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Almost every top club in Europe has players who could be termed as "The Future Ballon Dor winners". While there is no substitute for experience, having young blood in the team is a must as the youngsters bring in much needed energy and are highly important for the future of the club. This is evident from the fact that top clubs like PSG and Barcelona have shelled out an insane amount of money on players like Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe.
Players under the age of 23 have become a vital cog in their teams and are crucial to the club's current and future success.
Here we present the Top U-23 XI in World Football:
GOALKEEPER: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Between the posts is the 19 year old Italian prodigy Gianluigi Donnarumma. The AC Milan shot stopper has quickly established himself as the #1 for his club and is the worthy successor in the Italian goal to his namesake Gianluigi Buffon.
The youngster, who made his first ever start in Serie A at the tender age of 16 already has a number of records to his name, most notably being " The youngest player to play for the Italian National Team". And the 19 year old will have a major role to play if Italy are to reach the pinnacle of World Football once again, having missed out on World Cup 2018 qualification.
While continued speculation regarding his AC Milan future has clouded the fact that Donnarumma is a fantastic goalkeeper, there is no doubt about the fact that he has a bright future in front of him and any club in Europe would pounce on the opportunity to sign the 6' 4" tall goalkeeper.
Full Backs :
Right Back : Hector Bellerin
The Arsenal man had a topsy turvy last season, but still finds place in this eleven because of the sheer quality he has, and the impact he can create at both ends of the pitch. Only 23, the Spaniard is the undisputed first choice right back for the Gunners and would be looking to start a new chapter under new boss Unai Emery.
While 22 year old Benjamin Pavard had a fantastic World Cup for France, and Joshua Kimmich has been doing great for Bayern Munich,
it was hard to look past Bellerin who has been a dependable player for Arsene Wenger for the last 2-3 seasons. Blessed with terrifying pace, the Barcelona youth product also has a cool head on his shoulders, which is a rare sight among young players. He naturally has a few rough edges which need polishing, but the Spaniard has the time under his belt and has all the traits to be a Gunners and Spanish legend.
Left Back: Lucas Hernandez
Football fans who followed the World Cup closely would know how crucial Lucas Hernandez was for the French National Team as they went on to win the Cup. The Atletico Madrid man was one of the unsung heroes of the French team, hardly putting a foot wrong throughout the tournament and creating an impact on both ends of the pitch. Such has been the maturity shown by Hernandez in his short career that it is difficult to believe he's only 22 years of age.
With age at his side, the Frenchman would be looking to take his level a notch higher and would be hungry to taste further success with both Atletico Madrid and the France National Team.
Centre Backs :
#1: Jose Gimenez :
Who would believe that this man is just 23 years of age. Keeping Cristiano Ronaldo quiet isn't a mean feat, and to keep him quiet everytime Gimenez has played alongside his club and country teammate Diego Godin is simply sensational.
The Atletico Madrid man is considered as one of the best defenders in the world in his age group, and while a lot of credit should go to Godin for being a solid support beside him, Gimenez is by no means an ordinary defender himself. He had a fantastic World Cup 2018, playing a vital role in knocking Portugal out, and has formed arguably the best Centre Back partnership in the world alongside his compatriot Diego Godin for Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid side. The youngster has all the traits to become the best defender in the world in the future and Los Rojiblancos understandably tied him to a new contract with clubs like Manchester United lurking.
#2 Niklas Sule:
The German has established himself as a first team starter for Bayern Munich, having benefited from Jerome Boateng's long term injury and looks like a real prospect for the German giants. An imposing figure at 6'5", the former Hoffenheim man is a no nonsense defender and has a cool head on his shoulders. He was also a part of Germany's World Cup squad.
Sule is bound to be in the shadow of defensive mainstays Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels, who have been imperious for both Bayern Munich and Germany and have also lifted the World Cup as Germany's CB pairing. But if Sule can come out of their shadows and make a name for himself, he would be a real asset for new Bayern boss Niko Kovac and German boss Joachim Lowe as he has all the ingredients to be the perfect Centre Back for club and country.
Midfielders :
CM: Naby Keita
The Guinean's arrival has been much anticipated by the Anfield faithful and his performances for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga prove that they have every reason to be excited. The 23 year old midfielder looks tailor-made for the Premier League, strong in the tackle and has an eye for goal.
While his disciplinary record is a source of concern, four red cards in the last season, his talent cannot be questioned and he would add much needed bite to Liverpool's midfield. If he can keep a cool head for majority of the season and can produce his best form, then Liverpool are sure to be genuine title contenders this season.
CM: Saul Niguez
The 23 year old Spaniard has quickly established himself as one of the first names on Diego Simeone's teamsheet and has been a consistent performer for Los Rojiblancos. An U-21 Euro Cup runner-up with Spain, where he scored a stunning hattrick in the semifinal, the Atletico man was also a part of Spain's 2018 WC Squad, where they crashed out in the Round of 16.
A strong midfielder, who is good with and without the ball, Saul is also known to score long-range goals and has a good goalscoring record for a midfielder. Clubs like Barcelona and Manchester United have been previously linked with the midfielder, but Atletico would be desperate to keep hold of the Spaniard they consider as one of their prized possessions.
CAM: Dele Alli
It isn't a mean feat to be one of the most important players for your club and country, that too at the age of 22, but Dele Alli is just that. The Englishman is the perfect #10, with good dribbling skills, great passing, good vision and a goal scoring appetite. Dele is a vital cog in Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham side and has struck up a good partnership with fellow Englishman Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen.
Just like Naby Keita, Alli does have an erratic side to his game, and has often been accused by rival players and football pundits of diving and play acting. But even the harshest of critics would never deny that the Spurs midfielder is a special player and has the potential to be an absolute top class player. An absolute no brainer in this side.
Forwards:
RW : Ousmane Dembele
If Barcelona shell out 105 million euros plus add ons on a 20 year old player, you would quite easily guess that the player is special. And while Ousmane Dembele has had his share of problems, both with injuries and form last season, he would be looking to set the world alight come the 2018-19 season
Now a World Cup winner with France, where he played a bit part role, Dembele has seemingly struggled to adapt to the playing style of Barca, but looked sharp in his last few appearences in La Liga, which would have boosted his confidence for sure. Blessed with great pace and sublime dribbling skills, the former Dortmund starlet has everything it needs to be a world class footballer. Just too much potential to be left out of this eleven !
LW: Marco Asensio
The future of Real Madrid and Spain, the Spanish sensation earned the highest of praises from his former manager and Real Madrid icon Zinedine Zidane, who said he had the Sweetest Left Foot in football after Lionel Messi. Only 22, Asensio is already a 2 time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, and was also a part of Spain's 2018 WC squad.
Asensio did not have the greatest of seasons on a personal front last time around, where he was used in a bit part role by Zidane, but he would be looking to play a much more vital role this time around after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Top player and a no brainer in this side. Watch out for that stunning left foot in the coming season.
CF: Kylian Mbappe
Surprised to see him included in this lineup? Not really I'd guess. The best young player in the world by a fair distance, we're falling short of superlatives for this incredible talent . Golden Boy Winner, Two Time Ligue 1 winner, World Cup Winner, Best Young Player in the World Cup and what not? And that too at the age of 19.
Kylian Mbappe played a vital role in France's World Cup winning campaign and was a menace for defenders throughout the tournament( Ask Argentina's defenders). The PSG man's strength, pace and dribbling skills were just too good to handle for teams in the World Cup. He also scored in the World Cup Final, equalling Pele's record as the youngest player to have scored in a World Cup Final. Real Madrid have been keeping tabs on the former Monaco forward, but it seems highly unlikely that PSG would let go of Mbappe as they consider him crucial for their future. The easiest pick in this eleven.
Notable Omissions: Joshua Kimmich, Benjamin Pavard, Presnel Kimpembe, Gabriel Jesus, Leon Goretzka, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Pulisic, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial,Leroy Sane,Raheem Sterling
