The In-Form Young Footballers in 2019

10) Kai Havertz, 19, Bayer Leverkusen

Peter Bosz’s arrival as Bayer Leverkusen head coach just before Christmas has had a galvanising effect on a number of his players. Kai Havertz has certainly profited from the Dutchman’s possession-based approach. The teenager, now operating in a midfield three, has scored in three of his last four leagues games and boasts a pass accuracy of 87.4% in 2019. Rating: 7.42

9) Sofiane Alakouch, 20, Nîmes

Nîmes began the year with an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to third-tier Lyon-Duchère in the Coupe de France, but they have bounced back strongly. Sofiane Alakouch got the ball rolling for the club in their first league game of the year, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Nantes. The 20-year-old right-back has also been in great form defensively, with a whopping 41 tackles and interceptions combined in his five league appearances so far this year. Rating: 7.50

8) Tyler Adams, 20, RB Leipzig

When RB Leipzig secured the signature of Tyler Adams from New York Red Bulls, few expected the 20-year-old to break into the starting line-up so soon. However, the USA international has started three of his four appearances in the Bundesliga so far, winning 16 and completing eight dribbles as he proves his ability in and out of possession in the middle of the park. Rating: 7.51

7) Marcus Rashford, 21, Manchester United

Marcus Rashford has been in scintillating form since Ole Gunnar Solskjær took over at Manchester United in December. The England striker has scored in four of his five league appearances in 2019, with no player taking more shots since the turn of the year. In fact, 47% of his shots this season have been in his last five games. Rating: 7.51

6) Nicolo Zaniolo, 19, Roma

Nicolo Zaniolo ended 2018 strongly, scoring his first senior goal in Serie A on Boxing Day, and he has stepped it up again in 2019. The 19-year-old has scored two more league goals for Roma and he also hit a match-winning brace in the Champions League against Porto. He has also set up two further goals in his five league starts in 2019. Rating: 7.74

5) Gianluigi Donnarumma, 19, Milan

After an outstanding campaign in 2016-17, Gianluigi Donnarumma regressed last season and many began wondering if the young keeper had been overhyped. He started this season well and his form in recent months has been excellent. Remarkably still just 19 years of age, the Italy international has been key to Milan’s assault on the top four in Serie A, conceding just twice in five league appearances since the turn of the year. Rating: 7.82

4) Achraf Hakimi, 20, Borussia Dortmund

When Real Madrid allowed defender Achraf Hakimi to leave the club on loan in the summer, Borussia Dortmund showed no hesitation in snapping up the Moroccan international. Real Madrid spent €35m on Álvaro Odriozola, paving the way for Hakimi to leave, but while Odriozola has struggled at the Bernabéu, Hakimi has been a revelation in the Bundesliga. Despite filling in on his unflavoured left side for the majority of the season, the 20-year-old has attacked with great purpose, having a direct hand in six league goals. In 2019 alone he has made 10 tackles, 12 interceptions and completed 13 dribbles in four league appearances. Rating: 7.89

3) Ibrahima Konaté, 19, RB Leipzig

Having arrived at Leipzig on a free transfer in 2017, Ibrahima Konaté did not take long to force his way into the first team. The centre-back has become an important part of a very strong defensive unit this season. The 19-year-old has started four of his side’s league matches since the turn of the year, scoring in the convincing win at Dusseldorf and weighing in with 10 tackles and 13 interceptions. His ability to bring the ball out from the back has also been increasingly evident, completing eight dribbles from the heart of the defence so far this year. Rating: 7.90

2) Jadon Sancho, 19, Borussia Dortmund

If there were any doubts as to whether Jadon Sancho would be able to maintain his sparkling early-season form after the Winterpause in Germany, the English teenager has quashed them quite emphatically. He’s added another goal and two assists to his league tally in 2019 and become one of the first names on the teamsheet, creating 12 chances and completing a remarkable 29 dribbles in five appearances – six more than any other player in the Bundesliga. Rating: 7.91

1) Kylian Mbappé, 20, Paris Saint-Germain

To include Kylian Mbappé in a list of top youngsters almost seems unfair to the competition nowadays. He has only just turned 20, but the PSG forward has been one of the very best players in the world for some time. He proved as much on the grandest stage in Russia last summer and has continued to do so all season in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League. He has scored in each of his last three games for PSG, taking his tally to eight for 2019. Rating: 7.93

The Guardian Sport

Hady Habib isn't likely to find anything too daunting at the Australian Open now that he's become the first Lebanese player in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam men's singles draw.
He advanced through three rounds of the qualifying at Melbourne Park, winning his third match in a tiebreaker 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8) over Clement Chidekh of France on Thursday to secure a place in the main draw of the tournament that starts Sunday, The Associated Press reported.
It continued a rapid rise for Habib, who made his Olympic debut last year in Paris, running into eventual silver medalist Carlos Alcaraz, a four-time major winner, in the first round. It was two sets he'll long remember.
Late last year, he made history at Temuco, Chile by becoming the first ATP Challenger Tour champion from Lebanon.
The 26-year-old Habib was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Lebanon as a young child, learning how to play there. He returned to the US to pursue a pro career and feels now like he's representing of the spirit of Lebanese people.
“I know it’s just a sport, but I feel like representing Lebanon and sacrificing all the things I had to do to get here, it kind of resembles how our nation has fought back,” Habib told Australia's SBS News this week.
His personal success has come at a difficult time during the war between Israel and Hezbollah.
“Every morning, I was waking up during that challenging time, I was contacting all my family members, my friends, making sure they’re okay,” Habib told SBS News. "My heart’s just shattered to see what’s happening to our country and people.
“It was a hard time mentally for me, knowing that you can’t do anything to help, but I’m glad things are calming down now. Hopefully we’ll find some peace.”
Habib's first-round opponent at Melbourne Park will be determined when all qualifiers are inserted into the main draw.

The In-Form Young Footballers in 2019