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The World Cup is traditionally a breakthrough event for many young players. With kick-off time getting closer and closer, The Cult of Calcio’s next trip is across the Top 10 most talented young players to keep an eye for in Russia – in order of their expected appearance in the competition…
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Every young and talented striker who plays for Ajax needs to face it sooner or later: Being compared to Marco Van Basten. Danish Kasper Dolberg is no exception, especially because The Lancers’ young prospect does indeed look very similar to the unforgettable forward of Milan and the Dutch National Team.
Last summer, Dolberg was on eveyone’s lips. Ajax had just made it to the Europa League Final, which they lost to Manchester United, and he had contributed to the exploit scoring 23 goals in 46 season appearances along the path. And he wasn’t even 20 years old…
Kasper was born on October 6, 1997, in Silkeborg, Denmark. His name has been circulating on the wishlist of many Italian clubs, including Napoli and Milan. Rossoneri’s Director of Football Massimiliano Mirabelli has been monitoring him since last year. Still, his performance declined this season, also due to multiple injuries that allowed him to score only 8 goals in 25 caps. Despite such limitations, Dolberg still made it to the Denmark list for the World Cup in Russia.
Denmark were seeded in Group C, together with France, Peru, and Australia. Assuming that Les Coqs make it to the next round, the battle for the second spot will be a close one. Dolberg will not be the first choice for the Danes’ attacking line, Feyenoord’s striker Nicolaj Jorgensen being ahead of him. But the World Cup will still constitute an outstanding opportunity for a player like him – somebody who scores, and make others score. Somebody who can make people talk about him.
Ajax will expectedly continue to bet on him – as usual, The Lancers are an ideal club to grow without facing too much pressure. But with Europe already knowing him very well, the rest of the world could also soon discover who Kasper Dolberg is. In a Danish side which have been looking for a new miracle since the days of Euro 1992, Russia could be the right place for them to write history again.
After all, how could you not believe in fairy tales in the land of Lev Tolstoj? So here’s another one for you: The tale of Kasper Dolberg, the ugly duckling who wants to become a swan. Just like Marco Van Basten.
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Translated by Matteo Carnevale
Click here to discover more young players to keep an eye for in Russia:
Aleksandr Golovin, the Young Tsar Who Makes Russia Hope
Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Can He Be Schiaffino and Francescoli’s Heir?
Goncalo Guedes, a Little Ronaldo Ready to Grow