WATCH LIST: SIX U23 MIDFIELDERS FROM SWEDISH SECOND-TIER 

Before the season kicks off, we look at some midfielders born in 2000 or earlier who during the pre-season have shown interesting tendencies and performed well. Of course, there are more than six players who have done it, and depending on the type of profile you are looking for, it varies. But here are six players to keep an eye on in the coming season.

Manasse Kusu

Born: 2001
Club: Öster
Position: Midfielder (number 6-role)
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 79 kg 
Best foot: Right  

A clear number 6 on the field who will take the main role in many games this season. A midfielder who possesses most things you want in your lone number 6: intercepting  opponent’s play, comfortable in possession, controlling tempo of the game, good decision-making etc. This season he should be performing at a level that makes this his last season in the second-tier. 

Marcelo Palomino

Born: 2001 
Club: AFC Eskilstuna
Position: CM (offensive number 8/10)
Height: 170 cm
Weight: 68 kg 
Best foot: Right  

The central midfielder, who will have a slightly advanced role, is a new name in Sweden and will have a vital role in AFC Eskilstuna. A creative player who will act as an offensive number 8, or a number 10 and use his trickery and quick turns to loosen the knots and create chances for his team and next season.

Lucas Shlimon

Born: 2003 
Club: Örebro
Position: Midfielder (deep number 8)
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 78 kg 
Best foot: Right  

A deep-lying midfielder who has shown during pre-season he is vital in the build-up phase and confident on the ball. The young midfielder gives, despite his young age, the feeling that he has a little more time than others with the ball, and will shoulder a big responsibility in the middle where he has to keep attack and defense together. A player who doesn’t take up too much space, but makes sure to always be an option in the middle and controls the pace of the games. Tendencies early this season that makes it interesting to see at which level he can come up to this season. 

Constantino Capotondi

Born: 2000 
Club: Gefle
Position: Midfielder (offensive number 8/10)
Height: 168 cm
Weight: 70 kg 
Best foot: Right  

A player profile have been published on him here: 

The midfielder has taken the step to the second-tier after performing at a high level in the third-tier two years in a row, and during this pre-season he has shown he can perform at this level too. Would say his profile is unique with his ball-control, low center of gravity/hard-to push-off playing style. Is very good at finding the last key pass, and his numbers showed that too in the third-tier. Another quality he possesses and could be underrated is his defensive man-man actions. Good at winning the ball back or preventing the opponents from progressing it.    

Melker Widell

Born: 2002 
Club: Landskrona
Position: Midfielder (number 8)
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 70 kg 
Best foot: Right  

A progressive number 8 who recently arrived from the third-tier. Has been in and out of the starting eleven during the pre-season but is a young player who is worth following the coming years. Always tries to do something constructive with the ball and rarely leaves the field without having made a good impression . Always a breath of fresh air, whether he gets substituted into the game, or starts. A player who, with continuity, has the potential to break through in the near future.

Gustav Berggren

Born: 2000 
Club: Brage
Position: Midfielder (number 8/10) 
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 73 kg 
Best foot: Left  

There will be competition for the midfield positions in Brage where there are a lot of quality midfielders competing for a few spots. One of them is Gustav Berggren who will make it even harder to decide the starting line-up. A dynamic and creative midfielder who always tries to progress the ball either with passes or carries. Can break lines with his passing and has a fine left foot. Another player that has been in and out of the starting line-up during pre season, but always leaves a mark regardless if he gets a short period of time or not.