20 Great Young Football Players - The New batch of Wonderkids!

Footballers are being scouted at increasingly young ages as teams fight to find, develop and profit from the best young players in an increasingly competitive industry.
While this list does not include any of the seven-year-old YouTube sensations you come across every now and then, it does include plenty of players you might not be familiar with.
For this list, I imposed an age limit of 20. That means that this list is basically comprised of footballers from the ages of 16 to 20.
You may actually have heard of, or even seen, some of these players, but they still make the list because they have not experienced the same attention that figures such as Neymar have.
There is, of course, no guarantee that any of these players will succeed—many of them have yet to start a match for a senior side, and few of them have played for big teams.

Xherdan Shaqiri
Xherdan Shaqiri is probably best known for scoring a fantastic goal against England during European qualification.
That moment aside, the Swiss winger, who plays for FC Basel, is wowing audiences in his adoptive country with a blend of quick feet, good passing and excellent shooting.
At 20 years old, Shaqiri could well be on the move to one of Europe's big clubs in the near future and on the path to more widespread recognition.


Adem Ljajic
Serbian Adem Ljajic made headlines back in 2009 after Manchester United came to an agreement with Partizan to buy the then 17-year-old. Since then, he has dropped off the radar.
Manchester United ended up not signing Ljajic, and he is now at Fiorentina where he had a good first full season, scoring three and assisting four goals.
A playmaker who has been compared to Kaka, he has some impressive dribbling skills and, still only 20, is increasingly popular in Serbia where he has recently broken into the national side.


Erik Lamela
After impressing for River Plate even as the Argentine giants suffered relegation, Erik Lamela moved to AS Roma where he is already showing a great deal of promise.
He scored a fantastic curled goal in his debut for Roma, and his build, skill and speed are reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The attacking midfielder starred for Argentina's under-20 side during the 2011 World Cup, scoring three goals, and has already made his full début for Argentina.


Iker Muniain
Iker Muniain is an 18-year-old winger and the same height as Lionel Messi. Playing his trade for Athletic Bilbao, Muniain is impressing with goals and skills.
He is the youngest player to score in La Liga, an impressive achievement considering some of the players to have graced the division from a young age—Fernando Torres and Messi, to name two.
Muniain is one of many young Spanish players who could well end up superseding some of the Spanish side's big names in a few years' time. He has some work to do beforehand, but he is certainly one to watch.


Jan Toral
Like Cesc Fabregas, 16-year-old Jon Toral was signed to Barcelona's youth system before he moved to Arsenal for a small transfer fee (£300,000 in this case).
Toral, who is half English, signed a contract with Arsenal after being offered one by Barcelona, according to a report from Goal.com.
He is yet to feature for Arsenal, but if the video is anything to go by, Barcelona have lost one of their main goalscorers and a player with a good deal of skill.
Arsenal's website says that Toral is "a left-footed creative midfielder who likes to play just off the strikers," "has an abundance of technical quality" and "has an eye for goal and his late runs into the penalty area see him on the scoresheet regularly."


Hector Bellerin
Héctor Bellerín is another player who has made the jump from Barcelona to Arsenal this year. An attacking right-back who can also play in midfield, Bellerín is still only 16 years old.
That means that there are no guarantees that he will find success at Arsenal, but the Spaniard is now under the care of Arsene Wenger, who has had great success developing young players.


Raheem Sterling
While the title of the video, "The New Messi," is taking it far too far, Raheem Sterling does look like a promising player.
At 16 years old, he still has plenty of developing to do, including, considering the amount of time he spends cutting in off the wing, improving his left foot.
However, he has good speed and surprising strength given his small stature and young age.
Liverpool poached this winger from QPR in 2010, after the London club had spent seven years on him. He is eligible to play for either Jamaica or England.


Alejandro Grimaldo
16-year-old Alejandro Grimaldo isn't doing badly for himself. At 15, he made his debut for Barcelona B and held his own against professional footballers in the Liga Adelante, Spain's equivalent of the Championship.
To put that in perspective, Lionel Messi did not play for Barcelona B until he was 16, although he had also featured in a friendly for the first team at the age of 16 before appearing for the reserves.
The left-back is full of pace and skill, as the video shows, and is handy in dead-ball situations. Originally from Valencia, Grimaldo moved to Barcelona in 2008 and is certainly one to keep an eye on as he moves up the Barça ranks.



Ross Barkley

Ross Barkley

17-year-old Ross Barkley made his debut for Everton earlier this season, and probably would have done so earlier had he not suffered a broken leg after having already made the bench early last season.
Barkley is tough, but also skillful and creative, which makes for a potent mixture in the Premier League.
He is already gaining suitors, with Chelsea the latest addition to a list that already includes Manchester City and Manchester United.
Barkley is not yet on the radar of those who don't follow the Premier League, but will be looking to barge his way into the international limelight as quickly as possible.

John Guidetti
John Guidetti is a 19-year-old Swedish striker on the books of Manchester City. Unfortunately for him, this means that opportunities to impress have been severely limited.
Nonetheless, he has been impressive in youth and reserve fixtures and has now been loaned out to Feyenoord where he has racked up four goals in six games.
A goalscorer who can also provide assists, Guidetti will really benefit from the season with Feyenoord. He may still have to secure a permanent move away from Manchester City, but there are plenty of teams waiting to take him on; he has been linked to Arsenal, and Feyenoord may well want to keep hold of the Swede.


Souleymane Coulibaly
Tottenham's Souleymane Coulibaly is already being described as the "new Didier Drogba" and has been linked to Real Madrid.
The description not surprising considering he's an Ivorian centre-forward and recently scored nine times in four games at the Under-17 World Cup, including a hat trick against Brazil.
Still just 16, Coulibaly is a huge talent and has already played for Tottenham in a preseason friendly.


Ryo Miyaichi
You probably heard about Arsenal's Ryo Miyaichi when he was signed in January of this year, but he quickly dropped off the back pages.
He was loaned out to Feyenoord where he was in impressive form, exhibiting some promising technical skill which has earned him the nickname "Ryodinho," a combination of his and Ronaldinho's names.


Rafa Alcantara
Rafa Alcântara is an attacking midfielder playing for Barcelona B. If his name seems familiar, it is because his brother, Thiago, already plays for Barcelona as well as Spain.
Rafa recently made his debut for the first team, coming on as a substitute in a Cup game, and at the age of 18, will be hoping to secure a more regular spot in Barcelona's squad as quickly as possible.
Barcelona have a whole heap of talent, which means that Alcântara will have his work to cut out for him if he is to make it there. If he doesn't, there are bound to be clubs willing to take on the teenager.


Stefanos Kapino

Kapino - Greek finest GK

Stefanos Kapino recently made his debut for Greece. In the process, the 17-year-old became the youngest Greek player ever, an impressive accomplishment.
What makes it even more impressive is that Kapino is a goalkeeper. Goalkeepers tend to develop later, although that is not always true, and Kapino certainly still has plenty of developing to do, despite his rapid ascension to the national side.
The Panathinaikos goalkeeper is quickly becoming a fan favourite; he single-handedly secured a point for his side in a recent derby match. His reflexes are impressive, as his stature—he is a touch under two metres tall.
Greek goalkeeping is not at its strongest at the moment, but Kapino could solve that particular problem; he is already being tipped by Panathinaikos fans to be one of Europe's finest goalies.


Marc-Andre Ter Stegen
Marc-André Ter Stegen is a 19-year-old German goalkeeper who is starting to impress in the Bundesliga. His team, Borussia Mönchengladbach, are currently third in the table, partially thanks to the athleticism of the young German.
Borussia Mönchengladbach have put their faith in the young goalkeeper, and the club reckons he could be a major star. He certainly hasn't struggled in the competitive Bundesliga so far.


Junior

Junior

Oscar Dos Santos Emboaba Junior, known as Junior, is a Brazilian attacking midfielder. With all the hype around players like Neymar and Ganso, you could be forgiven for having missed this 20-year-old star.
He recently scored a hat trick in the Under-20 World Cup Final, becoming the first player to score a World Cup final hat trick since Geoff Hurst.
The Internacional player made his debut for Brazil earlier this year, and could prove to be a popular man if he chooses to pursue a move to Europe, as many of his compatriots have done in the past.

Marco Bueno

Marco Bueno

17-year-old Marco Bueno has already had a trial with Liverpool, but will have to wait until he is 18 before he can sign for the Merseyside club.
He is a trequartista who played a vital role in leading Mexico to the Under-17 World Cup. Bueno is a natural playmaker who also has quite an eye for goal.
He should not be thought of as the next Javier Hernandez as he plays in a comparatively deep position and is not a pure goalscorer; he brings more to the table than that.

Erick Torres
Erick Torres is another Mexican striker, and Manchester United are reportedly interested in winning the signature of the 18-year-old. Torres has already picked up five goals this season and has been winning plaudits in his home country for his clever movement in the penalty box and his uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time. Mexico currently have a great crop of youth players, and Torres is one of their leading lights.


Oriol Romeu

Romeu: dubbed the new 'Makelele'

Oriol Romeu, formerly of Barcelona and now of Chelsea, is a Spanish defensive midfielder. Playing in that position for Chelsea means, naturally, that he has been described as the "new Claude Makelele."
Whether or not this proves to be true remains to be seen but from the few appearances he has made for Chelsea so far, it is not out of the question that the Spaniard could be of huge importance to the club over the coming years.
His signing was rather overshadowed by the arrival of the much-vaunted Romelu Lukaku, but Romeu is no less a promising player. Barcelona have been churning out players, and Romeu is yet another who could well have a productive career away from Catalonia.





Juan Manuel Iturbe
Paraguay may end up kicking themselves after they managed to fall out with a potential superstar and drive him into Argentina's welcoming arms.
FC Porto's 18-year-old forward, signed by Andre Villas-Boas, is quite a talent. Being Argentinian, he has been labelled as the next Messi and the next Maradona by those who know him.
This may or may not be the case, but one thing is for sure: Iturbe has potential. Pace, close control and determination mean that he does actually share some of Messi's and Maradona's qualities.
FC Porto may want to keep the Argentinian on a tight leash; Barcelona are already on the trail of the skillful attacker.

Why Sneijder Is Not the Player Sir Alex Needs at Old Trafford

Wesley Sneijder is undoubtedly a world-class player. At Inter Milan, he was the creative fulcrum for the Italian side's treble-winning season and a driving force in Holland's run to the final of the 2010 World Cup.



Wesley Sneijder

 For the past two summers, his name has been batted about the gossip columns as the potential successor to Paul Scholes at Old Trafford—a midfield solution to United’s creative gap.

He would in my opinion offer no such thing, however. Wayne Rooney is United's player 'in the hole', whilst Nani and Ashley Young provide creativity from the flanks, cutting inside. Manchester United's attacking midfield is already well-stocked in mercurial talent and flair. The problem lies further back, in the centre of the park.

In his later years, Scholes dropped deeper within United's formation, becoming the deep-lying playmaker he was lauded as in his later seasons. He became soccer's equivalent to the quarterback, relying on his vision, passing range and awareness rather running on increasingly tired and worn-out legs.



Tom Cleverly

The ginger prince himself has suggested Tom Cleverley can take on his role of the inspiring schemer in the team's midfield engine room, more akin to the all-action Paul Scholes of the past but sitting behind the attacking line.
When in the team, Cleverley is everywhere, covering Anderson's surges forward, linking up play with short, decisive passing, closing down opponents, and winning back possession. He ticks all the boxes.

Looking at United's midfield without the young Englishman, cruelly snatched away and out of form by injury, they seem pedestrian and tired. Perhaps the player United actually require in the middle is one of those fabled 'box-to-box' midfielders?

It’s strange seeing a Manchester United side so lacking in midfield, considering the mid-pitch dynamos who’ve donned the red shirt over the years.

A ‘midfield general’ is something of a cliché these days, but Roy Keane was the embodiment of such a player. Love him or loathe him for his personality, but as a footballer, he was the ball-playing, playmaking enforcer who set the tone of any match he played in, right at the heart of Manchester United’s engine room.

Roy Keane

He was a one-man powerhouse, able to inspire and drive his team to truly great performances, all the while dominating the opposition as both a bloody minded marauder and an intelligent, skilful artisan, able to play some fantastic football.

In my mind, the only player to come close to replicating his unique combination of ruthless, combative energy and tenacious intelligence since has been Owen Hargreaves—a player able to couple smarts, skill and steel, if not the domineering mentality that Keane possessed.

Owen Hargreaves

Sneijder has always been an offensive player, and whilst his passing and ball retention are both fantastic, he lacks the positional discipline, work rate or defensive capabilities to cover United's midfield shortcomings.

He would purely be an expensive and wasteful extra layer of glamour on a team that lacks traction, not pizzazz.
United need someone capable at both ends of the pitch and with the passing expertise and combative tackling approach that can cover and contribute toward the free expression of the more fanciful players in Sir Alex's squad.

Does the answer lie in the inflated transfer market? Jack Rodwell's legend would fit the bill perfectly, but so far, he hasn't quite lived up to the hype built up around him. The solution may lie closer to home.

Darren Fletcher



Paul Pogba

 Fletcher was a key player in the 2008-09 season but, due to chronic illness, has struggled to relive those heights.
Paul Pogba, too, is touted as a great prospect coming up, but his appearances have so far seemed rather timid and nervous.
Ravel's nonchalant determination to get involved bordered on happy arrogance as he zipped up and down the left wing, cutting inside to attack and defend as required. Whether or not he has the positional sense and discipline to play the role is another matter entirely.

Ravel Morrison

Amongst expensive imports and on-the-vine prospects, let's not forget Darren Fletcher. Coming back from fitness hell, he still doesn't look quite right and is struggling to find his feet and form.

Give the Scotsman time and games, though, and he can hit his personal-best 2009 heights again. At full capacity, Fletcher fits the criteria desired perfectly, with an over-clocking engine, underrated passing game and fanatical desire to fight for the shirt that, at his best, saw him ripping through defenses and attacking threats with equal relish.

Ultimately, United need a street fighting graffiti artist, not some esoteric, ornamental thespian.

A closer look at Andreas Pereira, the signing from PSV to Man Utd

A super-talented attacking midfielder, 15-year-old Andreas Pereira has confirmed his transfer from PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United.

He said: "I knew that PSV had given me my chance, but Manchester United is obviously a great club."
"Other British clubs were interested. I thought about it, but Manchester United is a dream club for me. I have been a few times to Manchester United to have a look."

"I got a tour and spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson. Being a 15-year-old and being able to talk with him is great!"

(Scroll down to view his video)

So what else is there to know about Pereira? A Brazilian-born Belgium U16 International, Pereira is a player in the Paul Scholes mould.

He has remarkable technical ability for a player of his age and even better ability with the ball than a lot of players at the U19 level and perhaps higher.

Pereira: Possess passing skill of Xavi and Scholes

His touch and ability to control the ball is very good, while his ability to pluck the ball out of the air is reminiscent of a young Gonzalo Higuain or Dimitar Berbatov.
Pereira is also good at dribbling, but like his future United teammate Nani (especially in the Portugal winger's younger years), he can overstep the mark a bit too frequently.

Where he really excels running with the ball is in his ability to retain possession under pressure in an almost Xavi Hernandez type of manner.
In terms of his passing—one of the main reasons he's so coveted—Pereira is like a young Scholes or Xavi in his vision. He seems able to pick out the run of almost any teammate, and more often than not is accurate with his pass.


Future star of United

His one problem is that he does prefer to seek out the Hollywood pass when better, easier options are available, but that's understandable for a young player who's looking to impress.

In terms of his shooting, he has a decent long-range shot on him, but he does lack the accuracy to be a world-class midfield finisher, so it may be a while before he scores a Frank Lampard number of goals from the middle.

Defensively, he offers a good eye for the interception. Being a player who's always on the lookout for where to play the next pass, Pereira has good ability to read his opposite number's game, and he uses that well to make some key interceptions.

Tackling-wise he isn't the best, again like Paul Scholes, but that isn't really part of his role anyway, so it doesn't matter too much.

Overall, he is a player who definitely fits in with the Manchester United way of playing, and if his performances up until now are anything to go by, Andreas Pereira is a player with huge potential and perhaps an even bigger re-sale value.


As has been well-documented, the youngster is said to be one of the best young players in Europe, but that's all that has been reported.

Chelsea, City and United in £30m battle for Everton starlet Barkley

The Premier League's big three spenders are preparing for a £30million transfer battle which will shatter the world-record fee for a teenage footballer.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have all made known their interest in Everton's midfield sensation Ross Barkley.

Barkley

He is seen by some as an even better prospect than another Goodison Park product, Wayne Rooney, and is set to top the £25.6m United paid for the then 18-year-old seven years ago.
Although Everton will fight to hang on to Barkley, who is not 18 until December, their dire financial situation has made them vulnerable to big offers. Barcelona and Real Madrid are also monitoring the situation.



One top representative said: 'I thought Stevie Gerrard was the best kid in his position that I've ever seen, but Barkley is as good. There's no doubt he is going to be a top player.'
Barkley's progress is all the more remarkable following his horrific triple leg fracture playing for England Under-19s in Belgium last year, which put him out for 10 months.
England coach Noel Blake remembers the incident, a collision with team-mate Andre Wisdom, vividly. 'I still don't feel comfortable thinking about it, as it was so upsetting,' he said.
'Thankfully, he has recovered and it shows his strength of character that he has got back so quickly.'
David Moyes has never been afraid to follow the old adage 'if they're good enough, they're old enough'.
But the Everton manager is determined to nurture Barkley's talents at the right pace.

Barkley: the next superstar from Everton

'Evertonians have not got an awful lot to be excited about at the moment so Ross gives everybody something to look at and cling on to,' he said.
'But I will have to pick and choose him at the right times. It is not just because of his age but also because of his lack of football.'
Barkley's future could be a key factor when Moyes decides whether or not to accept a two-year extension to his own contract.

Man Utd boss Ferguson: Rooney injury may drag on

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits Wayne Rooney's hamstring injury may drag on.

Rooney

United's 100% start to the Barclays Premier League season came to an end at Stoke City in Rooney's absence and the 25-year-old had earlier 'Tweeted' that he was "gutted" he had been unable to play, but hoped he would be fit to feature in the Champions League clash with Basle at Old Trafford on Tuesday.


However, when asked about Rooney's condition after the match at the Britannia Stadium, Ferguson told MUTV: "It is difficult to say. It's a hamstring. It is not a serious one, it is a mild one.


"I don't think he will be available for next week. It will be more than a week out."

Why Man Utd, Barcelona are red hot on Porto signing Juan Manuel Iturbe

The story goes Manchester United will eventually bring Juan Manuel Iturbe to England once he gains his Portuguese passport at Porto.

Juan Manuel Iturbe

Sources in Paraguay say United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign Iturbe immediately, but was persuaded to allow the midfielder to join Porto by Jorge Mendes, the Portuguese super agent, with the view to eventually bringing him to Old Trafford when his work permit difficulties were no longer a factor.


But who is Juan Iturbe? Why is Ferguson so desperate to sign him? And how does an Argentine end up playing in Paraguay?



For many in Argentina, Iturbe is 'their' most talented since Lionel Messi - much to the frustration of Paraguayan football, which less than a year ago were building their future around the 18 year-old.


"When I needed them (Paraguay) they were not there," says the 18 year-old. "They did not know what to make of me. So now I've shut the door.


"Going back (to play for Paraguay) would be a backward step. I have decided to play for Argentina. This decision is final."


Born in Buenos Aries to Paraguayan parents, Iturbe has never actually played on Argentine soil. Instead, the attacking midfielder learned his football in Paraguay with Cerro Porteno, where he made a first team debut as a 16 year-old and in the same season was capped at senior level in a friendly against Chile.


But his Argentine roots always left Paraguay wide open to losing their teenage gem and last year the decision was made.

"He's a great champion, who has now been sold at a moderate price," commented former Argentina World Cup star Abel Balbo. "But within a short time he will cost a lot.


"He is the future Messi."

Iturbe and Messi

"It makes me crazy when they compare me with Messi," confessed Iturbe. "The truth is that it is a bit difficult, because Messi is number one, the best player in the world.


"At the same time, I'm proud people and the press say that my style of play is similar to his."


While his senior experience came at Cerro Porteno, Iturbe's registration was actually owned by Quilmes, with the Argentines moving quickly to tie the then 16 year-old to a pro deal after he had made his debut to great publicity in both countries.


It was Quilmes which sold Iturbe to Porto during the summer, but not before his family called in Paraguayan legend Jose Luis Chilavert as an advisor.

Sir Alex is watching Iturbe

With rumours of interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid, the Iturbe family were becoming overwhelmed with dazzling offers from agents and investors. His father, Juan Manuel Snr, revealed last season one business group had offered to pay his 16 year-old son €14,000-a-month to represent him until he turned 18.


"Iturbe's parents approached me and asked me to help with this situation," revealed Chilavert. "We sat down and talked about his future and what was in front of him. They're very excited, but the right decisions now need to be made for both him and his family."


That 'right decision' was to accept a lucrative offer from Porto - before last summer's U20 World Cup in Colombia.


"I just think Porto is the right move for me," Iturbe remarked upon the news breaking last season. "I think I can make a nice career there."


Iturbe chose to pen terms with Porto, despite the frenzied speculation in Buenos Aries of offers from United and Real Madrid.


"Well, in the future you never know what can happen. We'll see ... but for now it is Porto," added the midfielder.


Porto coach Vitor Pereira is already happy with the impact Iturbe has made.


"He is a fast and can unbalance the opposition. He will play on the wings. Or even between the lines, behind a top-class striker. He is a different player to what we have. A player with an enormous capacity for explosion," enthused Pereira.


It's that explosive capability which has Barcelona sports chief Andoni Zubizarreta already scheduling talks with one of Iturbe's glut of representatives, Gustavo Mascardi. But competition will be fierce.





And with no deal struck for Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder, could Ferguson have an opening for the player he first made contact with when he was still a Paraguayan?

check out this video

Man Utd boss Ferguson: Real Madrid star Ronaldo up there with Cantona

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson regards Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo among the best he's worked with.

Ronaldo: Is already a United legend

Ferguson was asked to name the best player he's coached while in Rome yesterday.

Cantona: The rebel who would be King

"Who is the strongest player I have coached? I cannot pick one in particular, but Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs have been fantastic," Ferguson told reporters during a speech he gave at the University of Tor Vegata, located in the Italian capital Rome.