back clause with Strasbourg that allows them to match any bid that may come in for the Englishman - showing he’s a player that the Blues won’t want to lose long-term.
This transfer is another example of the Blue-Co multi-club model bearing fruit - Strasbourg look to have a gem on their hands with Ishe Samuels-Smith.
Alex Baena - Atletico Madrid
To try and put into terms the player that Alex Baena, I’d say he’s Spain’s version of Eberechi Eze. Not because they play in the same way but as a testament to how they are regarded in their respective countries.
Like Eze, Baena is a midfield maverick who has played outside of his league’s ‘elite’ teams for his whole career, and nobody can really understand why. Any creative stat you can think of, rest assured that the 24 year old is lying somewhere near the top of it. Last season, ranking in the top 1% of European midfielders for shot-creating actions, expected assists and carries into the penalty area per 90, Baena has been showing too much production for the big dogs not to come calling. To go along with the 7 goals and 9 assists from the 24/25 season, Baena put up 5 goals and 17 assists in the year prior - this isn’t some flash in the pan player.
Image via @lavozdelatleti_ on X
Villarreal’s former no.16 has finally got the move he deserved and interestingly it’s Atletico Madrid that coughed up the €42 million euros needed for his signature. Baena is very much a player who likes to get the ball anywhere on the pitch and create danger. He can do this in various ways: a defense-splitting pass on his wand of a right foot; by dribbling past 2 or 3 defenders with little effort; or from an eerily accurate first-time cross from outside the box. What Baena isn’t known for - is his defensive ability. It’s no secret that Simeone loves players who will run tirelessly for him when Atletico don’t have the ball. In fact, the Argentinian head coach has come under scrutiny across his career for perhaps fancying defensive-minded players a bit too much. The signing of Baena could be a sign that the tides are changing because he’s got attacking ability in abundance but really doesn’t do anything off the ball and so the tactical fit into Simeone’s team will be interesting.
With that being said, it’s still extremely exciting that La Liga’s best talent outside of the big 3 is finally taking the step up to the big leagues. Spain’s creative genius now has the chance to go from someone only well-received nationally, to a name that rings around Europe for years to come.
He’s got the talent, but moving to a physically demanding team like Atletico is a big change for an attacker used to being a passenger without the ball. Let’s see if he can get used to this jump up or if it proves too much for the Spanish technician.
