Turkey will be hosting Belgium at the Gursel Aksel Stadium on Thursday in the UEFA Nations League. Belgium are entering this match with heavy momentum following a comprehensive 3-0 victory over the Crescent-Stars in Liege last month.
However, facing a highly hostile, passionate atmosphere on Turkish soil, both coaching staffs have fully fast-tracked their elite young players into their squads for the upcoming clash.
With both managers keen to produce a good result, these six youngsters might be key. Striver.Football profiles are the six youngsters to watch this Thursday.
Turkey's young players to watch
1. Arda Guler - Midfielder
Age: 21 years old
Verified 2026/27 Metrics: 12 La Liga apps (10 starts) | 3 Goals | 4 Assists | 33 chances created | 89% passing accuracy | 7.82 average rating
Why Watch Him: The 21-year-old Real Madrid maestro remains the absolute creative crown jewel and heartbeat of his nation's attack.
In the reverse fixture, Guler put on a playmaking clinic despite the defeat, unleashing six dangerous efforts on goal and executing three premium key chances.
Fresh off scoring a magnificent goal against Valencia over the weekend, his vision on the half-turn between defensive structures will be the primary engine deployed to crack Belgium's deep lines.
2. Deniz Gul - Striker
Age: 22 years old
Verified 2026/27 Metrics: 8 Bundesliga apps (7 starts) | 2 Goals | 1 Assist | 10 chances created | 85% passing accuracy | 582 minutes played
Why Watch Him: Standing as an imposing physical target man at 1.92 meters tall, the 22-year-old Galatasaray forward gives Turkey an entirely different physical profile up front.
Gul has experienced a rapid rise since completing his high-profile transfer from Porto, showcasing immense penalty-box gravity.
Having made a 24-minute structural cameo in Liège, expect his physical hold-up play to undergo a heavy duel against Belgium's physical center-backs as he pushes for a starting role.
3. Can Uzun - Attacking midfielder/Forward
Age: 21 years old
Verified 2026/2027 Metrics: 7 Super Lig apps | 6 total shots | 3 shots on target | 288 domestic minutes played | 6.37 average rating
Why Watch Him: The technically gifted 21-year-old versatile forward provides the hosts with immense tactical elasticity.
Uzun excels at operating as a high-pressing secondary striker or dropping deeper into central channels to link transitional play out of tight pockets.
Possessing sharp close control and instant acceleration, he stands ready as a highly explosive late option off the bench to unbalance a tired Belgian rearguard.
Belgium's young players to watch
4. Mika Godts - Left-winger
Age: 21 years old
Verified 2026/27 Metrics: 9 Ligue 1 apps (3 starts) | 2 Goals | 2 Assists | 7 chances created | 90% passing accuracy | 7.20 average rating
Why Watch Him: The 21-year-old Paris Saint-Germain sensation brings pure tactical electricity and unadulterated flair to the Belgian left flank.
Godts put on a disciplined wide display during the reverse leg in Liège, stretching the Turkish shape out wide for 75 full minutes before rotating out.
Fresh off scoring a brilliant domestic winner against Le Havre recently, his lethal 1-v-1 isolation acceleration and signature inside cutting routes will force Türkiye's fullbacks into high-friction tracking scenarios all evening.
5. Diego Moreira - Right/Left-winger
Age: 22 years old
Current Status: 8 Premier League apps (6 starts) | 1 Goal | 1 Assist | 13 successful tackles | 92% passing accuracy | 462 minutes played
Why Watch Him: The 22-year-old wide forward has taken European football by storm since completing a blockbuster transfer to AC Milan over the summer.
Moreira plays with an unbalancing fearlessness on the wing, utilizing rapid bursts of raw acceleration and intricate body feints to execute pinpoint low crosses from the touchline. Deployed regularly as a game-changing wildcard, his pace remains a terrifying counter-attacking outlet.
6. Romeo Lavia - Defensive midfielder
Age: 22 years old
Verified 2026/27 Metrics: 6 Serie A appearances | 3 Goals scored | 101 completed passes | 88% structural pass accuracy
Why Watch Him: Fully sharp and commanding high-volume minutes for Chelsea, the 22-year-old defensive midfielder provides Belgium's engine room with elite structural security. Lavia excels at collecting possession under heavy duress and using his press resistance to progress play cleanly past opposition pressure traps.
Having logged a comfortable 30-minute closure shift against Turkey last month, his tracking will be central to choking down Güler's pockets.
Key lessons for youngsters
Arda Guler’s playmaking impact demonstrates that receiving the ball on an open body angle between defensive lines is far more lethal than simply collecting possession in front of an opponent's midfield pivot.
Deniz Gul's emergence shows why young forwards must develop specialized traits, such as aerial hold-up play or penalty-box gravity, to give their teams an alternate tactical escape route when playing out from deep.
Midfield anchors like Romeo Lavia illustrate that escaping high-intensity pressing triggers through calm body orientation is the foundation for driving rapid, direct counter-attacks.
