As the new Bundesliga season approaches, bundesliga.com highlights promising young talents expected to make a significant impact. Keep an eye on Tom Bischof and Lennart Karl at Bayern Munich, and Turkish national team player Can Uzun, who is poised for further development at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Tom Bischof (19) – Bayern Munich
Widely seen as a future star for both Bayern and Germany, Bischof is a remarkably adaptable midfielder. Hailing from Bavaria, his game is admired by football purists for his exceptional ball control, precise passing that unlocks defenses, and outstanding ability to regain possession.
When a match is in full flow, you can expect Bischof to be dictating play, linking defense to attack, keeping his teammates alert, and consistently creating scoring opportunities.
As Hoffenheim`s youngest-ever Bundesliga debutant at just 16, it was hardly a shock when Bayern announced in January 2025 they had secured a deal for Bischof at the season`s end. The reigning champions then accelerated his transfer to include him in the FIFA Club World Cup squad.
Image: Tom Bischof
Before the tournament, the former Fritz Walter Gold Medal winner and Germany youth international earned his first senior cap under Julian Nagelsmann against France. With everything aligning perfectly for Bischof, the 2025/26 season is anticipated to be a breakthrough year.
Can Uzun (19) – Eintracht Frankfurt
Turkish international Uzun is clearly in a hurry to succeed, and it shows. His impressive talent is matched by a self-assurance rare for his age. At 18, the Regensburg native was already Nuremberg`s key player in Bundesliga 2 before his move to Eintracht.
Fans at the Max-Morlock-Stadion were captivated by Uzun`s attacking prowess, which saw him contribute 16 goals and two assists in the 2023/24 season. Since joining “Der Club” in 2019, Uzun consistently impressed youth coaches, including a standout season where the 6`1″ forward netted 22 times in 19 U17 appearances.
Stepping up to a competitive Frankfurt side didn`t faze Uzun, who quickly earned the respect of coach Dino Toppmöller and the Eagles` fanbase.
While some expected limited playing time for Eintracht`s young recruit, Uzun featured in 31 matches across all competitions last season, contributing five goal involvements (four goals, one assist) in his debut Bundesliga campaign.
Image: Can Uzun
“I see myself as an instinctive footballer; I do whatever comes into my head on the pitch,” he once stated, while dismissing comparisons to other young Bundesliga stars. “I don`t want to be the next [Jamal] Musiala; I want to be the first Can Uzun,” the Frankfurt talent asserted.
Antonio Nusa (20) – RB Leipzig
Dubbed the “Norwegian Neymar,” Nusa arrived at Leipzig poised for an explosive first season, ready to contribute to their Bundesliga title aspirations and make an impact in the Champions League.
Unfortunately, the season didn`t unfold as planned for the player who had won two Belgian Pro League titles with Club Brugge. A knee injury restricted Nusa to just 16 Bundesliga starts last term, and Leipzig`s inconsistent form made it challenging for the winger to fully integrate.
Antonio Nusa is ready to deliver in a fresh Leipzig start.
However, his promising start will inspire confidence. A goal on his DFB Cup debut was followed by a match-winning goal against Bochum in his Bundesliga debut the following week. By Matchday 2, he had also registered an assist, helping Leipzig become one of the few teams to achieve a perfect start to the top-flight season.
Still the fourth-youngest player ever to score in the Champions League, the attacker born in Langhus is now fully fit and eager for the upcoming season under a new coach. “I like to create chaos,” he once commented, a clear warning to Bundesliga defenders.
Johan Manzambi (19) – Freiburg
Things are looking bright for Geneva-born Manzambi. His recent impressive progress includes a senior debut for Switzerland and scoring against the United States on his first international start. The exceptional midfielder has carried his strong form from the latter half of last season with Freiburg into the new campaign.
Manzambi was promoted from Freiburg`s youth ranks to Julian Schuster`s senior squad at the beginning of last season. However, until the start of 2025, the former Servette player saw minimal action. This changed when Freiburg`s number 44 began earning minutes against Bayern, increasing his participation as his team pushed for a top-four finish.
Freiburg`s Johan Manzambi is now a senior, goalscoring Swiss international.
Manzambi scored a crucial last-minute winner in the race for European spots against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 29. Several weeks later, his goal in the comeback victory against Holstein Kiel helped Freiburg secure a place in the UEFA Europa League.
“I have a lot of self-confidence and feel ready,” he stated before his Switzerland debut in June. “I`m versatile, and that`s one of my strengths.”
Lennart Karl (19) – Bayern Munich
When it comes to exciting potential, few players rival Bayern`s Karl. Although he might dislike comparisons to former club legend Arjen Robben, fans can`t help but make them. A senior debut seemed inevitable from the moment the 5`6″ talent joined the Bundesliga giants at age 14.
Karl rapidly ascended through the youth ranks and was soon included on the bench for Vincent Kompany`s senior team in 2024/25. His ability to provide back-up for the first team while scoring a stunning combined 34 goals and providing 11 assists for the club`s U17s and U19s last season demonstrates his drive and energy.
Lennart Karl rose to the occasion with Bayern at the Club World Cup.
His impressive performances were rewarded at the Club World Cup, where Karl made his senior debut in Bayern`s emphatic 10-0 group-stage win against Auckland City. “I`m very quick over the first few metres, like to go one-on-one and have a good finish,” he explained to Bayern`s official website.
“I`m not the tallest, but my low centre of gravity helps me impose myself, especially when dribbling.” More game time in the upcoming season is highly probable for this rising star, who is expected to be a bright light in football in the years to come.
