World Football’s brightest young stars
This season there are a few footballers from around the leagues that experts have predicted to make it big on the biggest stage. They have talent, skill, trickery and pace and that’s all they need. We have already seen some of them at the UEFA European U-19 Championships but here’s a list of some of the hottest young prospects in World football today:
Mario Goetze – 18 years old- Borussia Dortmund-Germany
The 18-year old starlet has already been touted as the best football player in the World at his age. He has been at his club since 2001 and only made his senior debut last season in the Bundesliga. Now he is expected to push for a place in the Dortmund starting line-up this Season.
Goetze has a wide variety of skills and trickery as he showed the super rich Manchester City that even in today’s world money is not everything. He claimed two beautiful assists in his side’s friendly win over the Citizens.
The young German forward is from the same generation of Mesut Ozil, Marko Marin and Toni Kross. He will push the youth promoting German coach Jaochim Loew for a place in the national side this season
Dani Pacheco - 19 years old - Liverpool - Spain
Spain’s progress to the final of this summer’s European U-19 Championships was all courtesy of this dynamic striker. Whose form in front of goal was nothing short of magical.
The product of Barcelona’s La Messia, worked wonders on the left wing of the La Roja’a attack and accounted for four goals and was the top scorer in the competition.
It was his defence splitting through-ball, that Rodrigo sent goal bound, to put Spain ahead in the tie only for France to score two late goals to win the Championship.
Pacheco’s main weapon is his pace and while he is also technically very adept with a fearsome strike and quality approach play in the attack. He is yet to make his way into the Liverpool first 11 having already made his debut for the Merseysiders last December.
James Rodriguez – 19 years old – FC Porto - Columbia
Nick named James Bond, Rodriguez is as stylish as Cristiano Ronaldo and also plays in the same league where the twinkle-toed forward first came to World notice. Porto bought 70% of his playing rights this summer when they paid 4.2 million pounds for the forward and also immediately inserted a 25 million pound buyout clause in his contract.
The Dragons have a wicked reputation of nurturing South American starlets in Europe and the hot teen prodigy might be set for one of the most amazing careers at the highest level.
The prolific attacker helped his previous side Banfield win their first ever Argentinean title in 2008 when they won the ‘Apertura’. Later he set the Copa Libertadores alight scoring 5 mesmeric goals.
Rodriguez is a versatile attacker, who is capable of inflicting optimum damage from either flank and also has an uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time. His bulky physique also helps him see off physical challenges from opponents.
Phil Jones – 19 years old – Blackburn Rovers – England
The no nonsense defender was a baffling exclusion from the English U-19 side that took part in the recent European Championships in France. But is now being viewed as an U-21 star in the making. He made his Premier League debut last season against Chelsea and did not disappoint as he was forced to deal with the attacking prowess of the likes of Drogba, Anelka and Frank Lampard.
Jones already draws comparisons with John Terry and is looking to push for a first team place at Ewood Park this season.
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