With Jamie Redknapp recently calling Anthony Martial the best 19-year old he has seen since Messi, the French teenage sensation is the most recent youngster to be pushed into the category of a wonderkid. However, the Manchester United striker is not the only top young talent who is ready to burst on the scene. Here are some of the best young football players to keep your eye on in the near future.
Young Football Players To Keep An Eye On
Youri Tielemans
Being a mainstay in midfield of a team that frequently competes in the Champions League is an aspiration for many midfielders in the game, so for Youri Tielemans to make this a reality at the age of 17 clearly portrays the talent that the Anderlecht player has. Featuring in 35 games last season, Tielemans managed to score 6 goals assisting a further 6 for his teammates, an impressive tally from centre-midfield. Usually deployed in a deep lying playmaker role, the Belgian is also as comfortable stepping up as a box- to box midfielder showing his versatility at such a young age. Still only 18, the quality that makes this young talent so special is his ability to dictate and control the tempo of games and has led to comparisons with the great Andrea Pirlo. Arsenal fans would have noted, as well as his wide range of passing abilities and close control, that Tielemans also possesses a superb set piece delivery which caused problems for the Arsenal defence last year in the Champions League group stages. The fact that the Anderlecht midfielder possesses such a mature game has left him being reportedly courted by top European sides such as Barcelona, Bayern, Manchester United and Atlético Madrid. If the youngster continues on the same developmental arc it is more than likely that Youri Tielemans will feature in Belgium’s Euro 2016 squad and could be a breakout star in the Tournament.
Gonçalo Guedes
Already dubbed “The new Cristiano Ronaldo” the 18-year old Portuguese starlet has been excelling for Benfica’s B side in past campaigns, and this season has recently stepped up into the Águias first team, most notably scoring the winner in a 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. A forward that can play anywhere across the front three Guedes’ main strengths are his calm clinical finishing and slaloming dribbles with the ball at his feet. The young attacker often makes penetrating runs ad often combines the two skills to which he excels by cutting and finishing strongly with a shot at goal. Although not blessed with mercurial speed the Benfica teenager has already had three successful take-ons this season in only two Champions league games highlighting that he is not shying away since his move up to the first team. At only 5’10” and a slight build, comparisons with Ronaldo are some way off the mark, not only physically but also with his level of ability. Guedes is one of the most impressive young forwards in the game but has a lot of developing ahead of him before he can be truly likened to Ronaldo, although he will be looking to take those next few steps towards the iconic Portugese forward in the near future.
Ruben Neves
Another highly rated Portuguese talent that football enthusiasts need to keep an eye on is 18 year old FC Porto defensive midfielder Ruben Neves. Having risen through the ranks of the Porto youth system, Neves has stepped into the first team this season and certainly hasn’t looked out of place. Scoring on his league debut the teenager has gone from strength to strength. “for a 18-year-old, he is fantastic with the ball at his feet, he knows how to position himself and he’s aggressive. He’s similar to Sergio Busquets.” Those were the words of Neves’ Porto teammate Christian Tello, who is on loan at the Portuguese giants from Barcelona. Neves does possess similar qualities to the Catalan midfielder, excellent ability to read the game, tough tackling, strong positional sense and a calm demeanour on the ball. However it is arguable to say that Neves has a better natural technical ability and possesses a much wider range of passing as well as an eye for goal. In his Champions League appearances this year Neves has played 61 successful forward passes, creating 3 chances and supplying 1 assist, the best out of any Porto midfielder. His impressive appearances this term have reportedly led to Liverpool scouting him against Madeira this month as they vie to finally replace the whole left by Xabi Alonso, however they will surely face stiff competition from Europe’s top clubs if Neves continues to excel.
Breel Embolo
At only 18 years of age, the thing that makes the Basel striker stand out is the fact he is already a physical specimen. 6’1” frame, power and pace Embolo is a centre-backs worst nightmare as he can bully them with his back to goal or burst past them with his mercurial pace. Despite his height Embolo is an excellent dribbler and often uses close control with the occasional trick to get himself out of tight situations. Embolo also has the necessary predatory instincts that are needed to become a prolific number 9, often being at the right place at the right time, Embolo finds a lot of joy when running the channels and finding himself in behind defences. This subsequently creates a lot of space for his teammates as he pulls opposition defenders away. The Swiss youngster also impressively racked up 13 assists last year for the Swiss League champions to go along with his 14 goals, showing that he has an eye for the killer pass as well as an eye for goal. A full International for Switzerland having already made 7 appearences for the senior side he recentley scored his first international goal against San Marino helping them to qualify for Euro 2016, where he will be looking to live up to his potential and have a big impact on the tournament.
Gabriel Barbosa
The 19- year old known as “Gabigol” due to his scoring exploits at youth level – where supposedly he has scored over 600 goals at all levels – Gabriel is the next big Brazilian Wonderkid. Continually likened to Neymar, where there are flashes of Neymar-esque skill, Gabriel’s overall playing style is more akin to Sergio Aguero than his fellow Brazilian. Gabriel often comes out wide to collect before breaking into the box and using his clinical left foot. The same height as Neymar, standing 5’9″, he has a bigger frame which seemingly allows him to ride challenges a bit better and more often. His speed and skill are, like most Brazilians, without fault and are a big part of his game. However without doubt Gabriel’s most dangerous quality is his assassin like finishing ability, if the teenager goes through one on one there is only going to be one winner. Barcelona apparently have first refusal of Gabigol’s £50 million buyout clause due to a add on in the Neymar deal and it may not be too long before the Blaugrana or another top side make a move for the exciting youngster.
