Top 10 breakout stars of 2017

Kasper Dolberg

Dolberg has been quite a revelation

Ajax’s charge to the final of the Europa League rekindled memories of old. While the Dutch side, under the guidance of Peter Bosz, were not at the same level of the outfits that won the European Cup for the Amsterdam side four times, most recently in 1995, but they approached the game with the same exuberance.

One of their chief stars was 20-year-old attacker Kasper Dolberg, who announced himself at the highest level in spectacular fashion. While he finished the 2016-17 season with 16 goals, having only arrived from Silkeborg as a 17-year-old in January 2015, it was on the continental stage that he really caught the eye.

It has been his versatility that has been especially striking. He is an excellent finisher but is also capable of playing in a deeper role and acting as more of a playmaker, an attribute that makes him all the more marketable to the biggest clubs.

Indeed, so impressive was Dolberg that Manchester United and Real Madrid have been linked with the Denmark international forward, who is bound to take a step up in level over the course of the next year.

Nevertheless, 2017 will be remembered as the year that the attacker made his breakthrough, showing both maturity and class at the highest level.