Sometimes it can be difficult to be noticed by the proper scouts while playing in Europe. For a young player with options at the international level, getting the attention of the right people can make all the difference. 

In the case of Emile Van Gheem, it has been about notifying interested parties that he could be on the radar for the U.S. or Belgium in the future. Young Van Gheem, born in 2003, is just at the start of his playing career, but he has already shown qualities that could parlay into a look from a national team in the future. 

Currently, Emile Van Gheem plays for K. Lierse S.C., a team in the Belgian Second Divison. Despite the fact that the first team was relegated to the second division of Belgium’s professional league, the youth team is still playing in elite in the youth league. Van Gheem is playing up an age group with the club’s U14 side. 

His mother, Rachel Alexander, says that her son currently fills in at a number of positions for his team. “Emile plays as the No. 6, No. 8, and No. 2,” Alexander told TopDrawerSoccer. 

Prior to joining Lierese, he played for Berchem Sport, which is part of the Inter-provincial level of the Belgium flights. 

Van Gheem was born and raised in Belgium, and his mom says that he is planning to be there for the foreseeable future. “Although he thinks of playing for D.C. United when he is 18 years old,” Alexander added.

Alexander is a U.S. citizen, which offers the opportunity to Emile Van Gheem to play for the U.S. at the international level. 

For now, Emile is focused on his club and continuing to progress as a player under the guidance of his club coaches as he deals with the challenges of being one of the youngest players on his team. 

Akale Stands Tall

Mukwelle Akale continues to impress at the club with Villarreal CF. The talented attacker had an assist over the weekend in Villarreal Juvenil A’s 2-0 win over Levante. He was constantly involved in the attack for Villarreal and nearly set up a couple of other opportunities for his side in the second half. 

Akale is one of five players back on the Juvenil A side from the team that won it last year, so the expectation is he will feature heavily this season for Villlarreal. 

Outside of league play, Villarreal plays Servette on Wednesday in the UEFA Youth League. 

Scott Saving Points

U.S. Youth National Team midfielder Kyle Scott scored a goal on Tuesday in Chelsea’s 3-3 draw against Porto in UEFA Youth League action. Scott tallied the third goal of the game, which gave the London side a 3-0 lead in the first half. Porto managed to storm back and claim a 3-3 draw from the game. 

Chelsea’s next game is Oct. 20 against Dynamo Kyiv, which is also top of Group G with four points. 

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