A comprehensive list of the 50 best players under the age of 22 in world football at the moment.
50. Gerard Deufoleu (Barcelona)
The latest exciting talent to be coming through Barcelona’s La Masia production line, Gerard Deufoleu has been a prolific goal scorer at youth level, excelling in Barca’s B team for the last three seasons, as well as for Spain at Under-16 through to Under-21 level, earning himself the accolade of UEFA Under-19 Golden Player in 2012. Still only 19, he has made six appearances for the senior Barcelona team as they ease in another potential hero at the Nou Camp.
49. Will Hughes (Derby County)
The 18-year-old midfielder is really starting to make a name for himself in the Championship with Derby County, establishing himself as a key part of the first team in the 2012/13 season, making 35 appearances. Described as a skillful midfield playmaker, he has been eyed by by big clubs such as Barcelona, and compared with legendary midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Also watched by Arsenal, the England Under-21 international has a big future in the game and will surely not be at Derby for much longer.
48. Joel Campbell (Arsenal)
Many at Arsenal are excited at the prospect of Costa Rica youngster Joel Campbell returning to the club once he is finally granted a work permit to play in England. The 20-year-old has found himself out on loan, impressing both in Ligue 1 with Lorient and in La Liga with Real Betis. The forward has a powerful left foot, and has already made waves on the international scene, scoring 7 goals in 22 appearances for the senior Costa Rica international side.
47. Daniel Carvajal (Bayer Leverkusen)
The young right-back was initially a product of Real Madrid’s youth system, before being snapped up by Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen at the start of the season. At £4million he looks a real bargain after proving a revelation for the German side in his first year there. Strong in the tackle, and getting forward to good effect with 1 goal and 7 assists, he is undoubtedly one to look out for in the next few years. Real Madrid know it too, and have made sure to put a buy-back clause in the 21-year-old’s contract in case they decide to bring him back to the Bernebeu.
46. Tom Ince (Blackpool)
Another exciting young talent developing in the second tier of English football, the former Liverpool youngster may yet earn himself a return to Anfield on the back of a great season in the Championship with Blackpool. The 21-year-old has 18 goals this season from the wings, and gets fans of their seats with his pace and trickery. Tottenham are also looking at the winger, who is the son of Blackpool manager and former England captain Paul Ince.
45. Adem Ljajic (Fiorentina)
The young Serbian has earned rave reviews in Serie A this season, with 8 goals and 8 assists. The 21-year-old attacker can play in a variety of forward positions, usually either wide on the left or behind the striker. He is an all-round technical talent with an eye for a pass and long range shot. However, he is not without controversy, as he found himself in trouble with the Serbia national team after choosing not to sing along to the country’s national anthem.
44. Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan)
The 20-year-old AC Milan defender has enjoyed his breakthrough season this year, and is already a full international for the Italian national team. The right-back has been described by his coaches as “a fast runner, with good technique” and “a versatile footballer”, and looks set to be a mainstay in the Milan back line for many years to come.
43. Jack Butland (Stoke City)
The young England goalkeeper really caught the eye at last summer’s Olympic Games for Team GB, and was snapped up by Premier League side Stoke City in the January transfer window. Immediately loaned back to Birmingham City, Butland will be looking to make a name for himself in the top flight next season, and could already challenge Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart for the number one spot in the England team.
42. Oliver Torres (Atletico Madrid)
The latest in the line of talented midfield playmakers coming through in Spain, the 18-year-old Atletico Madrid youngster is already being eyed up by Manchester City and talked up as the next big thing – and he’s not even a regular in the Atletico team yet. Definitely one to look out for in the next few years.
41. Lucas Digne (Lille)
The 19-year-old left-back has been a Lille regular for the last two seasons now, and could leave the club this summer for around £8million after catching the attention of Liverpool. The Frenchman is strong in the air and has shown great maturity in defence considering his age.
40. Jonjo Shelvey (Liverpool)
The 21-year-old midfielder may divide critics at Anfield, but it’s easy to forget how far he’s come for a player his age. With good technique and an eye for goal, the former Charlton man looks like a real prospect for the Reds over the next few years. He has five goals for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season despite limited appearances, and is already a full England international. He could arguably benefit from having a stronger team around him, and should develop further if Liverpool can become a Premier League force again.
39. Luke Shaw (Southampton)
The Southampton youngster has had a brilliant breakthrough season for the Saints, becoming their first choice left-back in the Premier League at only 17 years of age, and showing a great deal of potential. Coming from a youth system that produced the likes of Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale, Shaw looks to have all the ingredients to become another Premier League star, and has attracted a lot of interest already from big clubs such as Chelsea and Arsenal. It would certainly be exciting to see the skillful full-back at a bigger club soon.
38. Serge Gnabry (Arsenal)
Little has been seen yet of the 17-year-old German winger, but he has caused a lot of excitement at youth level for the club since signing from Stuttgart in 2011. In limited first team appearances he looks like a confident player who likes to run at defenders and take shots, and he has shown this form in a stand-out campaign in both the Next Gen series and FA Youth Cup. With Arsenal’s fondness for nurturing young talent, he looks to be in the right place for his development and should appear more for the Gunners in the next few years.
37. Marquinhos (Roma)
One of the best defenders in Serie A this season, despite being in only his first season at Roma since joining from Brazilian side Corinthians. The 18-year-old looks a solid, tall and strong centre-back and has kept his experienced team-mate Nicolas Burdisso on the bench at the Stadio Olimpico for almost the whole season.
36. Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea)
Another young talent for England to be excited about, the 18-year-old Chelsea man has caught the eye this season on loan at Championship side Watford, aiding their push for promotion to the Premier League. They hope to keep him permanently, but may face competition from big names such as Arsenal for his signature. Chelsea are also keen to tie him down to a new deal after many clubs have shown an interest in him. A strong and physical player, he can play in both defence and a defensive midfield role and is a regular for the England Under-21 side.
35. Florian Thauvin (Lille)
The Lille youngster has put himself on the radar of Premier League clubs Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle with his displays on loan at Bastia this season. The 20-year-old has scored 10 goals from midfield in Ligue 1 this year and Lille will struggle to hold on to the France Under-20 international.
34. Son Heung-Min (Hamburg)
The 20-year-old forward has alerted Arsenal and Tottenham with his performances for Hamburg this season. The versatile attacker can play in a number of positions upfront, and is a hard-worker tracking back as well, earning him a reputation as one of the best young players in the Bundesliga – certainly no mean feat. He already has 13 caps for the South Korea national team.
33. Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)
This product of the Barcelona youth system was snapped up by Arsenal two years ago, and could follow in the steps of Cesc Fabregas in making a name for himself in the Premier League. The Spanish winger is another stand-out performer in the club’s youth team with his pace and skill, and will surely feature in Arsene Wenger’s Capital One Cup squads soon enough.
32. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
Raheem Sterling has been thrust into the first team by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, and has shown enough quality to be a star player for the Reds when he matures. Still raw and in need of experience, the 18-year-old possesses great natural ability and has already been called up to the senior England team.
31. David Alaba (Bayern Munich)
The 20-year-old left-back has not looked at all out of place in Bayern Munich’s star-studded all-conquering team this season, looking solid defensively and useful going forward. The youngster has had a great start to his career, and has already been a full Austrian international for the last four years.
30. Erik Lamela (Roma)
It’s taken the young Argentine a bit of time to settle at Roma, but the 21-year-old has been one of the team’s best performers in Serie A this season, scoring 15 goals from an attacking midfield position. Manchester City and Chelsea are suitably impressed, and have been linked with a summer move for the former River Plate youngster.
29. Phil Jones (Manchester United)
Phil Jones’ talent was already clear when he broke into the Blackburn Rovers team as a teenager, and it’s becoming ever more clear why Sir Alex Ferguson paid a massive £16.5million for him when he was just 19. The versatile defender has not quite found his best position yet, but is tipped to become a Manchester United great.
28. Koke (Atletico Madrid)
Another midfield playmaker coming through at Atletico Madrid, the 21-year-old has been one of the best young players in La Liga this season, providing an impressive 3 goals and 8 assists for Diego Simeone’s side. His displays have already caught the attention of Arsenal and Chelsea.
27. Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich)
After making a name for himself at Swiss side FC Basel, the 21-year-old earned himself a big move to Bayern Munich. Although not always a regular in the team this season, he has shown glimpses of his great talent, and should establish himself as a world star in the next few years, even though there is great competition ahead of him at the Allianz Arena.
26. M’Baye Niang (AC Milan)
The 18-year-old forward is regarded as one of the best French talents at the moment, though he has struggled at times since his big move to AC Milan. Definitely one to watch though, as he has been compared with eccentric talent Mario Balotelli.
25. Adam Maher (AZ Alkmaar)
This exciting young Dutchman is reportedly being lined up by Manchester City next season after his impressive displays for AZ Alkmaar. Still only 19, he has four caps for the full Netherlands national team and has been a first team regular for the club since he was just 17.
24. Yaya Sanogo (Auxerre)
Although only playing in the second tier in France with Auxerre, Yaya Sanogo is wanted by Premier League duo Arsenal and Tottenham, showing himself to be an effective target man, putting his height and aerial ability to good use for the French side.
23. Paul Pogba (Juventus)
Inexplicably let go by Manchester United, Paul Pogba has proven a great signing for Serie A champions Juventus. The 20-year-old looks like the next Yaya Toure, breaking forward from midfield with skill and strength, and showing a great eye for the odd long range strike. Definitely one that United will live to regret letting leave.
22. Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
An exceptionally gifted young goalkeeper, the 20-year-old Belgian may compete with Chelsea stalwart Petr Cech at Stamford Bridge next season, after two impressive seasons on loan in La Liga with Atletico Madrid, who would ideally like to keep him permanently.
21. Pedro Mba Obiang (Sampdoria)
This young Spaniard came through the ranks at Atletico Madrid and is now making a name for himself in Serie A with Sampdoria. 1 goal and 5 assists from the middle of the park this season have shown him to be a good all-rounder as he looks to become a regular with the Spain Under-21 side.
20. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
The 19-year-old winger arrived with a big reputation from Southampton, and looked the part in his first season with Arsenal. Appearances have been harder to come by for him this year, but he remains a regular in the senior England side and his talent when running with the ball is obvious. A loan spell could do the youngster some good, but he’s bound to be a Premier League star in good time.
19. Coutinho (Liverpool)
The talented Brazilian first caught the eye as a teenager at Inter Milan, and looks a good signing by Liverpool after arriving in January. The 20-year-old has 2 goals and 7 assists in his first 12 appearances, showing that there’ll be plenty more to come from him next season.
18. Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
One of the best young defenders in the world, Raphael Varane has shone in his breakthrough season at Real Madrid. The tall and commanding 20-year-old plays with a maturity beyond his years, and has given the fans at the Bernebeu plenty to be excited about with some great displays against Barcelona, showing himself able to stand up against the best attackers in the world.
17. Marco Verratti (PSG)
Dubbed the ‘next Andrea Pirlo’, Marco Verratti earned himself a big money move from Serie B side Pescara to PSG this season, and doesn’t look out of place among the star names of the big-spending French side.
16. Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
Signed for big money from Anderlecht when he was just 18, Romelu Lukaku has not been given enough of a chance to shine at Chelsea. Compared to Blues legend Didier Drogba, the young Belgian has shown his talent on loan at West Brom this season, scoring 14 goals and looking a real handful for Premier League defenders. The strong and pacey striker has surely shown enough to get into the first team at Stamford Bridge next year?
15. Wilfried Zaha (Manchester United)
Manchester United were determined to beat Arsenal to the signing of 20-year-old Wilfried Zaha after his impressive displays in the Championship with Crystal Palace. The forward will join up with the Red Devils next season, and is currently being loaned back to Palace in a bid to help their push for promotion. Could be the latest young talent to make a name for himself at Old Trafford.
14. Cristian Tello (Barcelona)
Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal are all keen on signing this talented Barca youngster, who would be a regular if not for some fierce competition ahead of him at the Nou Camp. The 21-year-old has a big future in the game, showing great dribbling and finishing skills from wide positions.
13. James Rodriguez (Porto)
This Colombian talent has been compared with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo for his ability as a goalscoring winger. Currently at Porto, he has been watched by Manchester United and other top clubs, and looks destined to be a world class performer in the next few years.
12. Kevin De Bruyne (Chelsea)
The young Belgian is unlucky not to be valued by Chelsea, after a great season on loan at Werder Bremen. Despite his 8 goals and 9 assists, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder will probably be sold by the Blues this summer, with Borussia Dortmund keen on signing him to replace Mario Goetze – which shows how highly they rate him.
11. Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)
Dubbed ‘the Spanish Messi’, Iker Muniain is not short of admirers for his silky displays for La Liga side Athletic Bilbao. The 20-year-old has already been called up for the Spanish national team and been watched by Arsenal and Manchester City. At 5 foot 7, he is a tricky customer, usually playing on the wing for Bilbao.
10. Matija Nastastic (Manchester City)
The Serbian defender has had a brilliant first season at the Etihad Stadium after signing from Fiorentina. At only 20 years of age he has been one of the team’s most consistent performers, keeping the experienced Joleon Lescott out of the team all year. Well worth the £14million City paid for him last summer.
9. Lucas Moura (PSG)
The fact that PSG held off competition from Manchester United to sign Lucas Moura for £38million when he was just 19 says all you need to know about this Brazilian talent. The attacking midfielder is one of the best youngsters in the game and is sure to pay back his big transfer fee for the French side once he settles.
8. Oscar (Chelsea)
Chelsea pulled off the signing of a great young player when they brought in Oscar for nearly £20million this summer. Compared with former AC Milan star Kaka, the 21-year-old settled quickly at Stamford Bridge, scoring some stunning goals against Juventus in the Champions League, and linking up with Juan Mata and Eden Hazard in a skillful attacking trio for the Blues.
7. Christian Eriksen (Ajax)
The Danish youngster has been rumoured to be leaving Ajax for the last few years, after quickly showing himself to be a world class young talent. He is still with the Amsterdam club, but almost every big club in Europe will be tracking him again this summer after another great season in which he has contributed 13 goals and 23 assists from midfield.
6. Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Tipped by many to be a future England captain, Jack Wilshere plays with both skill and maturity which is very rare for his age. The 21-year-old has been unlucky with injuries so far in his career, but has had a good comeback season for the Gunners this year. Probably the best talent to come through Arsenal’s youth system since Ashley Cole.
5. Julian Draxler (Schalke)
Schalke will be delighted to have recently secured Julian Draxler to a long-term contract, with the 19-year-old showing himself to be another excellent youngster coming through in Germany at the moment. The attacking midfielder has already worked his way into the German national side and will surely get a move to a bigger club in the near future.
4. Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan)
Undoubtedly one of the best young talents in world football, the 20-year-old Milan winger is the joint-third highest goal scorer in Serie A this season, showing tremendous ability with a range of great strikes for the club. Manchester City are understood to have made him a target this summer, and they will have to pay big money for a player who looks like being on Messi and Ronaldo’s level in a few years’ time.
3. Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund)
Bayern Munich have landed themselves one of the signings of the summer after securing the transfer of Mario Goetze from rivals Borussia Dortmund. The skillful playmaker has been a crucial part of Dortmund’s success in the last few years and is still only 20. He will be one to fear as he grows and develops in this current Bayern side.
2. Isco (Malaga)
Manchester City are hoping to sign La Liga’s best young talent this summer, after 21-year-old Isco enjoyed yet another great year with Malaga. The midfielder has all the components to be a great player, with an eye for a pass and a good goal-scoring touch. Chelsea and PSG are also interested in the exciting Spaniard.
1. Neymar (Santos)
Considered for many years now as the best young player in the world, Neymar looks like finally moving to showcase his skills in Europe with a move to Barcelona rumoured to be wrapped up. The Catalans have spent big money on the Brazilian, who will form a mouth-watering partnership with Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp next season. The 21-year-old has the world at his feet, and looks to have picked the right club for expressing himself and his immense skill.