The 20 most exciting Under 21 stars in action this week.
Whilst most eyes during the international break will be on the senior action, it is also time for the play-offs ahead of the Under 21 European Championship, with most of the major European nations facing off for a place in the tournament itself.
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For the keen fan, however, there is also the chance to watch the seven play-off clashes, with these 20 young stars being the ones we think you should really keep an eye on:
Luke Shaw (England and Manchester United)
Having dropped out of the senior squad, the world’s most expensive teenager should really look a cut above Under 21 level.
Nathan Aké (Netherlands and Chelsea)
The young centre back is highly rated by Chelsea and should start in his side’s play-off against Portugal, one of the most intriguing matches this week.
Ante Rebic (Croatia and RB Leipzig)
The biggest Croatian threat to England could well be striker Ante Rebic, who has experience for the senior team and is currently on loan at RB Leipzig from Fiorentina.
Domenico Berardi (Italy and Sassuolo)
Juventus-owned young striker Domenico Berardi, currently on loan at Serie A side Sassuolo, is rated as one of the best young players in Italy and a future star – catch him in action against Slovakia.
Isco (Spain and Real Madrid)
The fact that a player with the quality and experience of Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco is still playing at Under 21 level just highlights Spain’s absurd depth – they are heavy favourites against Serbia. Isco has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool recently.
Marcos Lopes (Portugal and Lille)
The Portuguese playmaker, on loan at Lille from Manchester City, is highly rated by the powers that be at the Etihad Stadium and will be strutting his stuff against Holland.
Saido Berahino (England and West Bromwich Albion)
Only Chelsea’s goal machine Diego Costa has scored more Premier League goals than young Saido Berahino this season – he was ignored for a senior call-up to help the Under 21s secure qualification.
Maximilian Arnold (Germany and Vfl Wolfsburg)
Germany have always been strong at Under 21 level and are expected to see off the challenge of Ukraine over two legs, with young Wolfsburg forward Max Arnold one of their star turns.
Florian Thauvin (France and Marseille)
Young forward Florian Thauvin has seen his career revitalised by joining Marseille after a frustrating spell at Lille, punctuated by a loan with Bastia – he is performing wonderfully under Marcelo Bielsa and back in the international fold.
Kenneth Zohore (Denmark and IFK Goteborg)
Powerful and quick young striker Kenneth Zohore is currently on loan in Sweden with IFK Goteborg after he signed for Fiorentina and is the star of the young Danish side taking on Iceland.
Munir (Spain and Barcelona)
Called up to the Spain squad recently to see off any overtures from Morocco, Munir has already been in amongst the goals for Barcelona this season and is the latest off the La Masia production line.
Milos Veljkovic (Serbia and Tottenham Hotspur)
Teenage full back Milos Veljkovic made the move from FC Basel to Spurs as a youngster and is now believed to be on the fringes of the first team at White Hart Lane after making his debut last season.
Kurt Zouma (France and Chelsea)
Chelsea centre back Kurt Zouma is the primary back up at Stamford Bridge this season and seen as a big part of the future of French football, but Les Bleus’ strength at centre back means that he will play against Sweden.
Javier Manquillo (Spain and Liverpool)
Young right back Javier Manquillo has started the season impressively for Liverpool since joining them on loan from Atletico Madrid and is a main stay of the Spanish Under 21 side.
Melker Hallberg (Sweden and Udinese)
The Allsvenskan breakthrough player of the year last season, midfielder Melker Hallberg made the big move to Serie A and Udinese from Kalmar this summer. Despite his tender age of just 18, a call-up to the senior squad alongside the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic could well be just around the corner.
Max Meyer (Germany and Schalke)
Despite not even having reached his 20th birthday yet, Schalke attacking midfielder Max Meyer already has 40 Bundesliga appearances to his name, as well as a full cap for Germany. A wonderfully talented player, he is on the radar of most of the major clubs in Europe.
Daley Sinkgraven (Netherlands and Heerenveen)
Manchester United and Liverpool are amongst the clubs believed to be interested in signing teenage playmaker Daley Sinkgraven from Heerenveen, with Louis van Gaal known to be a fan of the 19 year-old who will play for the Dutch Under 21 side against Portugal.
Lewis Baker (England and Chelsea)
Called up to the England Under 21 squad for the first time for the matches against Croatia, Chelsea youngster Lewis Baker is one of the most exciting in their academy – a real goal threat from midfield.
Giannelli Imbula (France and Marseille)
Another big part of the Bielsa revolution at the Stade Velodrome, powerful central midfielder Giannelli Imbula is admired by both Chelsea and Arsenal and unlikely to be at Marseille for too long before a bigger club snaffles him.
Andrea Belotti (Italy and Palermo)
Brought in to replace Abel Hernandez, the Uruguayan striker who became Hull City’s record signing this summer, young Palermo striker Andrea Belotti has been smashing the goals home in Serie A since signing from AlbinoLeffe on a permanent basis this summer.