Check out the top 18 youngsters in the world who you may not have heard about yet. Including Liverpool targets and Arsenal starlet…
Top clubs around the world are always looking for the next big thing, and players are emerging younger and younger these days. But until they become the next big thing, these talents remain undiscovered gems.
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Here are 18 of the best young players in the world who you probably haven’t heard of yet, courtesy of FTBPro.
18) Dawid Kownacki – Lech Poznan
At just 17-years-old Kownacki has already made 18 first team appearances, the striker looking to cement his place in the senior squad despite his young age.
He has represented Poland at a number of youth levels, and will hope to make the step up to the full team soon.
17) Gedion Zelalem – Arsenal
After a fantastic pre-season, Arsenal fans have been surprised that the 17-year-old hasn’t made a Premier League appearance yet.
He did make a substitute appearance last season in the FA cup victory over Coventry City however, and looked confident, calm, and skilled on the ball.
16) Maxime Lopez – Marseille
16-year-old Lopez has been linked with a move to Liverpool, as well as a host of other top European clubs.
He has been compared to Marseille icon Mathieu Valbuena, but certainly has the potential for far greater things.
15) Richairo Zivkovic – Ajax
Following in the footsteps of some of the greatest players to grace the Dutch League, Zivkovic took the record of youngest player to ever score for Groningen from Arjen Robben, as well as mimicking Luis Suarez with his move from Groningen to Ajax.
14) Kelechi Iheanacho – Manchester City
18-year-old Iheanacho has been prolific at youth level, scoring six times and assisting seven times during the Under-17s World Cup.
He may struggle to break into the star studded Manchester City squad at the moment, but he is definitely a youngster with bags of potential.
13) John Souttar – Dundee United
Having already reached 30 appearances for Dundee at just 18-years-old, Souttar is a fantastic centre-back and looks to have a bright future ahead of him.
He has suffered from a number of niggling injuries recently, but he is young enough to overcome them and reach the heights expected oh him.
12) Gianluca Gaudino – Bayern Munich
The 17-year-old Bayern Munich youth product made his debut for the German club in this year’s Super Cup.
Current manager Pep Guardiola is thought to be a big fan of his, and will look to bring him into the first team fold this season.
11) Patrick Pflucke – Mainz
Most known for his exploits with the German youth team, Pflucke is expected to be a future star by many in the Bundesliga.
A tricky attacking midfielder, he is the kind of player that wows crowds on a regular basis.
10) Youri Tielemans – Anderlecht
Currently the youngest ever player to play in the Champions League, Tielemans looks to be the next big thing to come out of Anderlecht’s youth system.
Now 17-years-old, the youngster has already made 36 first team appearances in the Belgian league.
9) Gennaro Tutino – Napoli
18-year-old Gennaro has unfortunately suffered a cruciate ligament injury recently, but if he can recover fully then Napoli could have a fantastic young player on their hands.
8) Joseph Marie Minala – Lazio
Arguably the most well known player on this list, but known more for the controversy over his age rather than his ability.
On loan this season but yet to make an appearance, the 18-year-old is one to look out for.
7) Federico Bonazzoli – Inter Milan
Bonazzoli has made just one solitary appearance for Inter Milan, but the 17-year-old could be a superb striker in the future.
6) Gabigol – Santos
With 27 appearances and six goals to his name already, this 18-year-old is definitely one to look out for. He made his debut at just 16, and looks set for big things.
5) Donis Avdijaj – Schalke 04
A reported Liverpool target, Avdijaj is a yet to make a first team appearance for Schalke’s first team, but it looks only a matter of time.
The German side are well known for nurturing young talent, so he is at the perfect club.
4) Sascha Horvath – Austria Vienna
A diminutive and pacey attacking midfielder, 18-year-old Horvath has recently broken into Austria Vienna’s first time, and with his abundance of talent he is sure to become a target for a number of bigger clubs.
3) Patrick Roberts – Fulham
Having joined Fulham from Wimbledon in 2010 the 17-year-old has already made nine appearances for Fulham’s first team.
With the London club currently languishing in the relegation zone of the Championship, he could be set for a step up to bigger and better things at some point soon.
2) Ajeti Albian – Basel
17-year-old Ajeti is one of three Albian brothers currently playing for Swiss side Basel. His older brother plays for the senior side, while his twin is currently in the youth team.
Ajeti has turned out for both teams, even scoring for the senior side despite his tender age.
1) Hachim Mastour – AC Milan
The 16-year-old Italian has already made a handful of appearances for AC Milan’s senior side, and and looks to be a fantastic prospect for the future.
A skilful and pacey striker of Moroccan descent, Milan will be looking to hold onto him for as long as possible.