Lukman Haruna

Lukman Haruna     21     Midfielder     Dynamo Kyiv

Like Manuel Lanzini at River Plate, Haruna was faced with trying to make an impression in a side doomed for relegation at Monaco. While he did enough to earn a move to Kyiv in the close season, doubts remain about whether he is really any different to the many powerful, deeper lying playmakers emerging around Europe.

Having captained Nigeria at the Under 17 World Cup in 2007, and taken them all the way to winning the competition, there was huge interest in his signature at the time and a move to Monaco was seen as quite a coup for the club. Over two seasons he’s never really hit the heights promised by his exploits at youth level and Haruna is at a key stage in his development.

Capped by Nigeria, Haruna's career stuttered when he picked up an injury on international duty that has stymied his time with Kyiv so far.  When back to his best he should prove to be a good box to box midfielder who’ll chip in with the odd goal and the odd assist. More than that? Probably not.

“Never really played at his best, it was tough for everyone at Monaco last season. Operates as a deep playmaker, likes a tackle. Very hot-headed, not sure a move to Kyiv was the best decision” – Andrew Gibney (French Football Weekly)

“The kind of athletic, tough-tackling midfield lynchpin that seems to be in fashion across Europe these days.  After an injury suffered during Nigeria's abortive World Cup campaign ruled him out for five months, and a trying 2011 in which he suffered relegation with Monaco, Haruna has yet to find his feet” – James Appell (ITV Sport)

D     A long way to go to show you're different.  Will it happen in Kyiv?  Unlikely.