The best 20 young players in the world right now. For the purposes of this list we deem any player yet to celebrate their 23rd birthday as eligible
20. Lucas Digne – Lille, 20
The France international was deemed so good during his early emergence at Lille that Paris Saint Germain sought to invest a chunk of their newly acquired wealth on securing his future ahead of some serious interest from the Premier League.
However, he has found first team football harder to come by this time around, but coach Laurent Blanc is a fan and Digne has spoken of his patience in waiting for the right time to come along to get into the side. With one France cap to his name already he will have a huge future in the game.
19. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Arsenal, 20
The only thing that has stopped the Ox from climbing higher on this list is the long list of injuries he has sustained since breaking into the Gunners starting XI back in 2011. When he is in the side it is easy to see why Arsenal fans get so excited whenever he has the ball.
His direct running is combined with an all-encompassing vision that make him a dangerous commodity when on the attack. With 14 England caps under his belt, he will likely make it into the World Cup squad this summer as he is one of the only mavericks in the side that can create something out of nothing.
18. Mattia De Sciglio – AC Milan, 21
The 21-year-old has brought frequent comparisons to a certain Milan legend by the name of Paolo Maldini, and it is understandable to see why. However, whilst there is no doubting his ability, there are some who believe that he isn’t ruthless enough and that missing that key trait could hold him back.
But that said, he’s been one of the bright sparks in an otherwise disappointing campaign for Milan and will likely head to Brazil this summer as he has already collected nine caps in the space of a year.
17. Heung-Min Son – Bayer Leverkusen, 21
After coming through the youth ranks at Hamburg the prodigious South Korean set about making a name for himself as one of the hottest young talents in the world and in his final season with the club managed to get himself into double figures in terms of goals.
That set about a scramble for his signature last summer with several top European sides all looking to make him theirs. Leverkusen won that particular race, though, and now the 21-year-old is already two goals shy of matching his tally from last year and found himself impressing in the Champions League.
16. Xherdan Shaqiri – Bayern Munich, 22
The zippy winger is already at arguably the best club in the world right now, and though he has yet to become a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s first team plans, the education he is getting at the Alianz Arena will be priceless.
He is one of the most versatile players in Europe right now, and just needs a regular platform to prove it. With the transfer window coming up he may just get the chance to prove it and establish himself as a true tour de force of the world game.
15. Viktor Fischer – Ajax, 19
The young winger has had a lot to shoulder this season, with the departure of Christian Eriksen to Spurs the Danish international has become the main focal point of the club’s attack, and the way that he has dealt with the responsibility has proven that he is no shrinking violet.
Having only made his debut last season he has already features 34 times this season and it won’t be long before more clubs come in to take a closer look at him.
14. Koke – Atletico Madrid, 22
Having progressed through the various youth stages at Atletico, the attacking midfielder made his debut in the first team at the tender age of 16 and since then he has become one of the most well-rounded youngsters not only in Spain, but in Europe too.
He has featured more regularly under Diego Simeone and will be relied on even more should Diego Costa make an exit in the summer. He has already made his first tentative steps into the Spanish team, and will likely be one of the faces of the new generation to continue their world domination.
13. Daniel Carvajal – Real Madrid, 22
Carvajal was struggling to get into the Madrid team at first, so he did what many young footballers should do and look to a move overseas to gain more first team experience. After a season in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, he returned to the Spanish capital as a new player and has gone on to make 31 appearances in all competitions so far.
Known for being an attack-minded full back, often venturing into the final third to support the offence, he could make the right-back slot at the Bernabeu his own for the next 10 years if he wants to.
12. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – Borussia Monchengladbach, 21
The German international has been heralded as the next best goalkeeper in the world with the ability to rival Casillas, Buffon, Zoff and Schmeichel. At only 21, he made his debut for Borussia four years ago and has been going from strength to strength ever since.
His transfer to Barcelona has been the worst kept secret in football this year as this summer he will link up with the Catalan giants to replace Victor Valdes.
11. Raheem Sterling – Liverpool, 19
Picked up while he was still a schoolboy, there was a real danger that Sterling could have gone off the rails as questions over his commitment and discipline were frequently raised by those connected with the club.
However, under Brendan Rodgers he has settled down and concentrated his focus to become one of the most exciting wingers in the Premier League this year. His recent inclusions into the England national team have been earned completely by merit as he continues to command a starting spot for his club.
10. Luke Shaw – Southampton, 19
It’s sometimes easy to forget that Shaw is only 19 – given that he is never physically bullied, careless or naive, his rise to prominence has been well earned and completely justified.
He is frequently linked with moves to Manchester United and Chelsea, but both he and Southampton have recognised that he will get much more playing time where he is now. However, he is soon set to take over from Ashley Cole as England’s long term left-back, and his recent call up to the national side highlights that.
9. Marquinhos – Paris Saint Germain, 19
The young centre-back has frequently been compared with Fabio Cannavro due to his dominance in the air despite being 5’11. He is also a future master of the well timed tackle and his calmness under pressure belie his tender age.
Another youngster that moved to PSG last year only to find regular game time difficult to come by, it’s amazing that Roma let him go in the first place, though he will no doubt become a mainstay in the French capital soon enough.
8. Romelu Lukaku – Chelsea (on loan at Everton) 20
Considering parent club Chelsea are having some significant striker problems this season, it’s beggar’s belief that the talented Belgian international was sent away on loan for a second successive season.
Whilst at West Brom, and now at Everton, he has proved himself to be a deadly marksman in the Premier League and will surely be given a chance to impress at Stamford Bridge next season, if not then a permanent deal elsewhere may allow him the time to settle and grow into a truly world class specimen.
7. Thibaut Courtois – Chelsea (on loan at Atletico Madrid) 21
The young Belgian has been such a hit in Spain that not only do Atletico want to keep him but Barcelona and Real Madrid want him too.
Having spent the past three years in the Spanish capital he is being deemed ready to take over from Petr Cech in the Stamford Bridge goal next season and will take up that duty after what will hopefully be a strong showing at the World Cup. Has all the ingredients to be the best goalkeeper in the world.
6. Isco – Real Madrid, 21
The attacking midfielder made a name for himself whilst at Malaga and Real Madrid made sure they were first in line to snap him up at the end of the season.
After a slow start to life in the capital he has now re-affirmed his ability and shown everyone that he is not over-awed with life at the club. In recent weeks he has been instrumental in keeping the club in the title race and has exercised his vision and tricky running with full effect.
5. Mario Gotze – Bayern Munich, 21
When Shinji Kagawa left Borussia Dortmund fans knew there was no need to worry as they had a ready made replacement waiting in the wings. Gotze didn’t disappoint as he began his stratospheric rise to prominence in the Bundesliga, something which prompted Bayern Munich to make a move for him.
And he has carried on exactly where he had left off in Bavaria as working under Pep Guardiola has given his game another dimension. Operating as either an attacking midfielder or as a second striker, he has been a key part of Bayern’s continued dominance and will be looking to take the world stage by storm this summer too.
4. David Alaba – Bayern Munich, 20
Many were left scratching their heads when Bayern elected to move Philip Lahm over from the left to the right to make room for the talented young Austrian, but once again they struck gold and Alaba has become a mainstay in the side ever since.
Often able to play further forward, he has emerged as a potential long term replacement for the ageing Franck Ribery as he shares the same pace, power and quick feet as the Frenchman.
3. Julian Draxler – Schalke, 20
Draxler has already featured regularly for Schalke in the Bundesliga since his senior debut in 2011, and his quick feet, excellent close control and long range shooting ability has seen him be heralded as one of the brightest young talents to come out of Europe in a long time.
Frequently linked with a move to Arsenal, Arsene Wenger will be doing everything he can to pull off his signing as his style would see him slip into the Gunners first team with consummate ease.
2. Paul Pogba – Juventus, 21
His reputation as a threat from long range was created by some sensational goals in Manchester United’s reserve side, and he’s carried that into Serie A.
He was instrumental in helping Juve lift the Serie A title last season, and looks all set to repeat the feat again this year before becoming embroiled in what will surely be a tense battle for his signature amongst some of Europe’s most elite clubs.
1. Neymar – Barcelona, 22
The tidy Brazilian has taken to life in Europe so well that it would be easy to forget that he’s only been here since the summer.
Many said that he could not play alongside Lionel Messi, and though that is still being decided he has done his cause no harm by illuminating the Nou Camp with a series of fine solo displays.
He often plays as a striker for both Brazil and Barca in a 4–3–3 formation, drifting occasionally out wide due to his energetic pace and playmaking skills. His dribbling, technical and playmaking ability are often compared of compatriot Ronaldinho.
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