Youngsters have been making their mark in the Champions League this season
So far, 28 teenagers have played in the Champions League this season. Some of them are looking pretty good, and we thought it apt to list the ten most exciting to keep a close on.
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10) Saul Niguez – Atletico Madrid, 19
Niguez is highly rated at Atletico, and has the ability to play at either centre-back or in defensive midfield. Expect to see him make a big impact over the next few years in La Liga.
9) Max Meyer – Schalke, 19
A youngster who has already been compared to Mario Gotze and Lionel Messi, Meyer can play both as an out and out striker, or in the no. 10 role. He has already played 58 times for Schalke, scoring 8 goals.
8) Ruben Neves – Porto, 17
One of the youngest players on this list, the central midfielder has only made one appearance in the Champions League so far. Liverpool have recently shown an interest in the Porto whizzkid, according to the Mirror.
7) Calum Chambers – Arsenal, 19
Since his £16m move, the young centre-back has made a promising start to his Arsenal career. The pressure of the price tag doesn’t seem to have got to him, and he now has the opportunity to kick on and cement a place in the first-team with Laurent Koscielny’s injury clearing the way for him.
6) Sergi Samper – Barcelona, 19
Samper has already been compared to Sergio Busquets, and looks like he could be a fixture in Barcelona’s midfield once he gets past the current incumbents. Thats if it’s possible to get past both Javier Mascherano and the world-class Spaniard…
5) Youri Tielemans – Anderlecht, 17
At Anderlecht there are none of the problems that Sandro is facing at Barcelona. Having played the full 90 minutes in both of Anderlecht’s games so far, the cultured central midfielder will be attracting the interest of Europe’s big clubs in the near future.
4) Munir El Haddadi – Barcelona, 19
Munir made a lightning start to his Barca career, scoring on debut against Elche. He has even already played for Spain, although that may have been to make sure that he wouldn’t play for his parents’ home country of Morocco. Even so, he has a bright future ahead of him.
3) Kurt Zouma – Chelsea, 19
The big Frenchman signed for Chelsea last January, but was immediately loaned back to his original club of Saint-Etienne. However since the summer he has been in the Chelsea squad and impressing when called upon in the first team. Watch out for his introduction as John Terry gets older.
2) Raheem Sterling – Liverpool, 19
The apparent future of England, Sterling has been key to Liverpool’s fortunes this season. Already a star in England, he can play on the wing or in the middle, and his direct running makes him a threat against any team. Real Madrid have already been forced to deny that they’re interested in him, according to the Daily Mail.
1) Sandro Ramirez – Barcelona, 19
Top of this list and with three goals already in just seven appearances for Barca, Sandro could be the real deal. As long as he isn’t held back by playing at the same club as Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez, he could be yet another gem to come through La Masia.