Ranking the top 50 wonderkids in football (20-11)

Hello and welcome to the next instalment in the wonderkids series. Hold on to your seats, guys! The race for the throne of the best youngster has just heated up to another level. Soon enough, we will be uncovering the most promising gem expected to make it big in the future.

For now, let's have a look at these ten players who have earned ranks from 11 to 20.

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#20 Dan Axel Zagadou

Age: 18

Club: Borussia Dortmund

Position: Centre-back, Left-back

Nationality: French

French defender Dan Axel Zagadou is busy establishing himself as a first-team regular at Borussia Dortmund. He started off as a Paris Saint-Germain youngster in 2016 before making the switch to Germany in 2017. The Frenchman is yet to make his national team debut, but if he carries on like he has done so far, he might soon get a call-up.

Zagadou is a dynamic presence in Dortmund's defence line. The 6ft 5in defender is a threat on set-pieces for the opposition. He is good at winning balls in the air and has fine dribbling skills. He mostly plays as a left-back for the German outfit, although he can also function as a centre-back.

He is likely to see a lot of first-team football if he remains at Borussia Dortmund. And if he maintains consistency, there's no doubt Dan Axel Zagadou will be one of the best wing-backs in the world in future.

#19 Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi made Real Madrid debut at just 18 years of age

Age: 19

Club: Real Madrid

Position: Right-back

Nationality: Moroccan

Spanish-born Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi made his Real Madrid debut in a 3-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. The 19-year-old progressed through the youth ranks at the Bernabeu before making it into the first team under Zinedine Zidane.

The young starlet was promoted to the first team as a backup for Dani Carvajal. Being a good reader of the game, he is seen making frequent interceptions and tackles in matches. He is also at ease while going forward to support the attack, which proves to be an incentive for counter-attacks.

With ample room for improvement, Hakimi promises to be a crucial player for the Los Blancos in future. Under the tutelage of Zidane, he will certainly become a player to admire in the years to come.

#18 Mile Svilar

Mile Svilar is destined to become a great goalkeeper in the future

Age: 18

Club: Benfica

Position: Goalkeeper

Nationality: Belgian

Mile Svilar recently came into the spotlight after breaking Iker Casillas' record for being the youngest ever Champions League shot-stopper. Although his error resulted in Benfica losing the tie, the custodian gave a good account of himself in the game.

Svilar started his career as a footballer in October 2017 with Benfica. On the international stage, he represents Belgium's U19 squad.

Svilar has superb reflexes to show off. Also, the youngster is a good distributor of the ball and has shown great anticipation during penalties. The most striking ability of the young shot-stopper is the bravery and the intent he shows in corners and one-vs-one situations.

#17 Matt De Ligt

De Ligt has been touted as one of the best rising defenders in Europe

Age: 18

Club: Ajax

Position: Centre-back

Nationality: Netherlands

Matthijs De Ligt is an Ajax novice, having played for them since the age of nine. One of the hottest talents playing in the Dutch Eredivisie, the 18-year-old made his professional debut in September last year.

He made his senior international debut in March 2017, despite having only 2 league games under his belt.

The Dutchman often comes out on top during the aerial duels and his 6ft 2in frame means he is a threat in set-piece situations. De Ligt is also a sturdy tackler and can pass the ball well from the back. His performances have caused a stir in the game, with FC Barcelona looking to poach the young starlet in the coming winter.

No doubt a move to the Nou Camp would up the ante for De Ligt. However, will Ajax agree on continuing to lose their star performers to other clubs?

#16 Marc Cucurella

Marc Cucurella is one of La Masia's brightest prospects

Age: 19

Club: Barcelona

Position: Left-back

Nationality: Spanish

Barcelona B defender Marc Cucurella made his debut for the first team in September 2017. On the international scene, he plays in the Spain U20 squad.

Having a stark resemblance to Carles Puyol due to his shoulder-length hair, Cucurella is deployed mainly as a left-back in contrast to the Barca legend.

He has received praise for his immense work-rate on the pitch. He is also known for his acceleration down the channel while supporting attacks. The 19-year-old has a good eye for long passes and boasts great composure on the ball. Also, Cucurella is known for reading the game well and making crucial interceptions while playing at the back.

#15 Angel Gomes

Angel Gomes

Age: 17

Club: Manchester United

Position: Attacking midfielder

Nationality: English

Another prolific Manchester United teenager destined to make it big in the beautiful game. Angel Gomes made his senior team debut aged only 16, becoming the first player born in the 2000s to play in the Premier League.

On the international stage, the young starlet has sent ripples throughout the football world after producing wonderful performances in England's U-17 World Cup-winning campaign.

Despite his tender age, Angel Gomes has drawn comparisons with former greats Ronaldinho and Paul Scholes for his vision and ability to control the tempo of the game. Active as an attacking midfielder, the Englishman also has good dribbling skills.

The 17-year-old has been a top target for Barcelona in the recent days. With his future at Old Trafford yet to be resolved, United will certainly go to any lengths in safeguarding their gem from the prying eyes of the Catalans.

#14 Vinicius Junior

Real Madrid have reached an agreement to sign Vinicius Junior on his eighteenth birthday

Age: 17

Club: Flamengo

Position: Attacking midfielder

Nationality: Brazilian

Spanish champions Real Madrid were quick on their heels as they signed a pre-contract with Flamengo to acquire Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian wonderkid is just a year short of being eligible for an international transfer.

The 17-year-old's has a 12-year long association with the Brazilian outfit. Developing through the youth ranks at the club, he made his professional debut in May 2017.

Junior has been touted to be the next Selecao whizz-kid to make it big in football. Dribbling and crossing are the hallmarks of his style of play. He is capable of playing as an attacking midfielder on either of the flanks.Whenever he drifts wide, Vinicius Junior can aptly cut inside and create danger for the opposition.

A serious legend in the making at Flamengo. Watch out for him!

#13 Ben Woodburn

Ben Woodburn has been touted as the next big thing after Gareth Bale

Age: 18

Club: Liverpool

Position: Forward

Nationality: Welsh

Britain has been producing some exciting raw talents in the recent years and Ben Woodburn is one of them. The 18-year-old is a versatile forward capable of playing anywhere on the front line. He joined Liverpool as a U7 player and made his senior-team debut for the club in November 2016.

On the international level, Woodburn made a dream debut with a 25-yard strike for Wales in September 2017 against Austria.

In doing so, the young starlet became Liverpool's third youngest player to appear in the Premier League. Three days later, Woodburn scored against Leeds United in EFL Cup quarter-finals, thereby becoming the youngest goalscorer for the Merseysiders.

The Welshman has been likened to Gareth Bale, thanks to his pace and dribbling abilities. He recently put pen to paper on a five-year contract at Anfield. With Liverpool struggling to compete for major titles, could the youngster be the required catalyst to reinstate them in the higher echelons of football? We have to wait and watch.

#12 Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho signed for Borussia Dortmund after quitting Manchester City

Age: 17

Club: Borussia Dortmund

Position: Forward

Nationality: English

English players do not guarantee much success when they play outside the Premier League. But, Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho is intent on proving it wrong.

Sancho joined the German outfit after quitting Manchester City due to lack of playing time. He made his Dortmund debut in October 2017.

Though he was withdrawn by Dortmund in the middle of the Fifa U17 World Cup, Sancho was one of the stand-out performers for his country in the group stages. He won the UEFA European Under-17 Championship Golden Player award in May.

Sancho follows the tradition of inverted wingers, marauding on the left wing albeit being a right-footed player. He has been endowed with top-notch dribbling skills that allow him to beat defenders easily. The 17-year-old likes cutting inside and creating chances rather than going for a usual cross.

England have had unsatisfying years for a long time. But, Sancho and other youngsters represent a glimmering hope of bringing a golden age for their nation in the sport.

#11 Timothy Fosu-Mensah

Timothy Fosu Mensah has been tipped to safeguard United's future in defence

Age: 19

Club: Crystal Palace (on loan from Manchester United)

Position: Right-back, Centre-back

Nationality: Netherlands

Currently on loan at Crystal Palace, the defender started his senior career with the Red Devils in 2016 after playing in their reserves squad for two years.

The 6ft 3in defender is a tough tackler and a good interceptor at the back. Deployed mainly as a right-back, Fosu-Mensah can also play as a centre-back when needed, owing to his tall frame and game-reading ability. He also has a knack for dribbling when it comes to supporting the attacking lines.

Manchester United is one of the best places for young talents to develop, and the Dutchman is in the right place at the right time. In the coming years, United can certainly expect 'Timbo' to become a formidable asset for them at the back line.