This year is set to be a breakout year for a number of high quality youngsters, and each of the names below will be looking to break into their respective first teams in the coming months.
And thanks to the Daily Mail, we’re able to bring you a comprehensive rundown on who the best of the best are and what they can bring to the table.
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10. Lee Seung-Woo – Barcelona
The 17-year-old is so highly rated at Barcelona that he is already being referred to as the ‘Korean Messi’ and has had such an impact on the club’s La Masia youth system that he is expected to be a regular in their B team when he turns 18 later in January.
A dynamic attacking midfielder, he has already made an impact on the international scene during the Under-17 World Cup where he helped his country overthrow Brazil.
9. Marco Asensio – Real Madrid
The 19-year-old winger has already made an impact in La Liga with Real Mallorca, and Real Madrid saw enough of him to snap him up quickly in 2014. He was then loaned back to Mallorca before being sent out to Espanyol this term, and he has made himself comfortable in their first team so far.
A classy product that has already tasted success in Spain’s Under-19s and has already began to make his mark on the U21s.
8. Abdelhak Nouri – Ajax
The latest in a long line of players to graduate from Ajax’s famed youth academy, and the 18-year-old has already garnered interest from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.
The tricky midfielder is a regular in Ajax’s B team, but word on the street is that he will soon be promoted to Frank de Boer’s first team.
7. Timothy Fosu-Mensah – Manchester United
With United’s back line still in a state of disarray, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see Louis van Gaal throw his 17-year-old compatriot Timothy Fosu-Mensah into the mix at some point.
Having joined United in 2014, the centre-back is being famed for his fast reactions and athleticism, which he shows off regularly with the Dutch Under-17 national team.
6. Angel Correa – Atletico Madrid
Having arrived at Atletico from Argentine side San Lorenzo last summer, it has only been recently that he has made an impact on the first team thanks in part to a heart tumour, but this term he has stepped up to score twice in 11 appearances.
He has been billed as being in a similar vein as Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez as his all action approach has only served to accentuate his breath taking skill, and he has already been capped three times at international level.
5. Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich
Bayern pounced quickly to bring Kimmich on board last year after being impressed with the 20-year-old’s performances for Leipzig, and though the 20-year-old has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of club legend Bastian Schweinsteiger, he has ambitions of starring a little further forward.
With Bayern’s current legends all ageing, it likely won’t be long before he is given his chance to shine in the first team.
4. Gianluigi Donnarumma – AC Milan
Not many players make an impact on a club of Milan’s size at just 16, but Donnarumma’s performances have got Italian media whipped up and he is being tipped as the next Gianluigi Buffon.
Currently ousting old heads Diego Lopez and Christian Abbiati from the number one spot at the San Siro, he will undoubtedly have a big future ahead of him.
3. Donyell Malen – Arsenal
The 16-year-old arrived at Arsenal fresh from Ajax recently, and is already getting everybody excited about his future.
Predominately used as a striker, he is taking good advantage of his development by adapting his game into wide positions thanks to his pace and outrageous skill.
Despite his young years he is already featuring in Arsenal’s Under-21 squad ahead of time.
2. Ianis Hagi – Viitorul Constanta (on loan from Fiorentina)
The 17-year-old attacking midfielder is already on good grounding being the son of legendary Romanian forward Gheorghe Hagi.
And it was a huge testament to his talent that he captained Romanian title contenders Viitorul before making a €1million move to Italian giants Fiorentina (though he is now back on loan at the club).
1. Alen Halilovic – Barcelona
The 19-year-old caused waves across Europe during his time with hometown team Dynamo Zagreb, and Barcelona wasted no time in bringing him on board.
However, though he has starred in their B team regularly, he has yet to feature for the senior squad, and this season in spending time on loan with Sporting Gijon, where he has so far bagged two goals in 11 appearances.