The edge for the Golden Boy award was given to Rodrigo Faez by the fact that he was under pressure at Barcelona. There is a time and a place for it. There are some of the most in-form talent aged 23 or under across Europe's top league each month. We'll shine a light on some of those who deserve praise, even if they aren't on the list every month. You can watch LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, more on the US version of the network. October's key statistics can be found in the info section of the sports website.
Chances created: 12 (1st for Napoli)
Expected Assists: 1.34 (1st)
Shots: 10 (2nd)Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, 21, forward, Napoli
Kvarats Khelia has emerged from the relative obscurity of Eastern European football and will be in the spotlight in the coming months. Forced to leave Rubin Kazan after the country's invasion of Ukraine, he returned to his native Georgia to sign for Dinamo Batumi in March and was subsequently snapped up by Napoli for around 12 million.
The impact of the forward has been incredible so far this season with seven goals and eight assists. Typically lined up in an advanced position on the left, Kvaratskhelia has caught the eye with his high-speed dribbling and ability to set up triangles and combinations that lead to shots on goal.
His dribbling skills have prompted the nickname "Kvaradona" (no mean feat to be compared to the legendary Diego Maradona when the stadium you play in is named after him) and were typified on Sunday when he recorded 18 dribbles. He has three goals and five assists for Napoli this month, which has them at the top of the Italian league.
In addition to his skill on the ball (he averages nearly seven touches in the opposing penalty area per game, which speaks volumes about the progressive nature of his game), Kvarats Khelia also possesses a right foot with the sensitivity to curl efforts into the far corner when he cuts in Luciano Spalletti has begun to rely on the Georgia international over the full 90 minutes.
October's key statistics in the United Kingdom.
Shots on goal percentage: 66% (1st for Shakhtar)
Chances created: 3 (2nd)
Expected Goals: 0.48 (2nd)
The Ukrainian international is one of the top prospects outside of Europe. He played well against Real Madrid and set up three goals in a league match against Metalist, as well as scoring and assisting in a league match against Shakhtar. The icing on the cake, however, was a stunning individual goal, which was struck into the top corner from outside the box, in the group stage match against Celtic.
The creative, technically gifted Mudryk shares some of the qualities of Kvaratskhaelia and, being a right-footed inverted winger, he thrives when cutting in on his right foot.
Mudryk doesn't mind going it alone and can produce a goal or a defense-splitting assist in an instant.
The key statistics for October.
Passes in final third: 46 (1st for Groningen)
Expected Goals: 1.54 (1st)
Shots: 7 (1st=)
Whether thrown into the Bundesliga too early or feeling the weight of the 16.36m transfer fee, the former FC Dallas forward was still looking to get off the mark for his new club.
The Dutch Eredivisie has proved to be a good place for the USMNT star to find his form before the World Cup. In the 4-2 win against PSV at the weekend, the 19-year-old appeared more alert and assertive than he has been in the past.
The space on offer in the Dutch league has aided the improvement of the link-up game.
The key statistics for October.
Recovery: 26 (2nd= for Benfica)
Tackles: 8 (1st)
Interceptions: 7 (2nd=)
Luis has gone from a fringe player to a key component in a short period of time. The Portugal U21 player spent two years on loan at Monaco and Getafe. Under the guidance of newly appointed German head coach Roger Schmidt, the 23-year-old has enjoyed plenty of playing time and trust as the main grafter of the two central midfielders.
The former chief executive of AS Monaco is a Norwegian football scout and executive. He will be writing about soccer and the process of scouting.
There are few who have a better sense of where to grab the ball than the young man. In the away win at FC Porto last Friday, the captain entered an impressive 26 challenges in the middle of the field, with no fewer than nine ball recoveries, and he enjoyed one of those performances where he seemed to be sweeping up the ball everywhere.
Luis recently signed a new five-year deal with Benfica, despite reports that he was going to join the Reds.
The key statistics for October.
Tackles: 8 (2nd= for Barcelona)
Duels: 46 (7th)
Touches: 435 (4th)
Balde staked a strong claim for the left-back position with an assured performance in the home win against Athletic Club. Though there will be plenty of ups and downs for the young defender, he showed some encouraging signs of improvement in areas of his game that are still subject to development.
Balde's athletic ability, speed, energy and willingness to support the attack have never been questioned, but he has been less imposing and can still show his naivete. The left-back was not worried by the threat posed by the right side of the Athletic attack.
Balde won the ball in advanced positions, excelled in attacking one-vs.-ones and is becoming a more reliable option on the left when Barcelona play out from the back.
The key statistics for October.
Chances created: 11 (1st for Frankfurt)
Expected Goals: 2.72 (2nd)
Key pass: 11 (1st)
In his second season in the German top-flight, the Denmark international has been in top form. Over the past month, he has four goals and one assist, making him one of the best attacking midfielders in the German league.
Lindstrom thrives in that space behind the main strikers and can move into the penalty area with his dribbling and close ball control. He finished off a similar move against Leverkusen a week earlier with an exquisite right-footed chip.
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