Youri Tielemans: Belgium's Latest Sensation Attracting Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea Interest
Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have stolen the show as big spending Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Anderlecht 5-0 in the Champions League but the Belgian side have one player within their ranks that could soon be making headlines of his own.
Youri Tielemans only turned 16 back in May but already he is a regular in the Anderlecht first team and has twice appeared in the Champions League; becoming the third youngest player to ever appear in Europe's elite competition.
The exceptionally talented winger is the latest Belgian to catch the eye of numerous Premier League clubs, with London trio Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all said to be paying close attention to his performances.
All three clubs already have high profile Belgian players in their ranks. Arsenal's club captain is still Thomas Vermalelen, Spurs have Mousa Dembele, Jan Vertonghen and Nacer Chadli, while Chelsea have the biggest contingent with Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois all on their books.
It seems a common theme that the best Belgian talent is moving to the Premier League and it appears just a matter of time before Tielemans joins his fellow countrymen in England.
Even his manager John van den Brom expects the young winger to move on from Anderlecht though he hopes it won't be as early as this January.
"Scouts are always here in the stands. In the case of Tielemans, I'm pretty confident that he will (leave)," said Van den Brom.
"Youri knows what he wants and attends school now even with his football. The club supports him in it and I think that's fantastic.
"Tielemans remains with his feet on the ground, he is supported by wonderful parents. I am convinced that after the winter (market), Youri will still play with us."
The Anderlecht boss is not the only man to lavish the youngster with praise. Former Everton and Anderlecht striker Tomasz Radzinski is also convinced he is destined for stardom.
"He's now confirmed his ability over several weeks," he enthused. "Sorry, but that's not a 16-year-old, he plays like a grown man. Truly a golden talent."
The Belgian club will be fully aware that they will struggle to keep hold of their brightest prospect but what is for certain, is that Tielemans will have plenty of options when he decides he is ready to move on.
Having already featured in the Champions League and represented Belgium at Under-21 level he will likely be keen to move to a club where his talent can flourish, and opportunities to continue his development will come regularly.
The question is whether Tottenham, Arsenal or Chelsea can add Tielemans to their burgeoning ranks of hugely talented Belgian players. Whoever wins the race for his signature may well have secured one of the brightest talents in European football.
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