They are here for now but in a few years time, they will be where no one may have ever reached. We're talking about the young sensations and prodigies, who will make up the star cast or as well-known, "The Galacticos" of tomorrow. Here I give the list of top 10 young-stars who are more than important to their clubs and countries as well. They get a chance when a Senior player is injured or suspended but don't leave any chance for the critics to fire on them.
10) ALEX SONG(ARSENAL)
COUNTRY: CAMEROON
AGE: 22
POSITION: MIDFIELDER
There was a French who made the key to Arsenal's rear-midfield and since he left in 2005, it has been cumbersome for Arsene Wenger to find a replacement for Patrick Vieira. But come to the late times and things have changed with the emanation of Alex Song. It was the African Cup of Nations in 2008 from where he came into the limelight, playing an important role in the Semi-Final victory over Ghana where he was awarded the Man-of-the-Match too. He joined The Gunners on loan from Ligue 2 side SC Bastia in 2005, then moving permanantly in the summer window of 2006 for a reported fees of £1m.
9) IGOR AKINFEEV(CSKA MOSCOW)
COUNTRY: RUSSIA
AGE: 23
POSITION: GOALKEEPER
From the producers of great 'keepers like Lev Yashin, Rinat Dasaev and Alexei Khomich, comes another shot-stopper, "Igor Akinfeev". Every other guy growing up in the world wants to be a striker or a midfielder and wants to score goals. But, in Russia they all want to be a goal-keeper. Igor, the youngest player to represent Russia at 18 and a first-team goalie for CSKA since he was 17 and a 'keeper with great positioning and alertness makes him the current most-wanted by big European clubs including Manchester United and Chelsea. He was dropped out of his squads in 2007 owing to a knee-injury for four months which obstructed his development but has been Guus Hiddink's first choice goal-keeper since then for Russia.
8) DAVIDE SANTON (INTERNAZIONALE)
COUNTRY: ITALY
AGE: 19
POSITION: DEFENDER
"A predestined that reminds me of a young Paolo Maldini", said Italy coach Marcelo Lippi defining the 19 year old Davide Santon who has also been a part of a praise-worthy InterMilan squad. He joined the Nerazzurri in 2005 but made his debut straight in 2009 against Roma in the Coppa Italia claiming a 1-0 win. Seeing his might on the back of the field, Mourinho placed him in the Champions' League home draw against Manchester United in 2009 straight against C. Ronaldo where Inter managed to stop The English side from scoring any goals. After an astonishing performance in a friendly against Northern Ireland, Marcelo Lippi quickly chose him for the line-up at the FIFA Confederations' Cup but a knee-injury blocked the 19-year-old from playing.
7) PEDRO RODRIGUEZ (BARCELONA)
COUNTRY: SPAIN
AGE: 22
POSITION: FORWARD
"Fire from the within". Barcelona can rightly boast about this phrase as they're experts in manufacturing players from within their academy. From the great Leo Messi to Xavi to Iniesta, we have Pedro. A forward who might not be as mighty as Messi at his age, but surely will make up one of the players with the best techinical ability in a few years time. He has scored 15 goals in the 47 appearances he's made for the European Champions and has made more of his impression by scoring great goals against Ukrainian sides Shakhtar Donetsk in the Super-Cup final and Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions' League group stage this year.
6) MIRALEM PJANIC (LYON)
COUNTRY: BOSNIA
AGE: 19
POSITION: MIDFIELDER
A legend's a legend and so is his jersey. The great Juninho Perambucano only left his number 8 jersey for another dead-ball specialist to take it over. Comes in Miralem Pjanic, the youngster who's already making marks on the dead-ball record sheet at just a juvenile age of 19. He's already scored 7 goals for the French side and assisted 7 as well. While he played for Metz, he represented Luxembourg at the U-17 level but now plays for his birth-land Bosnia at the international level. In 2008, despite receiving offers from European top-flights such as Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Pjanic opted for Lyon considering the playing time he would get at this club.
5) MARIO BALOTELLI (INTERNAZIONALE)
COUNTRY: ITALY
AGE: 19
POSITION: STRIKER
Another 19 year old from the Inter side in this list and you must be aware of InterMilan's future potential. Super Mario as he is nick-named by fellow team-mates, made through his first starting 11 against Reggina in a Coppa Italia and ended up scoring a brace in what Inter won 4-1. Further, scored two goals yet again against Juventus in a Coppa Italia quarter final and this, gained him a national attention. All this at an age of 17, and we couldn't ask for more. The only thing that checks this young star's pitch-time is his discipline. But the 24 goals and 11 assists he's added to the Nerazzurri record-books cancel the ill-records of the young Italian.
4) DANIEL STURRIDGE (CHELSEA)
COUNTRY: ENGLAND
AGE: 20
POSITION: STRIKER
From Aston Villa, he rose to Manchester City and to the current league leaders Chelsea. Daniel Sturridge had no more he could prove at the age of 20. In the 2007-08 season, Sturridge became the only player ever to score in an FA Youth Cup, FA Cup and The Premier League in the same season. He has been a bit unfortunate with the time spent on the pitch but has been used as an impact substitute at Manchester City. In 2003, he was the leading scorer in the Nike Cup which is the largest U-15 tournament in the world at club level. He recently scored his 3rd goal for Chelsea in a tremondous way against Preston North End in a FA Cup tie and proved himself to his Italian boss.
3) JONNY EVANS (MANCHESTER UNITED)
COUNTRY: NORTHERN IRELAND
AGE: 22
POSITION: DEFENDER
Manchester United who're believed to have the world's strongest defense are only made up of mighty defenders like Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and last but not the least Jonny Evans. Evans has been a UCL regular for United for quite a time now. Owing to the injuries of his Senior players Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic for a considerable time, Evans' doors to make his mark on United's defense were opened. He came into the limelight after the match he played for Sunderland at Cardiff under the harsh storm. He stood to ground, implacable and imperturbable to any attacker and calmly collected the ball and left it where it should have been. He has also been a regular for Northern Ireland, a feat for himself at the age of 21. He played an important role in the team that defeated Poland in the FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifier.
2) STEVAN JOVETIC (FIORENTINA)
COUNTRY: MONTENEGRO
AGE: 20
POSITION: FORWARD
"Who's this hairy 18 year old from Montenegro?" This must have been a question from most of the Fiorentina fans. But, as for now, his grin rocks the fans as much as his footwork does. Season 2009-10 must have been a dream come true for this young lad where he scored a decisive Champions' League goal against Sporting Lisbon bringing the result to a 1-1 draw and he also scored both the goals in the match where Liverpool were humiliated 2-0. He scored his first hat-trick at the age of 17 when he played for Partizan in a UEFA Cup qualifier which his side won 5-0. He had then been sought after by European biggies such as Real Madrid and Manchester United. In March 2007, he consisted of the squad that made the found the Montenegro national team.
1) ALEXANDRE PATO (AC MILAN)
COUNTRY: BRAZIL
AGE: 20
POSITION: STRIKER
And here we are, Number 7, oops! Number 1! Alexandre Pato, nicknamed as The Duck by his team mates at Milan. He's been quite lucky to see his international companions at Milan which include his ex-teammate Kaka, Ronaldinho, Dida and Thiago Silva. But, he must be the only probable reason, the Italian outfit would have let Kaka leave San Siro for the Bernabeu. To his might, he scored two goals against Real Madrid this year in a Champions' League group stage match in Spain to take his side to a 3-2 win. He has been linked with quite a few European top-flights such as Manchester United, Chelsea, etc. But, he says he's committed to Milan and what we can see out of him in the coming years can be more than miraculous. In 2008, he broke Pele's record after scoring on his international debut only seconds after entering the pitch. This young prodigy could give out more than what anyone would expect. Only to add to it season 2008-09 would have been an individual satisfaction for the Brazilian wonder-lad as he finished the league as the top goal-scorer for Milan.
Other notable players this list could've included are: Aleksandr Ryazantsev(Rubin Kazan), Jack Wilshere(Arsenal), Bojan Krkic(Barcelona) and Rafael DaSilva(Manchester United)
-PRANAV MUKUL
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