A huge number of young Ukrainian footballers are currently in Europe. Each year, their numbers will only increase. Children who found themselves abroad at a very young age will soon become recognizable in football. In other words, while we are familiar with the 19−20-year-olds (Krevsun, Krapivtsov, Tutyrov, Baumann, Budko, etc.), new names will emerge every year.
Maksym BondaryukThere is no need to look at the names of clubs. Players are nurturing small teams. A child playing in a little-known club often has more chances for professional football than a representative of “Real,” “Barcelona,” or PSG. Big clubs buy already ready players.
The first hero will be 16-year-old Maksym Bondaryuk. He is a native of Chernivtsi. He took his first steps in the local Bukovyna. Then he moved to UFK “Karpaty.” After the war began, he ended up in Italy with his mother.
In the city of Arona, local scouts noticed the talented Ukrainian footballer. Therefore, he quickly began playing for the regional team, Academy Bordomanegro. Maksym spent two seasons at the club, playing for the teams of older age categories and rewarded the club with 42 goals and 38 assists in 68 matches.
With his gameplay and performance, the Ukrainian talent immediately attracted the attention of several Serie A giants — “Inter,” “Juventus,” “Torino,” and “Cremonese.”
There’s little sense in moving to prestigious clubs at a young age. Every year, the primavera of Italian teams invites players from different corners of Europe. A more modest team is needed, where there will be stable playing practice. The choice fell on “Novara,” which competes in Serie C and is affiliated with “Juventus,” which consequently has the first right to buy all rights to the Ukrainian talent.
In his first season at “Novara,” the 16-year-old midfielder became a key player, one of the team’s leaders — 26 matches, 1971 minutes on the pitch, 3 goals, and 5 assists for the season. A great record for a Ukrainian legionnaire.
In Italy, Bondaryuk is compared to the current captain of Manchester United and the Portuguese national team player Bruno Fernandes, who played for “Novara” in the 2012/13 season. This was a significant push for the Portuguese, leading to periods at “Udinese,” “Sampdoria,” and later his return to Portugal and a move to “Sporting” for nearly 10 million euros.
Bondaryuk, like Fernandes, plays in midfield. He can play as an inside forward or attacking midfielder. When needed, he is able to cover the holding midfielder position. He has good physical attributes, plays with both feet, is quick, and technical. He can independently resolve the outcome of an individual episode. In Italy, they are very good at developing midfielders. During his time on the Apennines, Maksym has grown significantly in tactical terms. Therefore, we can expect his move to a serious club in Italy soon.
Bondaryuk is one of the candidates for the Ukrainian national team born in 2009, which will start its qualification for the U-17 Euro in the fall.
Sergii TYSCHENKO
