World Cup 2026: ‘Mazadona’, ‘Einstein’ and ‘The Ant’ – 20 new players to watch

Steve Bower: Switzerland have a record of getting to finals and giving young players the stage to make a name for themselves – at past tournaments it was Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye. Now it could be Manzambi’s turn.

Some people will have seen him play a big part in the Freiburg side that went all the way to the Europa League final.

Manzambi can play in various positions in midfield and is pretty good in the final third too. He carries the ball really well and I know the Swiss fans have got big hopes for him – Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has done an interview praising him as well.

Vicki Sparks: The youngest player in Switzerland’s squad, Manzambi has impressed for Freiburg this season. In the words of Swiss coach Murat Yakin, “he has this incredible hunger to score goals that I have rarely seen”.

Steve Wilson: Manzambi was named Uefa’s Europa League revelation of the season as his club side reached the first European final in their history.

His seven goals from midfield last season included a wonder-strike against Braga in the semi-final which put Freiburg in front for the first time in the tie. His 33 attempts at goal across the whole European campaign were 11 more than any of his team-mates managed.

Geneva born and bred, Manzambi has been used in central midfield or as a number 10 and sometimes as a right-sided forward by Yakin, for whom Manzambi scored his first international goal in a 4-0 win over the United States in Nashville last summer.

Ian Dennis: It’s only a matter of time before Manzambi’s head is turned by a bigger club in Germany or one from the Premier League.

He caught my eye in Istanbul when I thought he was Freiburg’s best player in their Europa Final League defeat by Aston Villa.

He can operate in an attacking midfield role or play deeper. He made his senior Swiss debut last June and has featured in all of their 11 internationals since. Definitely one to watch.