Best youngsters in Europe - Teenage XI

One of the beauties of football is that skill is all that matters. Your physical and mental attributes only count for so much. At the end of the day, it is what you bring to the table. So, whether you are 18 or 38, if you have what it takes, you have what it takes. So, here is a look at the European teenage XI from the major European Leagues. A lineup consisting of future superstars, who are currently on their way to greatness.Note: For the purpose of clarity, all the players who were 19 or younger at the start of this season were considered. Some players on the list, might be 20 now, but they were a teenager at the start of the current season and hence their inclusion.

#1 GK: Simone Scuffet

Age: 17

Club: Udinese

Whilst goal keepers are generally set to mature later than out field, the current crop of young keepers which includes the likes of De Gea, Courtois and Szczesny make a mockery of that. And one keeper who might yet make that list is Udinese’s Simone Scuffet.

Whilst most 17-year-old keepers are in their club’s youth or reserve teams, Scuffet is currently in the first team. Ever since he came in for the injured Zeljko Brkic, he has been a revelation so far and with plenty of years ahead of him, he has what it takes to be one of the finest keepers of his generation.

#2 RB: Kurt Zouma

Age: 19

Club: AS Saint Etienne

Ever since he broke into the ASSE first team in 2011, Zouma’s playing career has been on an upward trajectory. And by the time he was 18, he was already in the first team. This incredibly talented defender can play both in the center and right side of defense.

His awe-inspiring performances this season have already earned him a £12m move to Chelsea this summer. And with John Terry’s days numbered, Zouma looks like the man around him the new Chelsea will be built.

#3 CB: Marquinhos

Age: 19

Club: Paris Saint-Germain

Any teenage defender who commands a fee of nearly £30m ought to be half-decent. And, in the limited opportunities he has had so far this season, Marquinhos has continued from where he left off at Roma.

In the League, the center back hasn’t had as many opportunities as he would have liked. But in the Champions League, he has started 6 of PSG’s 9 games and has scored thrice and has shown that he has what it takes to repay the faith shown by Paris Saint-Germain.

Still only 19, he will surely benefit from playing with seasoned Brazilian center halves Alex and Thiago Silva.

#4 CB: Mathias Ginter

Age: 20

Club: Freiburg

One of Germany’s brightest defensive prospects, Freiburg’s Mathias Ginter has quickly established himself as a first-team regular after a solid U21 European Championship. From making his debut barely 18 months ago to being a regular fixture this season, Ginter’s transformation has been simply sublime.

Strong in the tackle, good both in the air and on the ground, with an innate ability to be at the right place at the right time, his defensive ability cannot be questioned. His versatility means that he can also play in the center of midfield, where his perfectly judged tackles and interceptions become crucial. With Manchester United already knocking on Freiburg’s door, the German international is certainly destined for greatness.

#5 LB: Jetro Willems

Age: 20

Club: PSV Eindhoven

Not many teenage full backs, can claim to have knocked down a place for both their club and country. But, Jetro Willems has managed to just that. After breaking into the first team last season, Willems has gone on from strength to strength this season.

This time around, he has established himself for his club yet again, thanks to his consistent displays from left back, which has seen score four and assist three goals already this season. His form didn’t go unnoticed and was immediately called up for the Netherlands national team. And with Blind playing through the middle, he looks to have sewn up his starting berth for Brazil.

#6 RM: Gerard Deulofeu

Age: 20

Club: Everton

Breaking into Barcelona’s first team as an attacker is easier said than done. So, when Roberto Martinez enticed Deulofeu from Barcelona’s B-team to the Toffees, both parties knew that it was a win-win for all concerned.

And ever since signing for the Toffees, the 19-year-old has shown just why he is held in such high regard by the Catalans. Possessing electric pace and precise passing, the Spanish starlet has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water. And should he seal a permanent deal this summer, Everton will have in their ranks, a truly world-class player.

#7 CM: Adrien Rabiot

Age: 19

Club: Paris Saint-Germain

Establishing yourself as a midfielder in the current PSG squad is a tall order in itself. To do when, you are just 18 is something else. But, that is precisely what Adrien Rabiot, who celebrated his 19th birthday last Thursday, has managed.

Having already made over 25 appearances this season, including six in the Champions League, Rabiot has already started his footballing education under the tutelage of several seasoned veterans present in the PSG squad.

#8 CM: Leon Goretzka

Age: 19

Club: Schalke

When the name Schalke is mentioned, you would be forgiven for thinking about either Julian Draxler or Max Meyer. But, it is another German, Leon Goretzka who has been making plenty of waves in Germany this year. The 19-year-old has already played in 20 League games this season and although he is a defensive midfielder by trade, has four goals to his name.

Strong in the air, good in the tackle and capable of pinging precise long balls for fun, the versatile German can play as either a defensive shield or an offensive enforcer. One thing is for sure, whether Draxler leaves or not, Schalke certainly have another midfield gem to safeguard with care.

#9 LM: Jean-Paul Botius

Age: 19

Club: Feyenoord

Dutch attacking starlets are nothing new. So, when a young left winger by the name of Jean-Paul Botius was coming through the ranks at Feyenoord, not much was made of him. But when scored an equalizer on debut, against Ajax, aged just 18, people started to take notice.

Slowly but surely, he worked his way up to becoming a first-team regular. Although he is primarily deployed as a winger, with his skill set he has what it takes to be a striker as well. With 9 goals and 9 assists this season, he sits third on the clubs goal scoring charts and third in the Eredivisies assists chart. Having only turned 20 last month, Botius has certainly shown that he might break into the national side before too long.

#10 ST: Domenico Berardi

Age: 19

Club: Sassuolo

After Berardi finished last season as Sassuolo’s joint top scorer in Serie B, expectations were certainly pretty high. But even the most optimistic fans couldn’t have foreseen what has just transpired. In matter of months, Berardi has taken Serie A by storm and has exceeded every expectation.

Whilst his 12 goals and three assists are certainly impressive, what makes him even more lethal is his ability to bring his team mates into the picture. Still only 19, Juventus have certainly gotten themselves a steal and as time passes, Berardinho is only going to get better.

#11 CF: Aleksandar Mitrovic

Age: 19

Club: Anderlecht

When you are on the lookout for a goal hungry center forward, the Belgian Jupiler League isn’t the first place you would think of going to. Even though the League has given gems like Lukaku and Benteke, the quality on show isn’t too great.

But, once so often, you come across a gem like Mitrovic, who is not to be missed. The Serbian starlet has taken Anderlecht by storm and his 12 goals in 20 starts is proof of that. If he continues on his upward progress, expect him to make his move to the Premier League before too long.