Nick Bidwell highlights the names to keep an eye on in this season’s competition.
1 Marc BARTRA
REAL BETIS
Classy ex-Barcelona central defender who, after an ill-fated spell in German football with Borussia Dortmund, returned to his native land earlier this year to take on the role of chief firefighter in the Betis back line.
While with Dortmund he was the most serious victim of the infamous bombing of the team’s bus in April 2017, with the blast leaving him with a broken wrist.
Has earned a reputation for goalscoring on the big occasion, having been on target for Barca against Real Madrid, Dortmund and Bayern Munich, and in the Seville derby last season.
2 Amadou HAIDARA
RED BULL SALZBURG
The next Naby Keita according to the scouting rumour mill. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are just two of the Premier League sides on the trail of the dynamic 20-year-old Malian box-to-box operative, while RB Leipzig are also interested.
Under contract with the Austrian champions for the next four years, the word is Salzburg may consider selling him in the January window.
Struck two spectacular goals in a Europa League victory over Lazio last season.
3 NANI
SPORTING
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Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
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Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
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Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines
