Albert SAMBI LOKONGA

(Arsenal)

Sambi Lokonga is yet to earn his first Belgium cap, yet was close to a place in their Euro 2020 squad in place of Axel Witsel. Ultimately, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder was fit enough to travel and Lokonga had to settle for a place on the standby list, but a full call-up is likely to come soon enough.

In spite of his tender years (he turns 22 in October), he was named Anderlecht’s club captain at the start of last season, and started 33 games as a key cog at the base of midfield. Capable of playing as a defensive holder or in a box-to-box role with a good passing range, he has been heartily recommended by both Anderlecht’s sporting director Peter Verbeke and manager Vincent Kompany.

Interestingly, his older brother Paul-Jose M’Poku spent some time at North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.