UEFA Champions League has always been a breeding ground for talent, and the 2025/26 season is no exception. With rising stars making their mark, we have identified the top three players who have been standout performers so far. Alongside them, we present the Best XI, showcasing the most promising talents across all positions. These players are not only shaping the present of Europe football but also paving the way for its future. Let’s dive into the best emerging talents of the season!
Powered by CompaGPT, the cutting-edge AI tool from Comparisonator, this analysis turns complex football data into clear, actionable insights. With its latest advancements, CompaGPT transforms squad analysis, delivering an instant, comprehensive view of team performance. In seconds, it highlights standout players, identifies emerging young talents, and pinpoints key areas for improvement.
More than just analysis, CompaGPT provides strategic guidance to optimize transfer strategies. By accurately detecting top potential signings, it enables clubs to reinforce key positions and scout future stars with precision. With CompaGPT, raw data becomes powerful, data-driven intelligence, giving teams a competitive edge in the transfer market.
Joaquin Seys (’05) (LB) – Club Brugge
Joaquin Seys’s CompaGPT Offensive report:
Joaquin Seys emerged as a leading figure in offensive parameters among left-backs, demonstrating significant strengths in several key areas. His scoring ability is noteworthy, with an average of 1 goal per match, placing him first among 20 players in his position. His expected goals (xG) average per match of 0.58 further highlights his threat in advanced positions, outperforming peers like Brandon Mechele, who recorded 0.26 xG. Seys also excelled in creating opportunities, averaging 0.5 assists per match, sharing the top spot with Jayden Meghoma. His ability to set up teammates is complemented by 2 shot assists per match, indicating a strong contribution to the team’s attacking dynamics alongside peers like Fredrik Bjørkan.
Joaquin Seys has demonstrated superior performance in several key offensive metrics, including goals, expected goals, assists, shot assists, and shot on target assists. His ability to contribute both directly and indirectly to the team’s offensive success establishes him as a tactically significant player for Club Brugge, offering versatility and reliability in crucial match situations. Seys’ offensive acumen from the left-back position can be strategically leveraged to enhance the team’s attacking depth and effectiveness.
Joaquin Seys (’05) (LB) – Club Brugge
Hans Vanaken (’92) (CMF) – Club Brugge
Hans Vanaken’s CompaGPT Passing report:
In the selected matches against Rangers, Vanaken has excelled in several passing categories. He ranked first among 57 players in successful long passes, averaging 6.5 per match. This performance surpasses Mahmudu Bajo, who averaged 5 successful long passes. Vanaken’s ability to execute long passes effectively indicates his capacity to switch play and create opportunities from deeper positions, enhancing Club Brugge’s tactical flexibility. Moreover, Vanaken led in offensive passes, with an average of 69 per match, narrowly edging out Callum McGregor, who averaged 68. This dominance in offensive passing underscores Vanaken’s role in maintaining possession and dictating the pace of the game, essential for controlling midfield dynamics. His proficiency in successful offensive passes, averaging 65 per match, further highlights his reliability in distributing the ball accurately in attacking scenarios. This precision is vital for sustaining pressure on the opposition, ensuring continuous forward momentum.
Hans Vanaken’s best ranking parameters in the selected matches are his successful long passes, offensive passes, successful offensive passes, passes into the penalty box, and successful progressive passes. These aspects of his performance highlight his strategic importance to Club Brugge’s midfield operations, emphasizing his role in ball distribution, chance creation, and maintaining attacking pressure. Vanaken’s proficiency in these areas illustrates his tactical significance and ability to influence the game’s outcome through precise and impactful passing.
Hans Vanaken (’92) (CMF) – Club Brugge
Barnabás Varga (‘94) (CF) – Ferencvaros
Barnabás Varga’s CompaGPT Offensive report:
Barnabás Varga achieved an impressive ranking, being first among 26 players in his position with 1 goal and 1.1 expected goals (xG) average per match. This performance places him ahead of Youssoufa Moukoko and Kasper Høgh, who recorded 0.5 goals and 0.59 xG, respectively. Varga’s ability to consistently find scoring opportunities indicates his strong positioning and finishing skills, making him a key offensive asset for Ferencváros. In terms of shot production, Varga ranked first with 4.5 shots and 2 shots on target per match, demonstrating his willingness to take risks and his proficiency in target acquisition. Additionally, with 32 offensive actions per match, he led his position, edging out Mohamed Elyounoussi, who had 31. These figures highlight Varga’s aggressive approach in the attack, contributing significantly to Ferencváros’s forward momentum and shot creation.
Barnabás Varga’s top-ranking parameters in goals, expected goals, shots, offensive actions, and touches in the box underline his comprehensive offensive prowess. His leadership in these categories suggests a player who is consistently active in the attacking phase, contributing significantly to Ferencváros’s scoring potential. His ability to convert opportunities and maintain high involvement in the final third strategically positions him as a central figure in tactical setups aimed at maximizing offensive output.
Barnabás Varga (‘94) (CF) – Ferencvaros
