IN-DEPTH LOOK – Players to look watch at Red Bull Salzburg this season

Earlier this week, RB Salzburg beat Brondby IF 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier, and if they can hold onto their advantage next Wednesday, they will be in the Champions League group draw next week.

RB Salzburg have a reputation of having a great set of young talents in their squad. Recently, they have had talents such as Dominik Szoboszlai, Patson Daka and Erling Haaland.

Once again, they have a bright set of young talents in the squad, which can help Salzburg propel for the league title, and make a great push in European competitions.

Here is a look at some who could have a great impact this season.

Maximilian Wober

Despite only being 23, he is one of the more experienced players in the Salzburg team, as he’s made 73 appearances for the club since his arrival in 2019

He is a left footed center back, who is good with playing the ball out of the back. He’s able to play short passes into the midfielders or to fullbacks. He can also play the long ball over the top which can pick out the wingers and forwards.

In addition, he’s good in the air. He’s won a great amount of air duels since he has arrived at Salzburg, and it’s a key part of his game. He uses his strength and jumping ability to win a number of important battles.

His football brain is so important to his overall play, as his positioning is top class. Since his arrival in Austria, he hasn’t picked up one red card. He does this with clever with his positioning, while also making substantial tackles.

He has been leading the Salzburg defense for the last three seasons, and with his talents, it’s likely many teams will be looking at the young defender this season.

Karim Adeyemi

This season will be a breakout season for the young German, and it’s been the perfect start, as he’s scored 7 and assisted 1 in all competitions already this season.

He has played as a striker and a left winger in the recently, and he’s done that with his remarkable pace. He combines that well with top level dribbling and finishing, which allows him top play in those forward positions.

He is an extremely intense forward, who presses from the front. He presses a lot during the games, and it normally results in the opposition defenders making mistakes, and he punishes them with his killer left foot.

Playing the ball into dangerous positions for his teammates is a fundamental to his craft. Despite having only one assist so far this season, he creates a lot of chances, which help Salzburg burst forward in their games.

His natural finishing ability has helped him pick up many admires. If he can continue with this positive start which he has begun the season with, many teams will have a close eye on the German.

Noah Okafor

He’s a talented young Switzerland playmaker, who can create a lot of problems for the oppositions defense.

Okafor joined Salzburg from Basel in January 2020, for a fee around £10 million, and he has been a brilliant asset in this squad.

He has great close control, which helps him glide past defenders. It’s one of the most important attributes in his game, due to his great agility and skillfulness.

He’s only started one game this season, but he has scored 1 goal, and he will surely get more starts, more goals and more assists through-out the season.

He is mainly a playmaker out wide, similar to Riyad Mahrez. He plays out wide of the left wing, and whips the ball into the box with his left foot, or makes dangerous runs into the box and strikes it goalward.

However, he doesn’t only use his left foot. Some players on the wing are limited with what they can do with the ball, but not Okafor, as he can also whip the ball into the top corner with his fantastic, slightly weaker foot.

He has great crossing and passing ability, which can pick out teammates making runs into dangerous areas in the box.

He’s a player with a lot of quality, and can be vital in helping Salzburg succeed this season.

What Else?

However, these aren’t the only top quality players at the club, as there are so many more.

Oumar Solet and Kamil Piatkowski are brilliant defenders that Salzburg possess. They are both strong and fast center halves, who can both partner Wober, or even play together.

Mohamed Camara is a solid box-to-box midfielder, with significant qualities, while Luka Sucic is a great attacking midfielder, who is able at picking passes to open up defenses.

Sekou Keita and Mergim Berisha are two quality forwards for Salzburg, who both have different attributes which they add to the team.

They have so many more young jewels in their squad, who can make a difference, as the majority in the squad have the characteristics to become fantastic players.

“File:FC Red Bull Salzburg gegen SC Wiener Neustadt (5. Oktober 2014) 02.JPG” by Werner100359 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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