Top 3 Players to Follow Up in Finland Veikkausliiga 2026 Season So Far

As the 2026 Finland Veikkausliiga season progresses, several young talents are making their mark. Here are three standout U23 players who have been turning heads with their performances. Samuel Chukwudi from SJK, Otto Ruoppi from KuPS Kuopio and Loic Essamba from Inter Turku are analyzed based on data from Comparisonator platform. Their impressive statistics highlight their influence on the pitch and their potential for future success.

Powered by CompaAI, an advanced AI tool by Comparisonator, this analysis transforms complex football data into clear, actionable insights. With its latest feature, CompaAI redefines squad analysis, providing an instant, in-depth view of team performance. In just seconds, it highlights standout players, identifies emerging young talents, and detects areas that need reinforcement.

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Samuel Chukwudi (CB – ’03) – SJK

Samuel Chukwudi‘s CompaAI Parameters League Duels report:

Samuel Chukwudi’s clearest strength is aerial dominance. He ranks 1st out of 10 among U23 CBs in Air duels average per match (8.33), Air duels won average per match (5.83), Air duels won – Offensive average per match (3.17), Air duels won – Defensive average per match (2.67), and Duels won, % average per match (70.09). He is ahead of the nearest competitors in each metric, such as Emmanuel Okereke at 5.5 air duels average per match, Ville Kumpu at 4 air duels won average per match, and Ville Kumpu at 69.33 duels won %. This points to a defender who is highly reliable in direct contests, especially in contested aerial situations both in attacking and defensive phases. Tactically, this profile is valuable for a back line that faces direct play, crosses, long balls, and set-piece pressure. He also shows strong overall duel volume and efficiency. Chukwudi ranks 2nd out of 10 in Duels won average per match (13.67) and Ground duels won, % (73.08), while his Duels average per match (19.5) places him 3rd. Compared with the leaders, he is close to Ilari Kangasniemi’s 14 duels won average per match and Eetu Turkki’s 78.95 ground duels won %. This suggests he is not only active in duels, but also efficient when committing to them. From a tactical perspective, that can support a defender who is comfortable stepping into contests, defending space aggressively, and sustaining physical duels across the match.

Chukwudi’s best ranking parameters are clearly his aerial duel metrics and overall duel efficiency, where he leads the U23 CB group in Air duels average, Air duels won average, offensive and defensive aerial wins, and duels won %. His strongest tactical value comes in defending crosses, long balls, and set pieces, while also holding a strong level in general duel success. The main concerns are his lower ranking in offensive ground-duel winning and limited pressing duel output, which can make him less impactful in aggressive front-foot defensive structures. Overall, he profiles as a strong duel-winning centre-back who may fit best in a system that values box defending, second-ball security, and aerial control.

Samuel Chukwudi (CB – ’03) – SJK

Otto Ruoppi (AMF – ’06) – KuPS Kuopio

Otto Ruoppi‘s CompaAI Parameters League Offensive report:

Ruoppi’s biggest strength is his final-third and chance-creation volume. He ranks 1st out of 6 among U23 AMFs for Expected assists (0.24), Shot assists (2.0), Dribbles (1.83), Dribbling in the final third (1.67), Touches in box (4.67), Offensive actions (30.33), and Successful offensive actions (19.5). He leads each of these categories ahead of the nearest competitors, such as Jesse Kilo in offensive actions and Jardell Kanga in shot-assist-related output. This points to a player who is consistently involved in attacking sequences, progresses play through dribbling, and repeatedly enters dangerous areas. Tactically, this profile fits a free attacking midfielder role between the lines, where he can receive, combine, and attack the box rather than operate as a static creator. His second major strength is direct end product. Ruoppi ranks 2nd out of 6 for Goals (0.33), tied with Kasper Paananen and only behind Jardell Kanga’s 0.5. He is also 2nd in Progressive runs (1.33), behind Jesse Kilo’s 3.5, and 2nd in Penalties and Successful penalties with 0, alongside Martin Kirilov. In addition, he sits 2nd in Shots on target converted to goals, % (66.67), trailing Kanga’s 100%. This suggests that when Ruoppi gets into finishing zones, he can be efficient, even if his shot volume is not among the highest. From a tactical view, he looks suited to late box arrivals and supporting a striker rather than being used as the main shooting reference. A further positive is his reliable contribution to attacking sequences, even when he is not the final action. He ranks 3rd out of 6 in Playing in scoring attacks (0.83), Assists (0.17), Shot on target assists (0.33), Shots (1.33), Shots on target (0.5), Successful dribbling in the final third (0.83), and Opportunity (0.83). While these are not top-two outputs, they still place him in the upper half of the group across several creative and finishing-related indicators. That combination indicates a player who can contribute both as a chance creator and as a secondary goal threat.

Ruoppi’s strongest seasonal indicators are clearly his Expected assists, Shot assists, Dribbles, Dribbling in the final third, Touches in box, Offensive actions, and Successful offensive actions, where he ranks 1st out of 6 in all seven categories. He also adds useful finishing value with 0.33 goals per match, a 2nd-place ranking in both goals and progressive runs, and solid involvement in scoring attacks. Overall, his profile suggests a high-activity attacking midfielder who can create, carry, and arrive in dangerous zones. He can be used as a central connector in an advanced midfield role, with freedom to attack the box and combine in the final third, while structured support around him may help maximize his shooting efficiency and dribbling success.

Otto Ruoppi (AMF – ’06) – KuPS Kuopio

Loic Essomba (RW – ’03) – Inter Turku

Loic Essomba‘s CompaAI Parameters League Offensive report:

Loic Essomba’s clearest strength is his chance creation volume. He ranks 1st out of 16 in Expected assists (0.21), Shot assists (1.86), and Shot on target assists (1.43) per match. Compared with the category leaders, he is either the outright leader or tied for the top spot in these key creative metrics, ahead of players like Maksim Stjopin in xA and Jesse Kilo in shot-assist related outputs. This profile indicates a winger who consistently generates quality passing actions in dangerous areas rather than relying only on isolated dribble attempts. Tactically, he can be used as a primary wide creator, especially in systems that look for cut-backs, half-space combinations, and final-third service into the box. His ball progression and 1v1 threat are also major strengths. He ranks 1st out of 16 in Successful dribbles (3.43) and Successful dribbling in the final third (3.43) per match. That places him at the top of the group, narrowly ahead of Bob Nii Armah in successful dribbles and M. Suso in final-third dribbling. This suggests he can consistently beat opponents and progress the attack through individual actions, especially in advanced areas. For tactical usage, this makes him valuable in isolation-heavy wide roles, transitions, and structures that encourage direct dribbling to unbalance defensive blocks. Essomba also shows elite penalty-area involvement and strong overall offensive activity. He ranks 1st out of 16 in Touches in box (6.86), Offensive actions (47.86), and Successful offensive actions (33.43) per match. He is ahead of the next-best players by a clear margin in each of these metrics, with Maksim Stjopin trailing in total offensive actions and successful offensive actions. This combination points to a winger who is not just involved in build-up but frequently arrives into scoring zones and sustains repeated attacking actions. Tactically, that can be very useful in teams that want wide players to attack the box repeatedly, support overloads, and maintain high attacking pressure.

Loic Essomba’s best seasonal rankings are in Expected assists, Shot assists, Shot on target assists, Successful dribbles, Successful dribbling in the final third, Touches in box, Offensive actions, and Successful offensive actions, where he is ranked 1st out of 16 in each of the most important creative and attacking-volume indicators. This points to a winger with elite offensive involvement, strong 1v1 ability, and a clear talent for generating chances from wide areas. His main limitations are in goals, shooting efficiency, and direct scoring involvement, where he ranks lower than his creation metrics. Tactically, he can be used best as a high-involvement wide creator in a system that gives him freedom to attack the box, isolate defenders, and produce final-third actions, rather than asking him to carry the primary finishing responsibility.

Loic Essomba (RW – ’03) – Inter Turku