30 Lower-League Players Top-Flight Teams Should Target in January

Here are 30 footballers from the lower leagues who should be January transfer window targets for top-flight European teams. 

What qualifies as a top-flight European team?

A club from the Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, the English Premier League, Ligue 1 and the Russian Premier League, the top six leagues in Europe, per UEFA.com.

What qualifies as a team from the lower leagues? A club not from the aforementioned top six European leagues.

Criteria

The 30 footballers from lower leagues will be subjectively ranked via a combination of:

• Performance this season.
• Transfer value.
• Upside.

30. Martin Odegaard

Stromsgodset's Norwegian central attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard, 15, is already a professional in his field while most of his contemporaries are probably still at home playing FIFA 15. 

How good is Odegaard throughout the span of 90 minutes? I don't know. 

He is the only player on this list that I have not watched a full game of to gauge his strengths, weaknesses, his demeanour, what he does on and off the ball, etc. 

That is why he is placed at No. 30 by default. 

However, for him to be playing for the Norway national team and to be a first-team regular at 15 years of age suggests he is a special talent.

If Australian prodigy Daniel De Silva, who made his professional debut as a 15-year-old (now 17 years old), can attain a contract at Roma, it bodes well for Odegaard since he is already playing in Europe.

Hopefully for Odegaard, he is not an early bloomer like Diego Suarez, who was playing in the Copa Libertadores for Bolivian club Blooming as a 15-year-old, per Jeff Carlisle's book Soccer's Most Wanted II.

Conversely, Odegaard could be headed for greatness (Sergio Aguero was playing professional football as a 15-year-old).

29. Tomi Juric

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Western Sydney Wanderers' Australian centre-forward Tomi Juric, 23, is a step above most A-League players from a talent perspective.

He has a playing style which could see him emulate Mark Viduka.

Juric has, however, distanced himself from the comparisons.

He said, per Dominic Bossi at the Sydney Morning Herald:

"

I'm nowhere near Mark Viduka but it was [Socceroo] Archie Thompson who first mentioned that. But those comparisons [to Viduka] are nothing more than comparisons and they're just people's opinions.

"

Despite being raw, Juric came up big in the Asian Champions League final, scoring the decisive goal in the first of two legs to help the salary-capped Wanderers overcome Al-Hilal, backed by Saudi Arabian royalty.

Juric's physical prowess combined with a positive attitude and a tendency to quickly get off shots suggests he has the ability to play at a higher level.

28. Kim Seung-dae

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Pohang Steelers' South Korean deep-lying forward Kim Seung-dae, 23, has been a star for club and country.

In the K League, he has scored 10 goals and registered seven assists in 28 games, while he was a lively threat in the Asian Champions League.

When playing for the South Korean U23 team, he was praised by manager Lee Kwang-jong, per Kwon Sang-soo at the Korea Joongang Daily. 

Three years ago, it was another Kim expected to succeed. 

Kim Kyung-jung was an "outstanding player," according to the FIFA technical study group at the 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup, per FIFA.com: "Pacey attacking midfielder with good dribbling skills and crosses."

Kyung-jung's career stalled trying to make it in France, and he has since taken the Nam Tae-hee career route of playing in Qatar.

In comparison, Seung-dae has grown, having received invaluable reps at home and is getting himself ready to transition to European football.

27. Elkeson

Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Guangzhou Evergrande's Brazilian deep-lying forward Elkeson, 25, is in a situation comparable to Hulk during his Japanese journey.

A Brazilian with the quality to play in Europe dominating physically and technically in an Asian league. 

Elkeson scooped up another two awards: the Chinese Super League Player of the Year and the top scorer title.

He finishes with either feet, is a set-piece specialist, can receive the ball from deep, routinely takes on opposing players and torments CSL defences. 

Why hasn't he moved to Europe? Money talks. 

Evergrande are backed by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma (worth $24.4 billion, per Forbes), who negotiated a $192 million cut for 50 percent ownership while drunk, per Gordon G. Chang at Forbes.

Elkeson is in the right place at the perfect time if he is purely motivated by money. 

While he looks like a superstar in China, it remains to be seen if he can thrive in Europe.

26. Emil Forsberg

Andreas Hillergren/Associated Press

Malmo's Swedish left-winger Emil Forsberg, 23, was a bright spot as the Allsvenskan club were comprehensively beaten 5-0 and 2-0 by Atletico Madrid.

Forsberg is comfortable in possession, draws cheap fouls from opposing players and works hard without the ball.

He has the ability to play in Germany. Why Germany?

Several Malmo players in the past transferred to German clubs.

• 2014: Jiloan Hamad (Hoffenheim).
• 2014: Miiko Albornoz (Hannover 96).
• 1995: Jorgen Pettersson (Borussia Monchengladbach).
• 1991: Martin Dahlin (Borussia Monchengladbach).
• 1966: Lars Granstrom (Karlsruher).

25. Dennis Praet

Emrah Gurel/Associated Press

Anderlecht's Belgian central attacking midfielder Dennis Praet, 20, runs hard, is a tidy passer and has neat dribbling ability. 

However, he needs to be more assertive.

Aside from a few vital moments (scored against Galatasaray and created a goal against Arsenal), Praet has a tendency to float through games.

In comparison, his team-mates are more visible when you watch Anderlecht.

• Frank Acheampong possesses incredible pace.
• Andy Najar is all over the field.
• Youri Tielemans is constantly demanding the ball. 

24. Frank Acheampong

Kaz Photography/Getty Images

Anderlecht's Ghanaian left-back/left winger Frank Acheampong, 21, was one of the stars at the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup.

He was described as a "key player" by the FIFA technical study group, per FIFA.com: "Dynamic left-sided midfielder with excellent technique, quick off the mark, good runs, excels in one-on-one situations."

Acheampong should play in attack full-time since he is an explosive speedster, who flashed the ability to score and create at the FIFA U20 World Cup.

23. Andy Najar

Yves Logghe/Associated Press

Anderlecht's Honduran right-back/right attacking midfielder Andy Najar, 21, is a prospect to monitor.

The 2010 Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year recipient for D.C. United, Najar is now a budding star in Europe.

He has speed, is a clean tackler, can play in two positions and is lethal in the attacking half, as Arsenal will attest to (has scored once and created a goal in two games against the Gunners).

22. Roberto Jimenez

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Olympiacos' Spanish goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez, 28, could do an adequate job for a team in one of Europe's elite leagues.

He already has top-flight experience, having played for Atletico Madrid and Real Zaragoza.

This season for Olympiacos, he has made 16 saves in four UEFA Champions League games, 12 coming in the penalty area. 

21. Tommy Oar

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Utrecht's Australian left forward Tommy Oar, 22, is the ideal wide player for goal-poaching No. 9s.

He can slalom dribble his way past multiple opposing players and is a pass-first footballer. 

He has registered six assists in nine Eredivisie games and created 37 scoring chances for his team-mates via 4.1 key passes per game.

20. Alex Teixeira

Efrem Lukatsky/Associated Press

Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian central attacking midfielder Alex Teixeira, 24, is primed for a notable transfer.

Teixeira keeps possession well (88.1 pass completion percentage) and is an extremely skilful player with a technical level comparable to Matuzalem.

Despite being a technician, Teixeira also puts in a defensive shift like Willian.

19. Kristoffer Nordfeldt

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Heerenveen's Swedish goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt, 25, is an emerging shot-stopper.

Nordfeldt has prototypical goalkeeping size (6'3" and 187 pounds) and has been impressive leading the Eredivisie in saves (57).

During the 2012 January transfer window when Nordfeldt was at Brommapojkarna, he was in talks to join Liverpool, per the Daily Mail.

18. Jonatan Soriano

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

Red Bull Salzburg's Spanish centre-forward Jonatan Soriano, 29, looked like an ex-wunderkind whose career was going to tank after failing to make an impression at Espanyol. 

A move to Barcelona B rekindled the scoring touch he had displayed as a youth international star.

He has continued his run at Salzburg.

Perhaps the Austrian Bundesliga is the perfect level he should be playing at, but his immense scoring record (77 goals in 87 league games) could possibly pave a move back to one of Europe's elite leagues.

17. Marcelo Brozovic

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Dinamo Zagreb's Croatian central midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, 22, is a promising footballer. 

Brozovic can effortlessly dribble past opposing players.

In addition, he is a conductor of play, averaging 61.5 passes per game in the UEFA Europa League this season.

He possesses the talent to be Dinamo's next big central midfield export following the likes of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Milan Badelj, Ognjen Vukojevic et al.

16. Luiz Adriano

Sergei Grits/Associated Press

Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian centre-forward Luiz Adriano, 27, is the leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League this season with nine goals, four more than second top-scorer Karim Benzema of Real Madrid (five goals).

While Adriano has looked sharp in the Champions League, eight of his nine goals have come against BATE Borisov. 

Is he a flat-track bully who inflates his scoring record against weak teams?

15. Thulani Serero

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Ajax's South African central midfielder Thulani Serero, 24, is a committed and team-first footballer.

He keeps his passing simple, is constantly pestering opposing footballers into turning over the ball and can open up opposing defences with his speed. 

Serero averages 2.5 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game in the Eredivisie this season.

14. Fabian Schar

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Basel's Swiss centre-back Fabian Schar, 22, has been hit-and-miss in the UEFA Champions League. 

He had a game to forget in a 5-1 defeat to Real Madrid, yet showed elite potential in a 1-0 win over Liverpool. 

Schar was composed, firm and frustrated Liverpool centre-forward Mario Balotelli.

Though, given Balotelli's struggles (one goal in 911 minutes of combined Premier League/Champions League play this season), it is not a strong point for Schar.

He has the characteristics to be an elite centre-back, but he needs to perform against big teams like Real Madrid if he wants that career-changing transfer.

13. Jackson Martinez

Alvaro Barrientos/Associated Press

Porto's Colombian centre-forward Jackson Martinez, 28, is a prolific goalscorer. 

He netted 34 goals in the 2012-13 season and 31 goals last season.

This campaign, Martinez has scored four times in the UEFA Champions League and seven times in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

Martinez is not an inactive No. 9 without the ball, as he works hard applying pressure to opposing defenders, which is an underrated trait.

12. Anwar El Ghazi

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Ajax's Dutch right forward Anwar El Ghazi, 19, has outstanding attributes. 

A tall, tough and technically gifted footballer, El Ghazi can manufacture his own shot, produces incisive passes for his team-mates and regularly creates separation from opposing defenders.

El Ghazi has scored five goals and registered five assists in 13 Eredivisie games this season.

11. Jordy Clasie

Sergei Chuzavkov/Associated Press

Feyenoord's Dutch central midfielder Jordy Clasie, 23, has remained steady, but his displays have not spiralled upwards to the extent that he becomes a can't-miss transfer. 

Clasie provides grit in midfield, will orchestrate play and acts as a link between midfield and attack. 

He averages 59.6 passes per game in the Eredivisie which increases to 62.3 in the UEFA Europa League this season.

One issue Clasie has is tripping up opposing players when they get past him. If he can nullify that tendency, then his defending should improve.

10. Andriy Yarmolenko

Sergei Chuzavkov/Associated Press

Dynamo Kyiv's Ukrainian right attacking midfielder Andriy Yarmolenko, 25, is a seasoned pro and ready to make the jump to a bigger league. 

Yarmolenko is physically imposing, has an excellent left foot and can dart past opposing players.

In the UEFA Europa League this season, he has scored two goals and registered three assists in four games.

9. Breel Embolo

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Basel's Swiss centre-forward Breel Embolo, 17, not only operates centrally but can drift out wide and drops deep. 

It could be youthful exuberance or maybe he has the green light because he is an all-round talent.

When you have Chelsea and Manchester City stockpiling their youth teams with top-flight standard wunderkinds, don't be surprised if Embolo became a prime transfer target down the line.

8. Nemanja Gudelj

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AZ's Serbian central midfielder Nemanja Gudelj, 23, flashed promise at NAC Breda, but now he is consistently producing assertive performances. 

He is brawny, possesses a high stamina level and is a powerful runner. 

If Gudelj can improve his scoring efficiency (four goals from 34 shots), he will begin to garner interest from major European clubs.

7. Youri Tielemans

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Anderlecht's Belgian central midfielder Youri Tielemans, 17, is being watched by many, one being Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp. 

"Of course I know Youri," Klopp said, per Tim Pfeifer at FIFA.com. "You'd have to be blind not to sit up and take notice of him."

If you are projecting Tielemans' upside as a 17-year-old, who is already embarking on his second UEFA Champions League campaign, then you begin to understand why he is expected to transition into a world-class footballer. 

Tielemans reads play excellently having intercepted 12 passes.

He also shows responsibility by demanding the ball averaging 45.5 passes per game.

6. Marko Vejinovic

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Vitesse's Dutch [1] central midfielder Marko Vejinovic, 24, was just another run-of-the-mill footballer at Heracles Almelo. 

The progress he has made at Vitesse is startling.

There are shades of Mark van Bommel in Vejinovic's style: big, strong, aggressive midfielder, who can also poach goals.

Vejinovic has accumulated 39 tackles, 17 interceptions and scored six times in 13 Eredivisie games this season.

---

[1] Has been approached to play for Serbia.

5. Adam Maher

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

PSV Eindhoven's Dutch central midfielder Adam Maher, 21, is extensive in covering the field. 

Maher has scored six times in 12 Eredivisie games while also having defensive duties and organising the shape of the midfield. 

He is high-octane like Park Ji-sung and has a comprehensive playing style comparable to Kevin Strootman.

Park left PSV for Manchester United and Strootman went to Roma, so if Maher can continue to develop, he should be at a big club in several years' time.

4. William Carvalho

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Sporting Lisbon's Portuguese central midfielder William Carvalho, 22, has world-class upside.

William charging into the opposing penalty box and making piercing passes shows he can function as a complete midfielder, rather than just a No. 6. 

He controls the pace of play for Sporting completing 83.8 percent of his 57.3 passes per game in the UEFA Champions League.

That said, he has not been as dominant as the hype would suggest.

He is still raw, often conceding daft fouls and not retaining correct defensive positioning. 

Yes, William is a big talent, but that was also the case with three former Sporting midfielders: Delfim Teixeira, Hugo Viana and Miguel Veloso.

Neither three became superstar midfielders.

3. Memphis Depay

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

PSV Eindhoven's Dutch left forward Memphis Depay, 20, is purposeful when he is in the attacking half.

He possesses the same resolve as the likes of Romario, Ronaldo Luis, Luc Nilis and Mateja Kezman, all prolific scorers for PSV.

Even though Depay has a mechanical style of cutting in and shooting with the right foot, he is effective having scored seven times in nine Eredivisie games this season.

2. Davy Klaassen

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Ajax's Dutch central midfielder/central attacking midfielder Davy Klaassen, 21, should be viewed by major European clubs as a No. 8 and No. 10 prospect. 

Klaassen leads Eredivisie footballers in final-third passes (146) and has registered seven assists in league play this season, so he has the creativity to be a class central attacking midfielder.

If asked to play as a central midfielder, Klaassen possesses the box-to-box running and defensive ability (2.8 tackles per game) to thrive in that position.

With an all-round playing style, Klaassen is a tremendous footballer.

1. Anderson Talisca

Paulo Duarte/Associated Press

Benfica's Brazilian deep-lying forward Anderson Talisca, 20, is an exceptional talent. 

His ability to get his marker off balance enables him to shoot without pressure.

His left foot is lethal from all ranges, hence why he has scored eight times in 10 league games.

In 1989, Benfica signed Brazilian centre-back Aldair from Flamengo.

He played a season before Roma came calling. He was later inducted into the Roma Hall of Fame and was a member of Brazil's 1994 FIFA World Cup winning squad. 

Like Aldair, Talisca could be one-and-done at Benfica, because he has the makings of a once-in-a-generation prospect.

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