A collection of ‘Next Big Things’ who all have a bright future ahead.
Every year as another established veteran runs down to the end of his career, you’re left wondering who’s going to replace him? Where is this new player going to come from? But before you know it there is a whole new generation of players knocking on the door and announcing themselves on the world stage.
Some of these players are bred at the best youth academies in the world, whilst others come from more humble beginnings, but the one thing they all have in common is a phenomenal footballing ability. If these players continue in the same manner they are going now then there is no doubt that they will all become household names the world over.
M’Baye Niang, 19, AC Milan
The French forward has been making a name for himself at Milan this season having linked up well with Stephan El Shawaary and Mario Balotelli. Quick and powerful, it won’t be long before his gabs his first league goal for the Italian giants after already bagging one in the Copa Italia in December.
Reported to have turned down Arsenal’s advances last summer, he joined Milan from Caen and has the potential to be one of the most devastating strikers the game has known.
Raphael Varane, 19, Real Madrid
Now in his second season with Real, he’s now beginning to establish himself as a vital part of Jose Mourinho’s plans.
Comfortable as a centre-back or in a defensive midfield role, he’s equally good in the air as he is with the ball at his feet. So far he’s made 25 appearances this term and has impressed in the Champions League. A virtual unknown when he joined from Lens in 2011, he’s now one of the hottest young stars in the world and certainly has a very bright future in the game.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 19, Arsenal
It takes a lot for a club to shell out £12 million on a player so young, but Gunners fans are already starting to see why Arsene Wenger rated him so highly.
Still a little raw at times, he’s not played as many games as he’d have liked. There’s no denying, though, that things are a bit more exciting when he’s on the pitch. Blessed with a phenomenal dribbling ability and an eye for a key pass, he’s already gained the trust of England boss Roy Hodgson and has already collected 10 caps for the national team. Likely to become one of the biggest names in world football, he has a great teacher in Wenger and will no doubt fulfil that potential if the Frenchman has his way.
Ben Davies, 19, Swansea City
Thrown in at the deep end to replace the injured Neil Taylor it’s safe to say that the teenage Welsh international has swum with confidence.
The 19 year old has started 15 of Swansea City’s 18 Premier League matches this season, more than rewarding the confidence shown in him by Liberty Stadium boss Michael Laudrup. Confident on the ball, not afraid to get forward, the Neath born full-back has a very bright future.
Mateo Kovacic, 18, Inter Milan
Outrageously skilful, the Austrian born Croatian attacking midfielder become the Champions League’s youngest ever goalscorer and was even nominated for the Golden Boy award.
Moving from Dinamo Zagreb to Inter last summer for £13 million, he’s made steady progress in Italy. Often likened to Luka Modric, his physique could ensure that he is even more successful and dangerous than his diminutive compatriot.
Julian Draxler, 19, Schalke 04
Draxler has been a regular fixture in the Schalke squad for the past two seasons now and looks set to push on and become one of the Bundesliga’s brightest stars.
Scoring and creating chances both domestically and in Europe; he’s already collected three German caps and will give Joachim Low selection headaches come next summer’s World Cup.
Raheem Sterling, 18, Liverpool
Just 15-years-old when Liverpool signed him; Sterling has settled in well to the demanding rhythms of the Premier League.
An ace up the sleeve of Brendan Rodgers, he’s made a starting spot his own this season and has already broke into the national team as Roy Hodgson switches his emphasis onto youth. A game changing turn of pace and a cheeky trick or two are just some of the things the youngster has in his locker and he is certain to be central to any of Liverpool’s future plans.
Matija Nastasic, 19, Manchester City
A seasoned veteran in comparison with the others on this list having already had a season at Teleoptik and Fiorentina before joining City for £13 million last summer.
Since arriving, he’s managed to keep the likes of Joleon Lescott and Kolo Toure out of the squad and has received high praise from all quarters for his performances. Picking up November’s ‘Player of the Month’ award, he plays with a maturity beyond his years and looks set to be a key part of City’s rebuilding process at the end of the season.
Kurt Zouma, 18, Saint Etienne
France are producing a glut of exciting young talent at the moment, set for a renaissance after several years of disappointing underachievement.
And one of those stars is Kurt Zouma. After making his debut at 16 years of age, he showed that he wasn’t overawed on the big stage and repaid the faith Saint Etienne has shown him with a number of big performances. He’s missed large parts of this season with injuries, but at 18 he still has time to heal and get back on track to becoming the next French defensive superstar.
Romelu Lukaku, 19, Chelsea (on loan at West Bromwich Albion)
Lukaku took his native Belgium by storm when he burst onto the scene with Anderlecht. His natural goalscoring ability and raw power prompted Chelsea to splash £10 million pounds on him.
However, a difficult first season in London has seen him loaned out to WBA where he has excelled under the limited pressure in the Midlands. Set for a return to the European champions next season, he’ll be expected to carry on his current form and solve the problems that could not be solved by Fernando Torres.
Timo Horn, 19, FC Koln
If there is one thing Germany is not short of; it’s talented young goalkeepers. Ter Stegen, Leno and now Horn are all future international who have ousted their elders to make the position their own.
Currently in his breakthrough season at the Second division German side, he’ll be putting pressure on his more established cohorts very soon after his dynamic athleticism and domineering command of his are a have caught the eye of a number of scouts.
Gerrard Deulofeu, 19, Barcelona
The latest in a long line of La Masia graduates, the 19-year-old is now on the precipice of breaking into the Barcelona first team after impressing greatly in the reserves.
An established under-21 Spanish international, he has made several fleeting appearances for Barcelona already, and with the likely departure of Alexis Sanchez coming in the summer he can expect the opportunities to come with greater regularity next term. A mazy dribbler, he will fit into Barca’s philosophy perfectly and has the necessary qualities to become one of the greatest players in the world.
Lucas Piazon, 19, Chelsea (on loan at Malaga)
Dubbed as the ‘new Kaka,’ Piazon isn’t your typical Brazilian forward. Tactical positioning is a big part of his game, allowing him to do the simple, yet devastating, with a technical brilliance that suggests a frightening natural ability.
Currently on loan at Malaga, he can learn a lot from the senior pros there before returning to Chelsea to steak a claim in the side and prove that he isn’t too slight for the Premier League.
Suso, 19, Liverpool
It’s been a mixed season for Suso. He broke into the first team, and initially impressed. Then he was taken out and criticised for his inability to deal with the rigours of weekly football at the top level.
Though he does have a tendency to drift in and out of games, that can be ironed out with experience and his displays so far have suggested that there is enough about him to succeed at Liverpool.
Max Meyer, 17, Schalke 04
Another young talent coming out of Schalke is Max Meyer. Following on from the departure of Lewis Holtby to Spurs and several injuries to the club’s key players the 17-year-old has found himself fast tracked into the first team.
Coming up with an assist on his debut, his game is solely focussed around creating space and chances for his teammates. An under-21 call up is expected soon as he has already represented Germany at several levels.
Adam Maher, 19, AZ Alkmaar
Now in his second full season at AZ, he’s become not only an established member of the squad, but an important one at that.
However, the Dutch side will face a struggle to keep hold of him for very long with Barcelona and Arsenal both keen on taking him off their hands. He was included in Holland’s provisional squad for the European Championships last summer and was voted as Holland’s young player of the year for 2012.
Souleymane Coulibaly, 18, Tottenham Hotspur (on loan at Grosseto)
Spurs acted quickly to bring the striker to White Heart Lane from Sienna after witnessing him bag nine goals in four games at the Under-17 World Cup in 2011. six of those goals were hat tricks, with one coming against a talented Brazil.
Yet to make his Spurs debut, he’s been loaned back to Italy with Serie B side, Grosseto. Powerful, quick, and a lethal finisher, it’s thought to be some time before he gets his chance at Spurs, but if he impresses in Italy he could use Emmanuel Adebayor’s impending departure to his advantage to stake a claim of his own.
Ross Barkley, 19, Everton
Though he’s not progressed as quickly as he’d have liked, but ask anyone connected with the club and they’ll tell you that Barkley could very well be one of the best player’s this country has ever produced. Rumour has it that Tim Cahill told David Moyes that Barkley was a ready made replacement for him as he left for the New York Red Bulls last summer.
He’s had successful spells on loan with Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United, and has shown no signs of hindrance from the broken leg he suffered in 2010. Now getting more chances in and around the first team, he’ll be expected to push on next season and become a key player in David Moyes’ plans.
Viktor Fischer, 18, Ajax
Alongside fellow compatriot, Christian Eriksen, the Danish duo have got the Ajax faithful buzzing again by proving that the old production line is still in full working order.
Currently in his breakthrough season in Amsterdam, the young striker has already notched eight goals in 27 appearances as well as making his debut in the Champions League and gaining his first full international cap. He instantly adorned himself to fans by bagging a brace against rivals Feyenoord before making a general mockery of their defence in a man of the match display.
Jetro Willems, 18, PSV Eindhoven
The teenage left-back was one of the few bright spots in Holland’s disastrous Euro 2012 campaign and the 18 year old has continued to impress in the PSV Eindhoven first team this season.
The 18 year old has grown under the guidance of Dick Advocaat and has a very bright future, with a number of Premier League sides said to be keen on the teenager.