Young Talent

I shall attempt to make a list of the young players around the world who I think are going to be stars in the not-so-distant future. Please note I refuse list obvious names like Sergio Aguero, Alexandre Pato who are already established first team players at big clubs.Also, this is not any kind of ranking but merely a LIST.

 

1.     1.  Lulinha (Corinthians) – The first name that comes to mind. Described by FIFA.com themselves as the next Ronaldinho. Equally adept at playing as an attacking midfielder and a second striker. Scored a hatful of goals at the FIFA Junior tournaments he’s been part of and the Corinthians President  who’s obviously eager to make money off this prodigy has set a $35 million price tag on him. A bit too steep, perhaps?

 

2.      2. Kerlon (Chievo Verona) – Was being touted as the next big thing in Brazilian Football till a couple of seasons ago. Has prodigious dribbling ability but lacks the strength on the ball exhibited by big boys Ronaldinho and Kaka. Famous for his seal dribble where he dribbles the ball on his head and makes it impossible for an opponent to legally tackle him. A handy free kick taker too. Has been injured most of this season for Chievo but I still see him picking up and hassling defenders in the future.

 

3.      3. Robert Lewandowski (Lech Poznan) – Easily one of the best players in Poland right now. Plays as a roving striker for his club side to astounding success. Has top scored in the last 3 seasons he has played and after joining Lech in the top flight this season, has continued his rich supply of goals. The hype is growing.

 

4.      4.  Steven Defour (Standard Ligue) – At 20 years old, is already captain of his club side and easily their best player. His vision and little shimmies on the ball combined with slick passing makes him an asset to any time. He is already being chased by Villa, Arsenal and a handful of other clubs around Europe for next season.

 

5.     5.  Johnny Evans (Manchester United) – Of course. This youngster has been handpicked and groomed by Sir Alex as the ideal cover and eventual replacement for his two senior centre backs, the excellent Rio Ferdinand and Nenanja Vidic. Has featured regularly and by and large impressed this season in his senior’s absence.

 

6.     6.  Jose Baxter (Everton) – Probably the best talent in England right now. Word from the Toffee’s coaching is that he’s a more complete player than Wayne Rooney was at his tender age of 16. Blessed with awesome pace and astounding shot power.

 

7.     7.  Jack Rodwell (Everton) – Another youngster from the Toffee’s stable who has all the makings. He is a very tidy central midfielder whose strengths lie in the defensive side of the game and he has already made a handful of first team appearances this season.

 

8.     8.  Dan Gosling (Everton) – Completes the trio of Everton’s young gems. Is highly rated throughout the blue half of Merseyside and is being groomed carefully to fit into the soon-to-be-vacant shoes of Tony Hibbert. Pretty solid at right back.

 

9.     9.  Fabian Delph (Leeds United) – Another right back on the wishlist of many premier league clubs. Displays good pace, ball control and positional awareness whenever he takes the field for Leeds.

 

10. 10.  Jack Collison (West Ham) – Has fitted nicely into the role assigned to him and at 20, has become a regular in the Hammer’s first team. Slots into central midfield nicely with Parker and Mark Noble, and has definitely looked the part this season.

 

11. 11.  Diego Buonanotte (River Plate) – Is one of those slightly built classic playmakers who we all love but often get manhandled by opposing defences. Buonanotte has emerged victorious with all his craft and spark more often than not and will definitely play for Argentina. There are already rumours of interest from the Bernabeau.

 

12. 12.  Fabio da Silva (Manchester United) – While we have already seen and been wowed by his twin brother Rafael this season, Fabio has been out of action due to an injury picked up in his maiden appearance in the FA Cup. This one is sure to be part of United’s future plans and to my mind is better of the two brothers, although similar in style to Rafael.

 

13. 13.  Eden Hazard (LOSC Lille) – Attacking midfielder with a bright future. Is already on many summer shopping lists for his latent value as a game breaker. His weakness, if anything, is his tendency to rush his shots. Good talent who needs a little training in patience.

 

14. 14.  Miroslav Stoch (Chelsea) – A Chelsea reserve team regular who broke into the first team this season and has been on the fringes of the starting 11 ever since. A highly skilled player with amazing dribbling ability. Idolises Brazilian superstars Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, and just might take up their mantle in the not-so-distant future.  

15. 15.  Henri Saivet (Bordeaux) – Has turned in a series of eye-catching performances for France’s U-19s this season and shows good ability in advanced attacking positions as well as on the wings.

 

Feel free to name other players who you feel belong up here.