The new 2023/24 Bundesliga season kicks-off on Friday and we can look forward to seeing established stars from one of Europe’s top leagues going head-to-head in the battle for the Meisterschale. The German top flight is however also famed for the way it gives youth a chance and every season new teenage talent emerges to rise to the top. Here we bring you eight teenagers, who could be set for a breakout season…
Julien Duranville (Borussia Dortmund)
After just six appearances for Anderlecht, Borussia Dortmund signed the teenage Julian Duranville in the January transfer window for €8.5 million. The right winger, who can also be deployed on the left was given his one and only run out on the final matchday in what turned out to be BVB’s worst nightmare when they surrendered the Meisterschale.
He will be looking to enjoy some more positive experiences this season, despite only being 17-years-old. Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham have both shown in recent seasons that if you are good enough, you are old enough, but a thigh injury looks set to delay the start of his season.
Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Following in the footsteps of a successful older sibling isn’t always easy, but in the case of the Aaronson brothers, 19-year-old Paxten looks set to match the achievements of his older brother Brenden (who is now back in the Bundesliga with Union Berlin after his spell in the Premier League with Leeds). Paxten arrived in Frankfurt in the January transfer window and made seven Bundesliga appearances as a substitute. He showed glimpses of what he is capable of and will be looking to shine even more this season (and to even out-do his brother).
Lukas Ambros (VfL Wolfsburg)
The 19-year-old Czech midfielder made his Bundesliga debut as a second half substitute in the matchday 21 defeat at home to RB Leipzig, but was included in the matchday squad on a further eight occasions. He plays in the midfield role behind the front three and has a great deal of technical ability and flair. The product of the Sparta Prague academy will shine if given increased opportunities this coming season.
Yvandro Borges Sanches (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
The 19-year-old Luxembourg attacker made three brief substitute appearances in last season’s Hinrunde. With 21 caps, he has already played more for his national team than his club side, but hopefully that will change this season with a few more opportunities to impress on the left-hand side of Mönchengladbach’s attacking line.
Nelson Weiper (Mainz 05)
In 18-year-old striker Nelson Weiper Mainz have one of the most highly-rated young talents in the country and after making a scoring debut last season, he’ll be looking to kick on this season. He made nine brief substitute appearances last season and grabbed two goals (v Mönchengladbach and Werder)and helped fire the U-19 to the league title. The Mainz-born teenager will have to compete with Ludovic Ajorque and Karim Onisiwo for a place up front, but expect him to grab his chances when they come.
Tom Bischof (Hoffenheim)
The 18-year-old is Tom Bischof is an advanced playmaker with a high level of technical and creative ability in the final third. After making eleven appearances last season (three as a starter), he will be looking to establish himself in Pellegrino Matarazzo’s first-team plans. The Hoffenheim Academy graduate is already being tracked by some big clubs and this season could be the one where he takes his career to the next level.
Noah Mbamba (Bayer Leverkusen)
The 18-year-old Belgian was signed in the January transfer window for a nominal fee from Club Brugge with Manchester City, Chelsea, and Barcelona all reportedly tracking him. He is a number six and a classical defensive midfielder but can also be used as a centre back. He has outstanding technique and is tall and quick. Leverkusen have Robert Andrich and Granit Xhaka as first choices, but expect Mbamba to get his chances this season.
El Chadaille Bitshiabu (RB Leipzig)
Such is the esteem in which he is held, Leipzig shelled out a reported €15 million for a player, who had made just 19 appearances for PSG. El Chadaille Bitshiabu is widely considered to be one of the most talented centre backs of his generation in Europe and reinforced this by helping the France win the U-17 European Championships in 2022. Unfortunately for RB Leipzig, he will have to wait to get started after suffering a knee ligament injury during an early training session with the club. A lay-off of a few months is expected, but he is definitely one to watch on his return.
