Leeds United youngster Kun Temenuzhkov has been included on a list for the world’s outstanding young players.
The Guardian have released their annual Next Generation stars in which they identify the best upcoming talents in world football and the Whites academy star has been listed in the top 60.
The 17-year-old only moved to Elland Road in the summer after leaving the Barcelona academy and is being tipped to have a huge future.
He is currently playing for Leeds’ Under-23s side and the centre-forward did score in a match away to Coventry back in August.
Temenuzhkov was in brilliant form for Barcelona B last season and managed to score 30 goals in as many league games for them.
The striker has decided to represent Bulgaria at intenraiotnal level, despite being eligible to play for Spain after coming through the ranks at Barcelona.
The Guardian report has compared Temenuzhkov to senior Barcelona forward Luis Suarez, who previously enjoyed a spell in English football with Liverpool.
“Growing up idolising Luis Suárez, the pint-sized prospect has shown the same predator’s instinct in the penalty area as the Uruguay striker,” the report detailed.
OPINION
Leeds fans will be overjoyed to hear that one of their academy stars is being tipped for stardom and is recognised as one of the biggest footballing prospects. The Bulgarian is still at a very early stage of his career and it’s unclear whether he will go on to fulfil his potential. However, his form at Barcelona shows his quality and that could be a brilliant mix when blended with the physicality of English football. Leeds’ senior boss Thomas Christiansen may want to take a look at some of his youth players and Temenuzhkov is the standout player to make the jump up to senior level. However, the forward will have to try compete alongside Pierre-Michel Lassoga, Caleb Ekuban and Jay-Roy Grot if he is to get a look in at Elland Road in the near future.