HomeFeatured ArticlesYannick Carrasco: Belgian Whizz Kid Linked To EPL

Yannick Carrasco: Belgian Whizz Kid Linked To EPL

There is no denying that Belgian football is in the midst of a golden generation. World class talent from back to front, including reigning Barclays Premier League Player of the Season Eden Hazard, the relatively small European nation of only 11 million people has reached the dizzying heights of second in the FIFA world rankings, mixing it with the traditional footballing powerhouses of Germany and Argentina.

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The Belgian national division is rated as the tenth best in Europe, and this is reflected by the whereabouts of the national side’s stars, with many plying their trade in the continent’s most exciting leagues, including the elite divisions in France and England. Many have made the short journey across the border, and have established themselves in a domestic league ranked more favourably than the Belgian Pro League, which in all fairness, is growing by the year, with a number of clubs beginning to threaten the stranglehold the likes of Standard Liege and Anderlecht have enjoyed over the league for so many years. The aforementioned Eden Hazard is an example of one such player who found success across the border with Lille, a club which contributed to his development into the fine player he has become. Hazard has set the benchmark for his peers, and is now recognised as one of the finest players on the planet, and with many of his countrymen eyeing similar moves across the Channel to test themselves in the Premier League, one player has been raising eyebrows for his performances in this seasons highly competitive Ligule 1.

Although he doesn’t quite sound like a Belgian due to a mixture of Spanish and Portuguese heritage, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco is Belgium’s latest exciting export who may well be gracing the Premier League come the eagerly anticipated inaugural weekend of the 2015-16 Barclays Premier League season. Born in the Belgian town of Ixelles near the capital, Brussels, Carrasco has represented his country from U15 level, and his potential was recognised by principality club, Monaco, before the forward kicked a ball in anger for his Belgian club, Racing Club Genk. Carrasco arrived in Monaco as a fresh faced 16 year old, and proved his worth to the club in Les Rouge et Blanks ‘B’ team, prior to a call up to the senior side.

His debut season in the first team was one to remember, and Carrasco’s six goals helped guide his side to the Ligule 2 title, and saw Monaco return to the big time with the backing of Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev. With the arrival of big money signings such as Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and João Moutinho, Carrasco found himself used more sparingly by former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri. After falling short of the title on their return to the top flight, new manager Jose Jardim afforded Carrasco a chance to prove his worth, and the attacking midfielder duly delivered: 6 goals and 10 Ligue 1 assists from Carrasco propelled his side to a third place finish, and the promise of Champions League football after the negotiation of a qualifying round. It was in Europe, however, in which Monaco turned heads, reaching the quarter-finals after dumping English giants Arsenal out in the previous round. Carrasco was an integral part of Monaco’s run, registering his first Champions League goal in the convincing victory over the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium, arguably the most shocking result of this season’s competition.

Carrasco’s form over the past season has seen a number of Premier League scouts register their interest in the player, with reports suggesting Tottenham to be leading the race for the 21 year old’s signature. Although still at a tender age, Carrasco has exhibited the necessary attributes that will see him develop into a fine winger. The Belgian is a direct runner, taking on defenders at every opportunity, searching for the by-line to deliver crosses into his team mates. The player has proved to possess the end piece to his game, and the number of assists achieved this season has seen his stock rise, as clubs struggle to find a player who can deliver a telling final ball. His creativity is supported by his ability to find the net, and in addition to this, Carrasco has established a reputation for himself as something of a set ball specialist, with the player deadly from the set piece.

With Tottenham linked, Carrasco will no doubt draw comparisons with the £85 million man, Gareth Bale, and if the player were to make the move to North London, he must quickly shake off this tag before it has a telling impact upon his personal game. £30 million pound record signing, Erik Lamela, fell afoul of such comparisons, and ever since his move to England and subsequent failure to set the Premier League alight, has been linked to a return to Italy where he made his name with capital club, Roma. With such a move looking likely to materialise, the Tottenham faithful will be hoping that the young man may fill the void left by the departure of Welshman Bale several years ago. At the age of 21, Carrasco has the potential to become a top player. His current side know this, and have already rejected an £8 million bid for the player, with the board informing Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, to double his valuation of the player. Levy is infamous for driving a hard bargain, and will attempt to seal the best possible deal for his side. If the clubs can come to an agreement, and the player is open to a move to White Hart Lane, then a fee in that region would represent excellent value for a player of Carrasco’s standing. If Tottenham are able to capture the player’s signature, then Spurs fans can look forward to seeing the Belgian competing for their side next season, and may rest easy knowing that their side has secured one of Europe’s brightest young stars.

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5 COMMENTS

  1. This lad is far better than Hazard he is miles in front of him he must not escape our net , Levy stop right there and give the club just what they want he is a genius !!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Any money you want that Levy doesn’t buy him.Will probably be worth 3 times what Levy would have to pay today in a few years time.At Tottenham nothing ever changes.

  3. Will be you any money you want that Levy will fail in buying him.Will probably be worth 3 times more than what we would have to pay for him today in a few years time.At Tottenham,things never change.

  4. He is a really good player and a massive upgrade on the likes of Lennon and Townsend. If he can replicate the form he showed last season for Monaco at Spurs then he will be a definite starter on the right wing ahead of Lamela. I do believe however that Lamela will come good this summer, so competition for the right wing will make both players up their game. We just need a player to compete with Chadli on the left wing, Konoplyanka wouldnt be such a bad signing if he would lower his £100k wage demand.

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