Best Teen XI In World Football: The Best Young Footballers On the Planet

Best teenage line-up in world football as compiled by Italian source Gazetta dello Sport.

Note XI list criteria states players who were teenagers at the beginning of 2013/14 qualify for selection.

Goalkeeper: Simone Scuffet (Udinese)

Keeper with a very bright future who earned his Serie A debut at the tender age of just 17, has subsequently collected six clean sheets in his first ten appearances.

Left-Back: Luke Shaw (Southampton)

The latest off the St Mary’s production line and a sign of his obvious talent is the fact that valuations of £30m are not considered absurd. 18 year old may just make it into Roy Hodgson’s 2014 World Cup squad.

Centre-Back: Marquinhos (PSG)

Many baulked when PSG paid around £25m for the Brazilian defender last July but after 24 appearances in all competitions this term many can see why the French side were so eager to get their man.

Centre-Back: Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao)

Young French defender has been in accomplished form this term, helping his Basque side to cement their place in the top four in La Liga with the 19 year old racking up 32 appearances this season. Already on the fringes of a senior national team call-up and appearing on the radar of a number of Europe’s ‘Elite’.

Right-Back: Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)

Teenage centre-back received some high praise when at Saint-Etienne prior to securing his move to Chelsea in January, on the cusp of a first French national team call-up.

Centre-Midfield: Adrien Rabiot (PSG)

Rangy midfielder is considered one of the hottest prospects in French football and the 18 year old has already been capped at Under 21 level and has over 50 top level appearances to his name.

Centre-Midfield: Leon Goretzka (Schalke)

19 year old is blooming into a cultured midfielder at Schalke and the Bundesliga side will have to do all they can to keep hold of the German teenager much longer.

Left-Wing: Adnan Januzaj (Man United)

The Belgian born teenager hasn’t looked back since breaking into the Man United first team, scoring a brace on his full Premier League debut. One of the few bright spots in an otherwise shocking season for the Old Trafford club, a player David Moyes will want to keep hold of.

Attacking-Midfielder: Lucas Piazon (Chelsea)

Brazilian has been in inspired form during a season long loan spell at Vitesse, scoring goals and providing assists with alarming regularity, may well be a more prominent member of Jose Mourinho’s squad next term.

Right-Wing: Gerard Deulofeu (Barcelona)

Young Spaniard has made a name for himself during a loan spell at Everton and is sure to be welcomed back into the Barcelona first team set-up next term, where he is ready, willing and able to make an impact.

Striker: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Anderlecht)

Signed by Brussels giants in the summer and his record of 13 goals in 24 appearances have been a feature of an otherwise poor season for Anderlecht.


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