The finest players aged 21 or under in world football.
Ahead of the 2014/15 season CaughtOffside has decided to bring you an updated version of the 20 best youngsters in world football.
20. Josip Drmic, Bayer Leverkusen
After scoring 16 Bundesliga goals for Nurnberg in 2013/14 this Switzerland international earned himself a switch to Leverkusen this summer and looks set to shine.
19. Geoffrey Kondogbia, AS Monaco
One of the most promising midfielders in Europe and is part of a current crop of exciting French talent that is emerging and the nation could be extremely strong in the coming years.
18. Alvaro Morata, Juventus
Has just completed a big money move to Turin and although injury has cruelly disrupted his settling in, the striker has a great amount of potential after top-scoring at the 2013 Under-21 European Championships.
17. Kevin Volland, Hoffenheim
Was close to being named in Joachim Low’s 23-man Germany squad for their successful 2014 World Cup campaign after a fine previous year in the German top tier in which Volland scored 11 goals from the wing.
16. Matija Nastasic, Manchester City
Something of a forgotten man at the Etihad Stadium having been injured for the majority of the past year, but don’t forget that in 2012/13 the Serbian was the preferred choice in central defence alongside captain Vincent Kompany.
15. Juan Iturbe, AS Roma
Having impressed with newly promoted Hellas Verona last season the winger earned himself a switch to the Stadio Olimpico and a chance to impress on the biggest stage.
14. Luke Shaw, Manchester United
Like Iturbe the performances of this 19-year-old lower down in the league has helped him become the most expensive teenager of all-time this summer as the Red Devils were moved to pay £27m for the England international.
13. Aymeric Laporte, Athletic Bilbao
Played a key part in Athletic Club’s strong performances in La Liga over the past 12 months that helped the side return to the Champions League and gives Laporte a chance to show off his talent.
12. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsenal
Another who has had trouble with injury, but when playing this 20-year-old shows a maturity and versatility far beyond his years and could be important for the Gunners this term.
11. Jese Rodriguez, Real Madrid
Emerged as a real talent at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu last campaign and although is currently recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, head coach Carlo Ancelotti is a big fan of the Spaniard.
10. Lucas Moura, Paris Saint-Germain
Signed for a whopping £37.5m by the rich boys of PSG and although has failed to cement a regular first team place since then is still an undeniable talent.
9. Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea
Could finally be given a chance at Stamford Bridge this term after impressing over the past two years with loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Everton.
8. Julian Draxler, Schalke 04
May not have progressed as quickly as many would have hoped over the past 12 months, but still only 20-years-old the German has an extraordinary amount of international and Champions League experience.
7. Marquinhos, Paris Saint-Germain
The second player from the Parc des Princes now and a Brazilian who has shown great versatility in defence and will play an increasingly important part at the back for the Ligue 1 champions.
6. Stephan El Shaarawy, AC Milan
Like a few others on this list the Italy international has gone off the radar somewhat in recent times due to injury, but the forward is still a fine player and someone who can help Milan out of their current slump.
5. Raheem Sterling, Liverpool
It’s been a fantastic 12 months for this teenager, who has established himself in the starting XI at Anfield and also played a big part for England at the recent World Cup in Brazil.
4. Ricardo Rodriguez, Wolfsburg
This left-back has shown for club and country in recent times that he possesses all that is needed for a modern full-back and is not only defensively sound, but extremely useful in attack as well.
3. Raphael Varane, Real Madrid
The preferred choice for France at the back during the World Cup, Varane will be looking to shown Ancelotti this season that he is also a better choice for Madrid than Pepe.
2. Marco Verratti, Paris Saint-Germain
Whilst millions are spent on squad players by PSG this Italian has shown that he is perhaps their best buy of recent times and has established himself for both club and country still aged just 21-years-old.
1. Paul Pogba, Juventus
Yet top of the pile is a midfielder who has wowed fans and pundits across the globe over the past two years, helping Juve to successive Serie A titles and also shining for the French national team.