It is not an unusual trend for RB Leipzig to once again be at the forefront when it comes to finding young players and helping them mature as stars of tomorrow.
The Bundesliga side have been credited with the development of numerous big-name players in today’s game: Joshua Kimmich, Christopher Nkunku, and Dayot Upamecano are just a few out of a whole lot more that were polished under Leipzig’s watchful eye.
Last season, Marco Rose’s side saw the rise of Dani Olmo, Lois Openda, Xavi Simons, and Benjamin Sesko—yet another batch of youngsters flourishing under the club.
Come next season, a couple more wonderkids will join Die Roten Bullen in a quest to once again.
Assan Ouedraogo
Last season saw Xavi Simons introduce himself to SBOTOP Bundesliga fans. The 21-year-old was scintillating in every chance he got, en route to tallying eight goals and 11 assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances.
However, the Dutch sensation is only a loanee from Paris Saint-Germain. So in the event the Parisians take him back, Leipzig’s hands are tied—unless they are able to persuade PSG, of course.
There is also the threat of rivals such as Bayern Munich, who are always looking to pry their rivals’ stars away. In the event Simons bids his farewell, Assan Ouedraogo would be the fitting replacement.
The 18-year-old midfielder exudes athleticism and flair, capable of attacking any defence in front of him. And with his dynamic style of play, he is undoubtedly perfect for a Leipzig side that love to go forward.
His debut for Schalke last year was a sign that he was one for the future; he registered a goal and an assist, which made him the club’s youngest scorer. Despite his season being hampered by a ligament tear, what he showed in 17 appearances was enough for Leipzig to see.
If the stars align and Simons stays put, then Red Bull Arena should prepare for exciting times ahead.
Maarten Vandevoordt
At 6-foot-3, the 20-year-old sensation from Belgium already has the size to be a menacing man between the sticks. He also has the goalkeeping repertoire, if you don’t mind me saying so.
Arriving from KRC Genk, the towering goalie is an excellent signing for the two-time DFB-Pokal winners, who want to bring a younger player into the club’s goalkeeping ranks.
Their first-option keeper, Peter Gulacsi, suffered an ACL tear during the 2022/23 season and was only able to play recently. His backup, Janis Blaswich, assumed duties during his absence.
Both players are in their mid-30s, so it’s safe to say that Die Roten Bullen are looking to freshen things up a bit. And with the club loaning Blaswich to their sister team in Austria, Vandevoordt looks to be in the clear.
Vandeevordt won the Belgian Cup with Genk back in 2021 and was the club’s number one until the 2022/23 season.
He excelled in his final season in Belgium, as he had a save percentage of 77.8 per cent, which made him the toughest keeper to beat in the early parts of the season. During that span, he faced well over 60 shots and only allowed 15 goals.
For those of you who’ve yet to watch him play, the usual comparison to him is Real Madrid and Belgium shot stopper, Thibaut Courtois.
After all, the pair were nurtured under the same coach, Guy Martens, so it would be apt if Vandevoordt learned a thing or two from Courtois’ tricks.
What about the current squad?
If Marco Rose intends to win trophies, then he can do no worse than keeping his young core intact. But it’s so much easier said than done in the world of football.
It remains to be seen whether Dani Olmo leaves for Barcelona or any other European giant at that.
An indispensable part of the team, Olmo was central to Leipzig’s Bundesliga 2024 results in the past year, finishing with four goals and five assists in the 21 matches he played.
The 26-year-old Spanish sensation has been with Leipzig for five years now, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he heads out before the season begins.
Some Premier League clubs are also looking to secure the services of Lois Openda, the red-hot forward who scored 28 goals for Leipzig across all competitions.
The Bundesliga 2024 odds were kind to the Saxony-based outfit last year, thanks to the performances of these two.
It would be a shame to see them go.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
