The international break has paused the opening weeks of Europe’s leading domestic seasons, with every major league except the German Bundesliga having completed at least five rounds. Among the early standouts are five emerging players, one from each of the top five leagues.
Paris Brunner has taken his chance at Monaco after moving to France from Germany at the age of 18. Scouts first noticed the striker after he helped beat France in both the U17 European Championship and World Cup finals within a few months.
His breakthrough came after new coach Filipe Luis placed his faith in him this summer. Brunner has already scored four goals in Ligue 1 and added two more as Monaco reached the Conference League main stage. He has also recorded 24 touches in the opposition penalty area, placing him among the division’s best in that category.
The result is a Monaco side leading Ligue 1. Brunner, whose parents are Congolese-German, has dyed his hair blond and adopted the nickname ‘Prince Paris’ after the mythical ancient hero.
“That’s exactly what I want! I want defenders to know I’m very dangerous,” he said.
Younes Ebnoutalib’s rise has been even more dramatic. Only two years ago, the forward was playing in Germany’s amateur sixth division with little-known Giessen. Last week, Jurgen Klopp selected him for the German national team.
Ebnoutalib has converted four of five big chances this season and is scoring once every 70 minutes, putting him among the Bundesliga’s most effective forwards. His pace and energy have also made him a relentless presser.
Morocco, whom he represented at youth level, were keen to secure his services, prompting Klopp to move quickly.
“When I saw him for the first time this season, I thought: ‘That’s a talent! Where did he come from?’ We all immediately agreed we had to call him up. The way he avoids offside is something else,” Klopp said.
Ebnoutalib’s father won a silver medal in taekwondo at the Sydney 2000 Olympics for Germany.
Carlos Espi has made a decisive impact for Real despite playing only 25 minutes across seven rounds. The nearly two-metre-tall striker has scored twice, with both goals coming as last-minute winners.
After scoring 11 times for Levante last season to help them avoid relegation, Espi was named LaLiga’s best U23 player and earned a move to Real. Only Kylian Mbappe, with seven goals, and Jude Bellingham, with three, have scored more in the top flight for the club.
Even so, Jose Mourinho has limited him to a maximum of 10 minutes per match.
“He helps the team a lot. But he has a problem ahead of him. And that’s a player who isn’t just any player (Mbappe). And playing both isn’t easy,” Mourinho said.
At Roma, Emanuele Lulli has stepped into senior football after an outstanding season in the Primavera. The full-back scored twice and supplied eight assists, impressing with powerful runs across the pitch.
Now in his first elite campaign, Lulli has missed only one of five rounds. Roma have kept three clean sheets and conceded once when he has played, helping them lead Serie A on goal difference ahead of defending champions Inter.
He has won 18 of 28 duels, completed eight of nine tackles and contributes to attacks with his speed and creativity. The deeply Christian youngster has also benefited from Gian Piero Gasperini’s reputation for developing young players.
Konstantinos Tzolakis has quickly justified Hull’s decision to sign him from Olympiacos. The Greek goalkeeper went 277 minutes without conceding in the Premier League, keeping clean sheets against Manchester United, Coventry and Aston Villa.
Hull eventually lost narrowly to Newcastle in the fifth round but sit eighth with eight points.
“Before the season, everyone said we’d go straight back down,” Tzolakis said.
Alongside four Greek titles with Olympiacos, he has a university degree in business administration. He is also a penalty specialist, saving Yoane Wissa’s spot-kick on Saturday. Only David Raya has made a Premier League penalty save this season.