Former players from Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid are among the obscure footballers that we can’t believe are participating in this season’s Conference League.
The 2025-26 Conference League appears highly unpredictable, featuring a diverse range of teams that would appeal to a hipster’s taste in competitions. You might be astonished by the names appearing in their lineups.
We have compiled a list of Conference League’s overlooked talents who continue to play throughout the continent.
Edin Dzeko (Fiorentina)
The player who scored the second most significant goal in Manchester City’s history, Dzeko has been part of several top European clubs since then – although he never achieved the same level of success he had at the Etihad.
Following his time at City, he moved to Roma, where he remained for six years before joining Inter Milan in 2021.
With Simone Inzaghi at the helm, Inter narrowly missed the championship, finishing two points behind AC Milan but securing the Coppa Italia victory.
Dzeko left Italy in 2023, spending two years at Fenerbahce, before returning to the Peninsula with Fiorentina. He is 40 in March and still going strong.
Tariq Lamptey (Fiorentina)
Lamptey made a strong entrance with Brighton a few years ago, and there were discussions about an England selection before an injury unfortunately ended his Premier League career, leading him to switch his international allegiance to Ghana.
The dynamic youngster spent 11 years in the Chelsea youth system, but made just three first-team appearances for the club before being tossed away like so many other Cobham graduates.
Lampety joined Fiorentina for €6 million in September 2025, but suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury weeks after his arrival. He is not expected to play again until next spring.
Luka Jovic (AEK Athens)
Not a former Premier League player, but we’ve included Jovic because his frequent links with a move to England make it feel like he is.
Once signed by Real Madrid for €60million, Jovic found himself on the free agents pile this summer.
It’s reasonable to assume that he didn’t justify the high cost of his move to Madrid, as he managed to score just three goals during his three-year stay in Spain.
Jovic represented AC Milan, netting 13 goals in 47 matches, although the Serie A club decided not to renew his contract.
The Serbian national currently represents AEK Athens and has found the net twice in 10 matches with his new team.
Stevan Jovetic (Omonia)
But for the persistent injuries that affected his career, who understands just how great Jovetic could have turned out to be?
Although he faced numerous challenges during his professional journey, he has still managed to play for some of the most prominent clubs in Europe, including spells at Inter Milan and Manchester City.
Having become a free agent last summer, he ultimately chose to sign with Omonia for a two-year contract.
Jovetic is demonstrating his talent this season, netting five goals in six matches in the Conference League.
Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar)
Although highly praised by Tottenham supporters and managers, Parrott never managed to secure a spot in the main squad and faced multiple difficult loan periods throughout the EFL.
However, his last loan period, in the Eredivisie with Excelsior Rotterdam, turned out to be a turning point for the forward; although the team was relegated, Parrott netted 17 goals and secured a permanent transfer to AZ Alkmaar.
The Irish Republic player has not looked back since. Parrott has netted 31 goals for the team, including seven in this season’s Conference League.
Ben Chilwell (Strasbourg)
Chelsea supporters and their owners strongly object to the claim that Strasbourg has turned into a place for their unused and unprepared players.
This argument collapses once you consider that Chilwell moved to France during the summer, following several transfer windows in which Chelsea could not locate another buyer.
Despite a recent illness causing him to miss a few matches, the former England international has left a favorable impression as his team has taken Ligue 1 by storm.
Liam Rosenior’s team is in third place, following PSG and Marseille, with Chilwell featuring frequently.
Andriy Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kyiv)
Unjustly labeled as a ‘karaoke Arjen Robben’, Yarmolenko accomplished more than many anticipated at West Ham, especially given that he struggled at Borussia Dortmund.
A last-minute victory over Chelsea, a heartfelt goal against Villa just weeks after the Ukraine invasion, and the decisive strike against Sevilla were sufficient to grant him legendary status in east London.
He has returned to his home country, Ukraine, and is currently playing for Dynamo Kyiv, a team that fell to Crystal Palace in their Conference League first match.
Florian Lejeune (Rayo Vallecano)
Lejune was beloved by Newcastle supporters during his four years in Tyneside.
A skilled defender, Lejeune has mainly played in La Liga and is currently positioned at the center of Rayo Vallecano’s defensive line.
Having spent years behind Madrid’s two major teams, Vallecano secured their first European qualification last season and have remained undefeated in the Conference League thus far.
Vladimir Weiss (Slovan Bratislava)
Renowned for his pace and deception while playing on the flank, Weiss was anticipated to move up from Manchester City’s youth system into the senior squad.
However, the Slovakian international made just one appearance for City, opting instead to go on loan to Bolton, Rangers, and Espanyol before finally departing in 2012.
He appeared 77 times for Slovakia, but Weiss’ club career did not progress as anticipated. He has returned to his native country with Slovan Bratislava.
TRY A QUIZ: Can you list all English teams that have participated in European football?
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