'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAJAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgP/2gAIAQEAAAAAHqGlf//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT/2gAIAQIQAAAAJ//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT/2gAIAQMQAAAAP//EACUQAAECBAQHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIDBQABBBIGESFyFSIkMjRBcf/aAAgBAQABPwB0QcAbHdyVo1unqRUC5APcsjuHOetvN9hPDNNUJitUNrwSykrznwhXUp7dIqPGV2DBd04//8QAGhEBAAEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgABBSGh4f/aAAgBAgEBPwAXEvNBvk//xAAZEQABBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAMEUZH/2gAIAQMBAT8AKQbdYv/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi might be dominating the world of football currently, but nothing lasts forever. There are some amazing talents coming through the academies and many of them are primed to have their breakthrough season this time around.
Some of these players have already made it to the first team squad, while some make this list based on their potential and the wonderful glimpses of talent they have shown whenever they have stepped out on the football pitch. Let us take a brief look at some of the most talented youngsters in the world of football:
Manchester City
Manchester City youth academy also known as the elite development squad has one of the best youth academies in the world. There are a number of talented youngsters who will be hopeful of making a mark in the senior squad. However, these 3 youngsters have impressed the most so far:
Tosin Adarabioyo (18) – Centre Back
The young defender first came into the spotlight during this year’s pre-season, when he put in an extremely accomplished performance against Borussia Dortmund. Tall, quick and most importantly good on the ball, Tosin Adarabioyo is definitely a Pep Guardiola type of player and could grow to become a player similar in style to John Stones.
Manu Garcia (18) – Attacking midfielder (loaned to Deportivo Alaves)
A Spaniard who has a playing style very similar to David Silva, Manu Garcia, who is just 18, is currently on loan at Spanish side Deportivo Alaves. A neat passer on the ball, Garcia made his debut for the senior squad in the league cup, where he even scored a goal against Crystal Palace.
A good spell at Alaves might see Manu Garcia establish himself in the senior squad next season.
Brahim Diaz (16) – Forward/Winger
Probably the most talented youngster in the City academy, Brahim Diaz has been turning heads with his stunning dribbles and brilliant individual solo runs. Still only 16, the Spanish youngster was fast-tracked into the U-18 squad. Capable of the spectacular, Brahim Diaz has all the attributes required to be a complete forward
Chelsea
Chelsea football club are often ridiculed for letting their talented youngsters go out on loan, but there is no denying the fact that they have some of the best youngsters in world football playing for them this moment.
Dominic Solanke (18) – Striker/Winger/Attacking midfielder
Dominic Solanke is one of the brightest young talents in England and Chelsea. The talented youngster is capable of playing as a striker, winger or even as an attacking midfielder and is one of the few youngsters capable of breaking into the first squad. Solanke who was on loan at Vitesse had an impressive spell and was noted for his physique and speed.
Chelsea will do well to hang on to Solanke and give him some first team opportunities this season.
Charly Musonda (19) – Attacking midfielder/Winger (loaned to Real Betis)
Charly Musonda is an extremely talented attacking midfielder and like many of these Chelsea youngsters is both an FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League winner. The Belgian U-21 youngster is currently on loan at Real Betis and his performance this season will go a long way in determining his Chelsea future.
Tammy Abraham (18) – Striker (loaned to Bristol City)
An 18-year-old striker who is already turning heads at Bristol City, Tammy Abraham is a prolific goalscorer. The pacy striker has netted a stunning 74 goals in 98 appearances for the various Chelsea youth sides. This season alone for Bristol City, Abraham has already scored 4 goals in 5 appearances. He is considered to be among the most talented youngsters in English football.
Chelsea have some of the best academy players and people like Lewis Baker and Jeremie Boga will also be looking to make an impact this season.
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has never been shy at giving youth a chance, and Arsenal over the years have had plenty of gifted youngsters play for them. They have some youngsters who are on the verge of breaking into the first team squad:
Gedion Zelalem (19) – Midfielder
Widely known as the first player to feature for Arsenal who was born after Arsene Wenger took charge of the club, Gedion Zelalem is a 19-year-old midfielder gifted with prodigious skill and talent. Zelalem has excellent poise and passing range and he played a key role in Ranger’s promotion to the Scottish Premier League in the previous season.
Jeff Reine-Adelaide (18) – Forward/Winger/Midfielder
A youngster who was called ‘special’ by Arsene Wenger last season, Jeff Reine-Adelaide is a versatile player capable of playing as a forward, winger and even a central midfielder. Blessed with a neat first touch and blistering pace, Reine-Adelaide will be pushing for first team football this season.
Krystian Bielik (18) – Defensive midfielder/Centre Back
18-year-old Bielik is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder and as a defender. A born leader, Bielik was the captain of Arsenal’s youth side which made the FA Cup semi-final and was one of the standout performers of this side. The Polish international might get an opportunity to impress in the first team this season.
Liverpool
Liverpool have had some exciting talent coming through at Melwood and with Jurgen Klopp not averse to giving youth a chance, these talented youngsters will be hoping to impress the maverick German and make themselves household names around the world.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (17) –Midfielder/Right Back
Still only 17, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been with Liverpool since the age of 6 and is all set to make his senior debut under Jurgen Klopp this season. A creative central midfielder with great stamina, Alexander-Arnold is also capable of playing as right-back and impressed in pre-season friendlies this year. The youngster was also on the bench in Liverpool’s opening Premier League fixture against Arsenal.
Already a regular fixture in the first team squad, it is just a matter of time before he makes his official senior debut for Liverpool.
Ben Woodburn (16) – Forward/ False 9/Attacking Midfielder
Although Liverpool fans’ claims of Woodburn already being better than Marcus Rashford might be slightly exaggerated, there is no denying the fact that he is one of the most talented youngsters in Europe if not the world right now. Just 16, Woodburn came into prominence with his stunning performances in pre-season, regularly troubling opposition defences and scoring goals.
Blessed with great pace, dribbling and finishing skills, Woodburn is capable of playing in the advanced midfield positions and across the forward line. Ben Woodburn – remember this name football fans.
Yan Dhanda (17) – Attacking midfielder/ Central Midfielder
First player of Indian heritage to sign a professional contract with Liverpool, Yan Dhanda is tipped for great things at the Liverpool academy. A free-kick expert, Yan Dhanda has set himself a target of representing Liverpool before the age of 20 and he still has 3 years to do it.
Best suited at the number 10 position, Dhanda has a knack of finding space in tight areas and picking out the right passes. The 17-year-old also featured in a close door friendly recently for Liverpool against Huddersfield where he was impressive and even received words of encouragement from manager Jurgen Klopp.
Manchester United
Manchester United always have a rich history of nurturing youngsters and providing academy talent opportunities to shine. The likes of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Gary Neville have all been famous graduates from Carrington. Although there are real fears about Mourinho not giving youth a chance, these 3 academy players have a real chance of making it to the United first team squad.
RoShaun Williams (17) – Centre Back
The 17 yeard old Manchester United defender also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder first made headlines when he was just 14, but not for his footballing talent. Blessed with blistering pace, RoShaun Williams first came into the limelight for breaking his school’s 25-year-old 100m record, beating Olympic gold medal winner Darren Campbell's previous best .
Wiliams made his debut for the U-21 side just aged 16, and he successfully marshalled talented City graduates like Manu Garcia and Celina. Good with the ball and blessed with great tactical awareness, RoShaun Williams has all the hallmarks of being a future United captain.
Axel Tuanzebe (18) – Centre Back
"With Axel, ten minutes is enough! The potential is there, you see it immediately.
"You know him better than me because you know him for a few years but if anyone sees him for the first time, ten minutes is enough to see the potential."
When Jose Mourinho says that about some player, you know he is special. Another talented ball-playing centre-back, Axel Tuanzebe has already captained the youth sides and it looks like just a matter of time before he becomes a regular for Manchester United.
Timothy Fosu Mensah (18) – Defensive Midfielder/Centre back/Full Back
Primarily a centre-back, but also capable of playing as a full-back or defensive midfielder, Timothy Fosu-Mensah is considered by many to be the most talented academy graduate at Carrington. His versatility, strength and speed means he is equally adept at central midfield or defence and his versatility might see him get fast tracked to the senior team and establish himself under Jose Mourinho.
SK will be continuing this series, and will profile 3 prodigious academy talents from top clubs across rest of Europe in the next article.
