KELECHI IHEANACHO (18, Nigeria Under 17 and Manchester City)
Tipped
as the 'next big player' to come out of Africa, Iheanacho has already
enjoyed some big moments in his career for club and country.
The
Nigerian hotshot was very impressive on Manchester City's pre-season
tour of the United States, even scoring in the 4-1 win over Sporting
Kansas City, having won a place on the flight to America by impressing
during a training camp for the fringe players in Scotland.
He
has certainly caught the eye of Yaya Toure, who said: 'Kelechi is an
exciting player. I love the way he plays and I feel that he will have a
good career at the club and go on to become one of the players of the
future.'
Internationally,
he was the star of Nigeria's triumph at the 2013 Under 17 World Cup,
scoring six goals and contributing seven assists as they lifted the
trophy in the United Arab Emirates.
Others in the list includes:
MOSQUITO (18, Brazil Under 20 and Atletico Paranaense)
Don't be fooled by the funny name, Mosquito - or Thiago Rodrigues da Silva - is one of the hottest properties in Brazil.
The
striker was part of the incredibly talented Under 20 squad that went
goal crazy in winning the Toulon Tournament in the summer and has long
been admired by many of the European heavyweights.
Now 18, he has been involved in the Selecao set-up
for five years and first made headlines when he scored 10 goals in
seven matches at the Under 15 South American Championship.
His
subsequent move from Vasco da Gama to Atletico Paranaense caused
controversy as it is generally agreed that players under the age of 17
are not hawked around by agents.
OLIVER TORRES (19, Spain U21 and Porto, on loan from Atletico Madrid)
Part
of the Spain Under 21 squad that will take on Serbia for a place in
next summer's European Championship over the coming weekend,
forward-thinking midfielder Oliver stands out even in such a
prodigiously talented group.
Currently
on loan at Porto - where he has scored once in three matches so far -
from parent club Atletico Madrid, he is tipped for a very bright future.
Two-footed
with exceptional passing and vision, Oliver has already featured in the
Atletico first team and was a member of the Spain squad that won the
2012 European Under 19 Championship.
Oliver Torres (right), who is on loan at Porto from Atletico Madrid, in action against Shakhtar Donetsk
TIMO WERNER (18, Germany Under 19 and Stuttgart)
Known
as the next Sami Khedira. Or is it Thomas Muller? Or perhaps Mesut
Ozil? Whatever the comparison, Timo Werner is well on his way to
fulfilling his huge potential for both club and country.
At
the start of last season it was obvious the forward had outgrown the
youth team at Stuttgart and so, at the age of just 17 years, four months
and 25 days - a club record - he lined up for the first team in a
Europa League tie with Botev Plovdiv.
He has since appeared regularly for Stuttgart, scoring four times.
Werner
is also just the latest off the German production line as they try to
retain their World Cup crown four years from now in Russia. He has been a
regular scorer at every age level so far, notably the Under 17s, where
he got 16 in 18 matches.
Timo Werner playing for Germany in an Under 19 international with Holland last month
AGUSTIN ALLIONE (19, Argentina Under 20 and Palmeiras)
Very
talented right winger who has been the subject of enquiries from
Manchester City and Barcelona, on the recommendation of Lionel Messi, no
less.
The
19-year-old winger won't be coming to Europe just yet, however, having
only recently signed for Brazilian club Palmeiras from Velez Sarsfield
in his Argentine homeland. Allione is just 5ft 6.5in but makes up for
his slight build with abundant skill and speed.
He
was part of the Velez squad that won the 2013 Argentinian championship
and has represented his country at Under 17 and Under 20 levels.
BRUMA (19, Portugal Under 21 and Galatasaray)
Called
up to the Portugal senior squad last October - in place of Cristiano
Ronaldo no less - fleet-footed winger Bruma was being touted as a
wildcard for Paulo Bento's squad at the World Cup.
But
then disaster struck and the Galatasaray man suffered a serious knee
injury that not only ended his season but also any hope of being on the
plane to Brazil.
It
was particularly ill-timed as Bruma was also starting to make an
impression for his club after joining from Sporting Lisbon the previous
summer. No matter, the 19-year-old is back to full fitness and has
plenty of time to fulfil his obvious potential.
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