Thirteen Congolese talents to watch in the 2026/27 UEFA Youth League

The 2026/27 UEFA Youth League phase is under way, with 13 players of Democratic Republic of the Congo origin involved across seven European clubs. PSG have four representatives, while Lille and Arsenal have two each. Manchester United also have two, with one player at Club Bruges, one at LASK and one at Chelsea.

PSG

Axel Koukaba, born in January 2010, is only 16 but started PSG’s first four matches of the season. He was also called into Luis Enrique’s first-team squad for the opening friendly of pre-season. His immediate use as a central defender reflects both his potential and PSG’s commitment to developing young players.

Vainqueur Nzinga, born on 26 November 2007, also started the club’s first four matches. He supplied the assist for Maoula Niakate against Barcelona and has made more than 10 Youth League appearances across the past two editions. The 18-year-old defensive midfielder is already an important figure for PSG’s Espoirs team.

Kinshasa-born Hermi M’Futila, born on 1 November 2008, joined PSG from Reims in July on a two-season deal with the Espoirs. The central defender has played three Youth League matches this season, totalling 132 minutes, despite facing strong competition for places.

Right-back Emmanuel Nzala, born on 29 March 2008, moved from FC Mantois in July for one season with the Espoirs. He has played only five minutes in this season’s Youth League.

Lille and Arsenal

Lucas Muamba, who joined Lille on 1 July 2026, has made an early impression at 15. He started as the centre-forward in the 3-2 win at Arsenal and scored the opening goal in the 36th minute for the U19s against Orleans. The French-Congolese striker has started every Lille Youth League match this season, registering one assist, and has scored four goals in the league.

Ramses Imbondo, born in Laval in May 2007 and now 19, has been a professional since June 2024 and is contracted until June 2027. The French-Congolese defensive midfielder played seven Youth League matches and 563 minutes in 2024/25, as well as gaining experience with Lille’s reserve in N3. He has made one appearance in the competition this season.

At Arsenal, Jaden Maghoma, born in January 2011, has made one Youth League appearance. The 15-year-old has scored twice and provided two assists in five league appearances, while also finding the net in several youth tournaments.

Left-back Elyon Mbala has been at Arsenal’s academy since he was eight. He made his U18 debut against Southampton in January 2026 at the age of 15 and started all nine of his league appearances. The Anglo-Congolese defender is involved with both the U18s and the Gunners’ Espoirs this season, and has played two Youth League matches for 38 minutes.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Club Bruges and LASK

Bendito Mantato, of Angolan and Congolese heritage, signed his first professional contract last year and recorded 14 goals and 14 assists across the U18 and U21 teams. An ankle injury ended his 2025/26 campaign, but he returned with the U21s in late August. He has since come back strongly, providing two Youth League assists from four starts.

Godwill Kukonki has played in Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy with Manchester United’s U21s, while also appearing on the first-team bench several times, including against Leeds in January 2026. The 2023/24 England U18 champion has made one Youth League appearance this season after suffering an injury on matchday one. The 18-year-old plays in a position where left-footed players are uncommon at Manchester United.

Chelsea midfielder Jayden Malundama, who has been with the club since the U8s, became the youngest Chelsea starter in the Youth League at 15 against Benfica and later the competition’s youngest club scorer, against Ajax last season. The 17-year-old defensive midfielder has recently signed his first professional contract. He has been included in every squad this season but has not played a minute.

Belgian-Congolese forward Jeoffrey Mbambi, 15, joined Club Bruges from Antwerp. The club reached last season’s final, losing to Real Madrid on penalties. Mbambi has played one Youth League match so far, lasting 26 minutes and providing an assist.

Finally, 18-year-old central defender Manoel Verhaeghe moved from RWDM Brussels to LASK on 9 July 2026, signing a contract until 2030. He represented the Democratic Republic of the Congo U20s at the Maurice Revello Tournament and has made four Youth League appearances. Mainly involved with LASK’s Espoirs, he has also been called into the senior squad several times for league and Champions League matches.