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World Cup: Five overlooked under-23 players to look out for

By Benjamin Barkworth

BRAGA, PORTUGAL - MAY 28: Andre Silva of Portugal celebrates after scoring the first goal during the international friendly football match against Portugal and Tunisia at the Municipal stadium de Braga on May 28, 2018 in Braga, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
BRAGA, PORTUGAL - MAY 28: Andre Silva of Portugal celebrates after scoring the first goal during the international friendly football match against Portugal and Tunisia at the Municipal stadium de Braga on May 28, 2018 in Braga, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images) /
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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – JUNE 02: Kasper Dolberg of Denmark, Mikael Lustig of Sweden and Martin Braithwaite of Denmark during the International Friendly match between Sweden and Denmark at Friends Arena on June 2, 2018 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images)
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – JUNE 02: Kasper Dolberg of Denmark, Mikael Lustig of Sweden and Martin Braithwaite of Denmark during the International Friendly match between Sweden and Denmark at Friends Arena on June 2, 2018 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images) /

Kasper Dolberg

Dolberg struggled to live up to the heights of the previous season where Ajax reached the Europa League Final. However, there were a lot of other factors that played a part.

Peter Bosz joined Borussia Dortmund last summer, while players such as Davinson Sanchez and Davy Klaassen moved on.

The club lacked stability with two managers last season as well as internal divisions over the future of the club. He also picked up a foot injury which ruled him out for a few months. Neither Marcel Keizer or Erik ten Hag seemed to trust him as much as Bosz.

He has also struggled to adapt to their styles, and different passages of attacking play, because he often came deep in Bosz’s system to receive a pass before passing back and making a run in behind to exploit the space.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s arrival has had a negative impact on Dolberg because of the consistency he provides.

In 1143 league minutes, he only scored six goals with no assists. Last season, he scored 22 goals in 3092 minutes across the league and Europa League. The contrast is significant, but it can be expected from a 20-year-old striker who was so suited to Bosz’s system.

This season hasn’t been great for him, but he is still a talented prospect, and certainly one to look out for this World Cup.

His five national team appearances have all come as a substitute under Age Hareide, including the recent match against Sweden.

Nicolai Jorgensen appears to be first-choice striker, but Dolberg can still have an influence from the bench. He will have the benefit of coming against tired players physically and mentally.

This tournament comes at an ideal time for him to show his talent to the other teams across Europe.

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