Every season, the newspaper Het Nieuwsblad makes a top 50 of the most promising football talents in our country. Het Nieuwsblad consulted 20 national and international scouts to come up with a final list of 50 talents born between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2009. With 8 players, we are the main supplier in the list. This puts us ahead of clubs such as Anderlecht and Club Brugge. Another 13 players in the list have a history at the Jos Vaessen Talent Academy.
48. In 48th place is Noah Adedeji-Sternberg. The young left winger made the move from Borussia Mönchengladbach's youth team last season and accounted for 5 goals and 3 assists with Jong Genk this season. With the first team, he made his debut in the home game against RWDM. Since January, he has been a permanent member of the A-core. With his flair, he is reminiscent of Mike Trésor.
46. Saidou Toure takes post at spot 46. The young wing striker combines good feet with speed. Played for the Genk U18 this season and has already had a taste of professional football. He made his professional debut against Beerschot.
34. Josue Kongolo was a regular at centre-back for Jong Genk last season. Already impressed in the season kick-off against Burnley. Josue made his successful debut for the first team on the final day of the Champions' Play-offs at Union.
33. Jelle Driessen is an attacking midfielder who can be decisive with both his left and right. At 15 years old, he is still bitterly young. Will join the U18 next season.
30. Lucca Kiaba is one of the two goalkeepers in the talent top 50. They both represent the Genk goalkeeper training academy. Lucca has tremendous presence and possesses natural leadership qualities.
29. One place higher is Brad Manguelle. Manguelle made his debut at Jong Genk last season as the youngest player ever in professional football. Was a regular in the Challenger Pro League, but struggled with some injuries. Brad can count on a lot of confidence from the club's sporting management. He saw that translated into a contract extension for three seasons.
18. Maarten Vandevoordt captures post at the 18th spot. The undisputed number 1 under the Genk crossbar. Along with Kiaba, the only goalkeeper in the list. Despite his age (22), Maarten already has more than 170 games on the counter in Genk payroll. Is still the youngest ever goalkeeper in the Champions League. Next season, he will move to Redbull Leipzig in Germany.
3. At number 3 stands Konstantinos Karetsas. Kos is the highest-ranked player from the domestic league and is attributed a great future by observers. Earlier this season at Jong Genk, he became the youngest ever goal scorer in Belgian professional football. In the play-off match against Antwerp, he made his debut with the first team and crowned himself the youngest assistant scorer in the Jupiler Pro League since data company Opta stats made the observations. Next season, he will be a permanent part of the A-core.
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