5 players to watch out for in the new Champions League season

With just 10 days remaining for the new UEFA Champions League season to commence, all football fans across Europe and the world are abuzz with excitement to see the best of Europe battle it out, for the claiming the Coupe des Clubs Champions Européens.

The beauty of this competition is that here players from 32 of the best European teams get to compete against one another. Though facing off against superstars like Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Hazard may be some opponents' worst nightmare, there are quite a few players from other European clubs they should be wary of too.

With so many talented players representing their teams in the tournament, it is really mind-boggling to name some players who might standout. But based on current form and performances last season and in qualifier rounds, we just might take our best guess as to who's going to take this UCL season by storm.

So, here's the list 5 young players that the teams must watch out for because on their day these players can be absolutely unplayable.

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#5 Rony Lopes

Rony Lopes was a key player for Monaco last season scoring 15 goals

The 22-years-old Portuguese attacking midfielder is a rising star of the AS Monaco team that has produced and sold so many of such top class players over the years. Marcos Paulo Mesquita "Rony" Lopes, was the second highest goal scorer for the club last season, which helped them secure the second spot in Ligue 1.

Lopes not only scored 15 goals, but set up further 5 goals for his teammates. He is a player blessed with devastating acceleration, good close control and can dribble past full backs with ease. Despite his short height he is physically strong when on the ball and can shrug off defenders with ease.

Though the Manchester City's youngest ever goal scorer has only managed to score one goal so far this season, given his ability, this young lad can absolutely wreck havoc in the final third. And is surely one player to watch out for.

#4 Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw's solid performance this season earned him a call up for international duty

The 23-years-old left back has played every single minute for the Red Devils this season so far. In doing so he has managed to score his first senior goal for Manchester United. The defender is finally looking like he's back to his best after the double leg fracture in 2015 almost ended his career.

Shaw is known to make lightning-quick runs down the left flank and is also great at getting back in the back four formations. It has been seen this season though that he has been getting into free positions behind the opposition fullbacks, which makes him a serious threat on the left flank of the pitch.

Though he missed out on the World Cup, the confidence Mourinho has shown in him in making him the first choice left back, will definitely pay-off. And we can expect him to adjust to his tactics quickly and if he gets back to his best, he will be a key player for Red Devils and a player the opposition would definitely need to keep an eye on.

#3 Matthijs de Ligt

The teenage centre-back has already scored a goal in the Dutch league

Matthijs de Ligt, the 19-years-old is an imposing figure on the pitch, tall, strong but at the same time quick on the ball. He had the highest passing accuracy among all the Eredivisie defenders last season. He was the second youngest player to score for Ajax, behind only the club legend Clarence Seedorf. Described by many as the 'total defender', at 19 years of age his best is yet to come.

Having registered himself on the goal sheet for Ajax once this season already and also scoring a header in the third qualifying round of UEFA Champions League, it is clear that this imposing defender is also a goal threat from set-pieces.

And any team which faces Ajax, will not only have to find a way to get past him in the final third to score a goal but at the same time find ways to stop him from scoring a goal or two at the other end. His strength, defensive abilities, quick pace on the ball and a goal scoring threat from set-pieces make him a player to that opposition should watch out for.

#2 Leon Goretzka

Goretzka started in the match against Stuttgart for Bayern and scored his first goal for the club

The central midfielder, who can quite comfortably play as an attacking midfielder was given his first start for Bayern Munich last weekend by Niko Kovac. He justified his inclusion in the team by scoring his first league goal as a Bayern player and also setting another one up for Robert Lewandowski.

The 23-year-old midfield player is dubbed by many as the new German midfield magician. Well, he scored four goals for Schalke last season and set up further 2 for his teammates in 21 appearances. But these statistics don't do justice to his abilities, he likes to play deep and create chances, who scores them is not important to him.

But given his impressive start to his Bayern career, it only seems natural that Niko Kovac would like to utilize this young talent in the midfield now that Vidal has left for Barcelona and we can expect similar performances from this player, which would definitely be a cause of worry for the opposition defense.

#1 Hirving Lozano

Lozano has started this season with two goals and an assist in four Eredivisie fixtures

Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano, the new Mexican phenomena, who at the age of 23 years, had proven that he is ready for a bigger challenge like the UCL. He was the top scorer and assist provider for PSV last season. With 17 goals and 8 assists in 29 league starts, he is a force to reckon with.

He was the main attacking threat for El Tri at the World Cup, where he managed to score one goal against the reigning champions Germany and set another one up against South Korea. He managed to carry that form into the new Eredivisie season, with two goals and one assist in 4 games so far.

He even scored two goals in the UCL qualifying matches, so it becomes clear that if there's a goal scoring threat from PSV, it's going to be Chucky Lozano. Though not an established star yet in the European football, his goal-scoring ability and current form makes him one of the most dangerous players to play against. And he should be one of the top players the oppositions should watch out for.