As this summers World Cup draws closer to our screens this summer, much eyes have been cast on which players will light up this summers tournament in Russia. We can already pick out who the superstars will be and how they will fare, but how about the younger generation?
Here I pick out some of the current crop of youngsters outside the Premier League who will be looking to make their mark on the grandest stage of them all:
Marco Asensio, (Spain)
We already know the talent Spain boast at their disposal and its no wonder why national team coach Julen Lopetegui will be having headaches and sleepless nights leading up to the opening game against Portugal on who should make the first XI. Players such as Diego Costa, David Silva, Isco, Rodrigo, Iniesta, Koke, Thiago are some of those superstars but one man who is not far from reaching stardom is Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio.
What a player. If you’ve watched Real Madrid over the past couple of seasons including last, you’d realize that Asensio has been just as vital as Cristiano Ronaldo in the Real Madrid side – as crazy as that sounds. His bravery in possession, his dribbling, vision, pace, skill, and technical nous, this kid has got everything in his locker. He may not have got the game time he will have wanted this past season at the Bernabeu but no doubt about it, Marco Asensio is not only Real Madrid’s future but Spain too.
Timo Werner, (Germany)
Timo Werner may be unheard of right now, but if you haven’t noticed this talent already then you do not know German football. Germany national coach Joachim Löw has been rightfully been reliant on Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez in the past, strikers who have led the nation to glory but now Germany can gleefully look to the future with Timo Werner leading the line. 8 international goals for his country in only 14 appearances should not be taken lightly. Also 21 goals in the German Bundesliga last season is another massive achievement after his feats the previous season matching the current tally. Werner also finished top scorer at the 2017 confederations cup with 3 goals and two assists.
Pace, trickery, composure in front of goal. Do not rule Werner out for the golden boot this summer in Russia.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, (Serbia)
It’s incredible that former Serbia coach Slavoljub Muslin decided to ignore the towering Lazio midfielder during the World Cup qualification – and that ultimately led to his controversial dismissal. Now new coach Mladen Krstajic has taken affection from SMS – as he is known – the Lazio midfielder will be one of the rising stars at this summers tournament. It’s no wonder Milinkovic-Savic has garnered much interest already this summer from the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona. 11 league goals from midfield in Serie A last season was outstanding, not only that but his all round play – physically strong, imposing in the air, he is also elegant in possession setting the tempo and dictating it also. His price will go immensely higher once this summer is over.
Any success Serbia enjoy in Russia, SMS will be their saving grace – the nickname says it all.
Youri Tielemans, (Belgium)
Tielemans might go under the radar behind Belgium’s big names this summer with only 4 appearances made during qualifying but that has not stopped a variety of scouts analyzing his performance. Joining Monaco from Anderlecht last summer feels like the right move for Tielemans and with the departure of Fabinho to Liverpool, it is now time for Tielemans to make his mark next season for Monaco and a good performance in Russia when given the opportunity may just put him in Leonardo Jardim’s thoughts for a permanent starting berth next season.
Blessed with great passing range, vision and technical skills, Kevin De Bruyne, Lukaku, Hazard and co are not the only ones to watch out for in Belgium’s talent infested squad.
Lucas Torreira, (Uruguay)
Uruguay may have found themselves a diamond in midfield, no I don’t mean the formation I mean Sampdoria’s little terrier Lucas Torreira. He may stand at 5ft 6ins tall but he is a big presence in midfield. The 22-year-old has only missed two league games in two years since joining Sampdoria and his impressive and dominant performances in the Serie A have attracted much interest from Arsenal with talks already taken place for Torreira’s services, according to Sky Sources.
Giovanni Lo Celso, (Argentina)
Could Lo Celso be the future of Argentinian football? The 22-year-old made an astonishing 47 appearances for PSG last season. The fact he is in the starting 11 week in week out considering the amount of superstars in the PSG squad says a whole lot about his quality. Much debate has arisen regarding the quality in Argentina’s midfield becoming an ongoing issue and the reason they struggle to impress despite their star studded squad. However, with upcoming stars such as Lo Celso, Argentina will not be relying on the old guard of Lucas Biglia and Mascherano for much longer.
Lo Celso is a star in the making.
Hirving Lozano, (Mexico)
19 goals and 11 assists in his first season in Europe for Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven proves the promise he showed at his Pachuca was no slouch. Hirving Lozano is brilliant to watch, fierce when the ball is at his feet, lightning quick and an impressive eye for goal despite his tender age. 19 for the season for a player still gradually improving has shown his rise to stardom is just around the corner.
Named one of FIFA’s young stars of stars of 2017, the 22-year-old has notched seven strikes in 27 caps for his country. Already Premier League clubs are circulating for his signature, and an impressive showing at this summers tournament might just get him his deserved move.
Julian Brandt, (Germany)
The fact that Julian Brandt was included in the Germany squad instead of Manchester City’s Leroy Sane – who enjoyed a remarkable season in the Premier League – tells you all you need to know about Julian Brandt’s quality and how highly Germany coach Joachim Low rates him. Brandt scored 12 goals and laid on seven assists for Bayer Leverkusen last season.
Presnel Kimbempe, (France)
Kimbempe like Lo Celso has had an incredible journey. The defender made his senior debut in 2014 but only became a full regular in the PSG side last season, amongst the world class talents of Thiago Silva and Marquinhos, Kimbempe has enjoyed a steady rise to the top, starting 27 games last season even surprisingly chosen ahead of captain Thiago Silva for the Last 16 second leg tie against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
While this World Cup might come too soon for Kimbempe, he sure looks to have a bright future.
Piotr Zielinski, (Poland)
Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski has drawn comparisons to Kevin De Bruyne from Poland’s head of football federation, he goes on to even controversially say that he probably has more quality than the Belgian. Believe of it what you want, Zielinski is a mightily impressive performer. Energetic, quick across the park, a domineering presence in midfield and the eye for a cutting-edge pass, no wonder Napoli were such a joy to watch in Serie A last season. Zielinski will be a very key figure for Poland in Russia.
Kasper Dolberg, (Denmark)
After an impressive breakout season for Ajax in 2016/17 as they reached the Europa League final – beaten by Manchester United – Kasper Dolberg has endured a rather frustrating year at the club blighted by injuries. However, the 20-year-old striker could still a make a massive impact with Nicklas Bendtner ruled out of action. Can Dolberg take his chance this summer?
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