In this series, we will look at the promising stars of tomorrow. The series kick starts off with players born in 2003. These young players around the world we hope will see grace the world’s top stadiums, rule world cups, and entertain our screens in the next decade. So let’s dig into the 18@18: 18 of the best soccer players born in 2003 to watch for in 2021.
#18 Prince Kwabena Adu
Born: Born September 23, 2003
Citizenship: Ghana
Club: Bechem United FC, Ghana.
Position: Striker
International Youth Allegiance: Ghana
International Senior Allegiance: Ghana
Prince Kwabena kicks off our list of talented youngsters born in 2003. The young Ghanaian models his playing style from that of Uruguayan Luis Suarez. Prince Adu plays as a striker in the Ghana Premier League for club Bechem United FC.
His lofty target of 25 goals in the season shows his dedication and aspiration to reach the very top. A very intelligent mobile and Powerful striker, Adu has a dangerous explosive pace and carries the ball well, having the agility of a player with a lesser body BMI.
A little sneak peeks into the future of Prince Kwabena saw a debut season of 8 goals from the first 12 games, before Coronavirus halted the season. Playing against defenders twice his age and far more experienced he became one of the best players since the 2019/20 GPL started.
Ghana Call Up
That performance in the top league in Ghana earned him a late call-up to the Ghana senior squad, The Black Stars. Before his senior call up was a regular member of the Ghana U20 Team, currently trying to qualify for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Prince Kwabena told the Ghana Guardian back in February 2020 that a move to Denmark was imminent and he was situating his Visa requirements, of course, Coronavirus hindered that prospect. It wasn’t made public which club had chased his signature. In May of 2020 Egyptian club, Zamalek had bid to sign him, but he would prefer their bitter rival Al Ahly.
With all the speculation I’m sure that it won’t be long until we see him either in Scandinavia or among Europe’s top leagues even if it’s via Egypt.
He was included in the Guardians Next Generation 2020.
Read More: 10 questions to ask your coach
#17 Bruno Gonçalves de Jesus
Born: March 14, 2003
Citizenship: Brazilian
Club: Red Bull Bragantino, Brazil
Position: Winger | Forward
International Youth Allegiance: Brazil
International Senior Allegiance: Brazil
Born in Brazil Height, Bruno Gonçalves de Jesus spent his youth career at his current club, Red Bull Bragantino. Red Bulls are based in Bragança Paulista, São Paulo.
Playing at the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, Bruno established himself as one of the most talented young players in Brazil, certainly the most important of the competition.
He has a blend of technical abilities with blazing speed was evident to see at the tournament, however, the goal he singles handily scored showed the world his talents. Bruno dribbled past five players before slotting the ball past Serra’s keeper.
His movement off the ball as a forward creates many opportunities for players around him or himself. It has been widely accepted if a player makes teammates better they are considered to be heading towards world-class status. His pace and dribbling ability at top speed leaves opposing players with difficult decisions to make. Those same attributes make him extremely dangerous during counterattacks.
Bruno’s humility shows through when he told the Guardian he would buy his mum a house, she is currently a housekeeper in São Paulo.
#16 Mohamed Sankoh
Born: October 16, 2003
Citizenship: Netherlands | Sierra Leone
Club: VfB Stuttgart, Germany
Position: Center Forward
International Youth Allegiance: Holland
International Senior Allegiance: Holland
Mohamed was born in Rijswijk, Netherlands. His performances at Stoke City youth academy caught the scouts at VfB Stuttgart attention. They then signed him on a five-year deal amid interest from other leading top clubs in Europe, Chelsea FC, and Atletico Madrid.
Mo is a very gifted attacking talent with real potential. We will work together to gradually introduce him to the senior team.
Thomas Krücken, Stuttgart academy manager
Playing in his home country as a youth player, he was a commanding 6’0″ solidly built forward. scoring in every game at the youth level at boyhood club Sparta Rotterdam, Stoke City took notice and acquired his services in 2018.
Stoke City
For the remainder of the year, he shone for Stoke City with 6 goals in 10 appearances for the clubs’ U18 team. Promoted to the U23 team in the 19/20 season to aid his development (as well as still playing some U18 Games) he added three goals along with three assists. A gifted talent, Stoke played Sankoh in the Premier League 2 eight times before Coronavirus culled the league.
Sankoh was the youngest player from the U17 UEFA European winning Oranje team.
He’s an exciting player, who has knuckled down and developed well with us.
Gareth Owen, Stoke City academy director
Many articles and pundits have likened him to the Belgium powerhouse Romelu Lukaku. A right-sided player with raw power, skill, and plenty of pace.
Read More: Tactical Analysis of the World Club Cup
#15 Federico Redondo
Born: January 18, 2003
Citizenship: Argentina
Club: Argentinos jrs, Argentina.
Position: Defensive Midfielder
International Youth Allegiance: Argentina
International Senior Allegiance: Argentina
Son of a Real Madrid former player known for the Nutmeg against Manchester United in the 2000 UEFA Champions League. Fernando Redondo racked up 225 games for Real Madrid.
I don’t feel pressure due to being a Redondo, it’s pride. My dad talks to me after matches and advises me on how I can improve
Federico Redondo
Federico has just been promoted (August 2020) to Argentine legend Maradona’s first club, Argentinos Juniors senior team. Emulating Maradona will see the young Redonda on a journey of soccer highest stages. He was called up to the Argentine U15 at 14.
His soccer idol is Argentine Riquelme, although he says that his game is more modeled on Fernando Gago of Boca Juniors.
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#14 Wahid Fajir
Born: July 29, 2003
Citizenship: Denmark | Afghanistan
Club: Vejle BK, Denmark
Position: Forward
International Youth Allegiance: Denmark
International Senior Allegiance: Denmark
Wahid, was born in Vejle to parents that emigrated from the Taliban in Afghanistan. Playing for Vejle BK he signed at 15 years old making his Superliga debut in September 2020.
There is a bit of ‘Zlatan‘ [Ibrahimović, red.] about him, because he performs with an indomitable self-confidence in practice and matches
Steen Thychosen, Vejle Head of Youth
A very unselfish player with an instinct for a goal. Faghir plays exceptionally well with back to goal, often holding up play for teammates to join the attack. But also as good with coordination to turn defenders and create chances.
Leicester City of the Premier League in 2020 had a $1,000,000 bid turned down Wolves and Ajax is also known to be interested. Maybe we will see him in the Premier League soon?
#13 Yusuf Demir
Born: June 2, 2003
Citizenship: Austrian
Club: Rapid Wien, Austria
Position: Attacking Midfield | Right Winger
International Youth Allegiance: Austria
International Senior Allegiance: Austria
Yusuf started his youth playing career at First Vienna as a seven-year-old, moving to Rapid Wien when he was ten.
Youth level play has seen the prodigy score 23 goals in 18 games when he signed a pro contract at the age of 14! Since then he played U15 level but after scoring eight goals in ten games he was quickly moved to the U17 age group. At that level his scoring continued, bagging a further five goals in nine games.
Born in Austria he is also an ethnic Turk, with family ties from the Trabzon region in Turkey. This allows him to represent both Austria and Turkey at the senior level.
The left-footer has recently attracted attention from many top European powerhouses. Manchester City, Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Leverkusen, and Roma!
His performances at the Mercedes Junior Cup in 2019 named him Player of the tournament.
Yussi is very creative, dribbling well, and has a great left foot. His technique and vision are outstanding. The way he plays he is reminiscent of Messi.
It is more likely [Next club] to be Germany. We’re already in contact with a few clubs. My phone rings every few days and a new potential team answers
Agent Emre Ozturk
Youngest Player
Youngest ever player at the Mercedes-Benz Junior cup (winning player of the tournament, twice), Youngest ever player for Rapid at 16 years and 196 days. After a knee injury and Coronavirus shutdowns, Yusuf has become a regular fixture to Dietmar Kuhbauers first-team squad. He has a couple of assists and 6 goals in just 25 senior games.
The future is bright for the Austrian Messi.
Read More: What is VO2 Max?
#12 ísak bergmann Jóhannesson
Born: March 23, 2003
Citizenship: Icelandic
Club: IFK Norrköping, Sweden
Position: Central Midfield | Right/Left Wing
International Youth Allegiance: Iceland
International Senior Allegiance: Iceland
Isak was born in Sutton Coldfield, England to a family firmly entrenched in the Soccer world.
Dad is Joey Gudjónsson, manager of ÍA Akranes and ex-player from English clubs such as Huddersfield, Burnley, Leicester, Wolves, and Aston Villa, as well as a host of clubs across Scandinavia and Europe in a 30-year career.
Manchester United is my favorite team, but Norrkoping is my dream club. I lived in Manchester when my dad played there [in England] and watched many matches.
ísak bergmann jóhannesson
Isak was born when his dad, Joey, was playing in the Premier League. His early development years were spent at the Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers academies. By fifteen Isak had trials at Brighton, Everton, and Ajax in Holland, but opted to play for his dad’s club ÍA Akranes.
His Grandfather, Gudjón Thórdarson, managed the Icelandic national team, as well as notable teams such as Crewe Alexandria, Stoke city, Notts County Barnsley.
It was known when I signed with Norrkoping at the age of 15 that it would take me time to earn a place in the main team. At that time, however, a clear step-by-step plan was set up on my way into the main team, and I liked those plans
ísak bergmann jóhannesson
Family Affair
In 2019 he and his cousin signed for IFK Norrköping. A club where his nephew is also managing the U19 team.
After making his debut, Isak started 25 of the 30 first-team games, including two games at left-back. That didn’t stop him from getting on the scoresheet though at a game against Helsingborg.
Preferring to play high wide in the club’s 4-3-3 system he relishes attacking the goal positively from wide areas.
Scouts in 2020 watched the 17-year-old after mature performances in the Swedish top league. Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus are among them.
I would say that everything is going according to plan and it does not surprise me to have played such a big role in the team. On the other hand, I am very satisfied with how much trust I get.
ísak bergmann jóhannesson
Bernabeu, Eithad Stadium, or the Allianz Stadium, Jóhannesson isn’t far from his next big step.
#11 Samuel Iling
Born: October 4, 2003
Citizenship: English
Club: Juventus, Italy
Position: Left Winger
International Youth Allegiance: England
International Senior Allegiance: England
As with a lot of English youth players, Samuel has joined the likes of Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham, and Noah Ohio and hoped to find a better pathway to senior team soccer.
Iling-Junior played in the Premier League U18’s as well as made three appearances in the UEFA Youth League. It comes as no surprise that young talents at Chelsea may look at the likes of high-value players, Pulisic, Ziyech, and Temo Werner, and reconsider their pathway to first-team football.
With his move to Juventus, can he emulate former English players David Platt and William Jordan before him? He will at least have Aaron Ramsey to help with language and culture.
Full of vast emotions, being at Chelsea from such a young age has truly built me, not only as the player I am today but also as a person. It’s been a blessed journey and I’m deeply thankful for all those in the academy
Samuel Iling-Junior
Read More: Eden Hazard Technical Analysis of Performance from Chelsea to Real Madrid
#10 Mateja Bačanin
Born: September 22, 2003
Citizenship: Serbian
Club: Red Star Belgrade, Serbia
Position: Midfield
International Youth Allegiance: Serbia
International Senior Allegiance: Serbia
Born in Smederevo, Bačanin could only dream of playing soccer at the level he does and being courted by top clubs from fifteen years old. He started locally at seven years old.
Mateja plays for Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) and has been nicknamed the Blond Messi. His soccer idols are former Sassuolo and Atalanta’s Richmond Boakye.
People that have witnessed his breathtaking speed and ball control have rather likened him to Ivan Perišić or Gareth Bale.
Dynamic
His technical ability on the ball with both feet makes for a dynamic midfielder. He does excel at approaching good positions in key attacking areas, especially from crosses.
Mateja prefers to drop towards the halfway line, through good vision and movement he sees a lot of the ball from that area providing dynamic attacks.
When taking up wider spaces he has devastatingly precise crossing abilities, when he’s more central he is confident in attempting long shots from medium to long distances.
Mature for his age, he doesn’t shrug responsibility on the ball under pressure. He looks comfortable with the ball and attacks on every feasible occasion.
#10 Jamal Musiala
Born: February 26, 2003
Citizenship: German, English, Nigerian
Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Attacking Midfield
Youth Allegiance: Eng. U15-21; Germany U16 International Senior Allegiance: Germany
Jamal was born in Stuttgart, Germany. His parents moved to England when he was seven. After moving to London (New Molden area) he spent most of his childhood development at the world-renown Chelsea Academy, after being spotted at Southampton academy.
At 15 and a few months, he played for the U18 Chelsea team. At just 13 years old he was playing for England U15’s National Team!
16 he left Chelsea to play for Bayern Munich, where he continued his rapid development scoring or assisting a goal every 105 minutes.
Making his professional debut in 2020 aged 17. In June of that year, he became the youngest ever player to play for Bayern in the Bundesliga at 17 years and 115 days. Later that year in September he then broke another record by scoring in the 8-0 thrashing of Schalke. He was aged 17 years and 205 days.
He just broke another record by being the youngest ever Bayern player to score in the UEFA Champions League win against Lazio
The boy is ice cold. If you talk to him before the game, he appears focused, calm and reserved.
Bayern reserve coach Sebastian Hoeneß
Representation Decision
At the international level, Musiala could play for Germany, England, and Nigeria. At the Youth level, he played for England’s youth national teams right up to U21. He had represented Germany twice at U16 level but felt more comfortable playing for England as he grew up with the English players at Chelsea.
That changed on February 24, 2021, when he indicated his allegiance to the German national team for full international matches.
Jamal has been likened to Dele Alli. He has stated that he prefers to play as a number ten however he is just as comfortable as a number 9. A right-footer with a solid left-foot shot.
The future talent must have been evident as he went to a school in London famous for its past soccer pupils. Callum Hudson-Odoi, Victor Moses of Nigeria, and Bertrand Traore (now of Aston Villa) used to attend.
#9 Takuhiro Nakai (中井 卓大)
Born: October 24, 2003
Citizenship: Japanese
Club: Real Madrid
Position: Attacking Midfield
International Youth Allegiance: Japan International Senior Allegiance: Japan
Pipi as he is known in Spain was born in Ōtsu, Shiga, Japan. Nakai began his youth playing career at the Japanese side Azul Shiga before being seen at a Real Madrid soccer camp in China. He was nine, his talent was immediately identified, and was invited to try out for the Galacticos.
Known for his skillful play-making, decision-making, and game intelligence the area identified for him to improve was his strength and physical build. He is now a player that stands out among his peers, gaining a chance to train with the first team in October of 2020.
Could this be more of a fast-tracking tactic by Zidane? I’m sure no one at the club would be surprised if he became a permanent fixture and a new Kubo?
Read More: Getting to know Nottingham Forest
#7 Darío Ariel Sarmiento
Born: March 29, 2003
Citizenship: Argentine
Club: Club Estudiantes De La Plata, Argentina
Position: Winger
International Youth Allegiance: Argentina
International Senior Allegiance: Argentina
Originally playing for Independiente at six years old, the travel for him and his family became too much. His family lived in Florencio Varela and Independiente’s training ground was in Avallaneda.
Luckily for Sarmiento, Rodrigo Fuentes saw the talent and convinceed Estudiantes to enrol Dario into the Pincha Academy. Estudiantes were eternally grateful for the find as Sarmiento made his first-team debut at 16 years, six months, and six days. He holds the title of the second-youngest player to ever represent the first team.
Before I did not give importance to school, but now I realise that it is useful and that in the future it will serve me well.
Darío Sarmiento
A left-footer with comparisons to the Argentine Nou Camp legend Messi. His confidence isn’t in doubt on the field. His double nutmeg at Deportivo Laferrere was remarkable, also his last as Coronavirus ravaged South America and brought football and life to a halt.
Now a lot of clubs look for this kind of player, who runs on the flank. It is so easy for him to dribble his marker – not something so easy to see these days. He is fast, agile, nice left foot, and great at dribbling, but he is still a project of a player.
Juan Sebastián Verón
Premier League Destined
With Manchester United legend Juan Sebastián Verón as the club president the Argentine is set for a great future. Manchester City shelled out €6 million to further develop his talent. He will stay in South America until he turns 18 years old. Likely to be loaned out in Europe to continue the development process. I don’t believe it will be too long until we will be watching him grace the star-studded Premier League Manchester City team.
#6 Moses Nyeman
Born: November 5, 2003
Citizenship: Liberia | USA
Club: DC United, USA
Position: Midfield
International Youth Allegiance: USA
International Senior Allegiance: None
DC United’s hiring of coach Losada has helped put more of a spotlight on the promoting of academy prospects. Moses Nyeman is benefitting from that approach. He is under the watchful eye of a younger coach who likens himself to the Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid, LaLiga) and Marcelo Bielsa’s (Leeds United, Premier League) of the coaching world.
When ownership and Dave Kasper looked to start Loudoun United, this was exactly what they had in mind, a true pathway for talented young players like Moses to make the jump from the academy to the professional level and hopefully into the first team down the road.
Ryan Martin, Loudoun Uniteds Head Coach
DC United
Two years after moving from Liberia, Moses was signed to DC United youth academy in 2015. Signing his homegrown contract a month before his 16th birthday. This made him the second-youngest player for DC United to sign behind earlier phenomenon Freddie Adu, who was 14 and a half when he signed.
Nyeman’s development with DC United sees him train and play with DC United’s USL brand Loudoun United, he has also trained with Borussia Dortmund. His four-year pathway to pro-development at DC United was 83 appearances with 10 goals from midfield.
Operating box to box and preferring to play as the advanced playmaker role he has scored and assisted in eight starts for Loudoun United.
His favorite players and role models are Andrés Iniesta and Manchester City FC standout Kevin De Bruyne.
Read More: Anchoring to Status Quo
#5 Harvey Elliott
Born: April 4, 2003
Citizenship: England
Club: Liverpool on loan to Blackburn Rovers
Position: Winger
International Youth Allegiance: England
International Senior Allegiance: England
This is a player I am truly excited about for the future, I have watched him at Fulham FC and seen his exciting rise to becoming a Liverpool player.
Starting out at Queens Park Rangers he was released at 13 years old, for being too small. There’s a good reference here as Fulham FC signed him at 15 ending his youth time with a tribunal fee of £1.5 million, plus £2.8 million in bonuses for his subsequent transfer to Liverpool.
A topic for another post about players being released too early could mean losing them in the system, forever.
Harvey has accomplished a lot in such a short career. After a record-breaking season with Fulham FC, during which he became the youngest player. Coming on as a sub against Wolves aged just 16 Years and 30 days old.
I’ll work as hard as I possibly can for the club and I feel Anfield is the perfect place for me to develop and progress as a player
Harvet Elliott
Liverpool
Making his Liverpool debut in September 2020 against MK Dons, he continues his development now on loan with Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
For such a young boy, Harvey has a wonderful personality, he’s a diamond of a football player and I can see why he made his debut at 15 at Fulham,
Tony Mowbray, Blackburn Rovers Head Coach
Since joining Blackburn Rovers on loan he has acquired plenty of admirers from the club. Described as a frightening talent with sound game understanding, knowledge of when to release the pass, and never seems to panic even in front of a goal by Stewert Downing.
Kevin Gallagher likens him to mimicking Mohammed Salah of Liverpool.
Grant Hanley, a defender for Norwich named Elliott as the toughest opponent he has faced in the Championship.
When he cuts in, he can see the simple pass, or he can also play risk passes, which I like about him. He is also not scared to track back and do the ugly stuff, helping out defensively.
Kevin Gallagher
At Blackburn Rovers, Tony Mowbray gives further light to why Harvey has excelled so quickly. Elliott wants to do extra training after regular training, every day. A day after a league game he is wanting to join the subs for a five-a-side game, he just wants to play and keep training.
He covers on average 12,500 Meters a game, with all the extra training on top of regular training, and is banging away absolute belters of goals!
Already has the Premier League, WorldClub Cup, and UEFA Super Cup to his name, and still yet to turn 18!
#4 Kluiverth Aguilar
Born: May 5, 2003
Citizenship: Peruvian
Club: Alianza Lima, Peru, Man. City at 18
Position: Right Defender
International Youth Allegiance: Peru
International Senior Allegiance: Peru
A recent purchase by Manchester City for $2.5 million (£1.8 million) is all you need to know about this youngster with a very famous name. He does have to wait until his eighteenth birthday before joining the club.
I’m sure he will be loaned out before making a first-team appearance for Pep. Looking at the present team, Cancelo and Walker will be hard to knock out of the team.
If you hadn’t already guessed Kluiverth is named after former Ajax, Milan, and Barcelona player, Patrick Kluivert the Dutch superstar. Although he tries to model his playing on the Brazilian icon, Dani Alves. But get this, His brothers are named Diego Armando [After Maradona] and his other brother Rijkaard [After Dutchand Milan’s star Franklin Edmundo Rijkaard]
I really like Dani Alves, I would like to be like him. He has technique and is very intelligent to play, he knows when to attack and when to defend. He can even play at No.10.
Kluiverth Aguilar
Cyborg, as he’s also nicknamed started making a stir in South American football at the 2019 South American Championships. He was considered the best full-back in that tournament.
Aguilar’s height, pace, technical ability, and tenacious approach in games are all attributes that have been exciting enough for Alianza to promote him to the first-team regular starter via the reserve team. Attacking-minded reight back who combines that pace and strength to overlap, open up pace, dribble, and cutting inside to create chances.
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#3 Alexander Robertson
Born: April 17, 2003
Citizenship: Australia England Peru, Scotland
Club: Manchester City U18
Position: Center Midfield
International Youth Allegiance: England
International Senior Allegiance: Undecided
A player that has many options of who to play for at senior level. Alex was born in Scotland, has a Peruvian Mother, Australian Dad, and was raised in Scotland, Australia, and England. He can select any of those nations to play for.
He currently plays at the youth international level for England, but as we saw with Jamal, that doesn’t necessarily indicate he will choose England at the Senior level. I’m sure he will choose his best option at getting playtime, I, obviously want him to choose England. And why not its a hotbed of talent currently thanks to the introduction of the EPPP in 2011.
Robertson’s Father and Grandfather both played for the Socceroos,
At Manchester United I learned to be “brave” – football is a lot quicker in England. I used to take a lot of touches, dribbling, that’s what I did in Australia. They explained how I need to move the ball quicker.
Alexander Robertson
Moving to England and playing for Manchester United changed the way he played football, but a thrashing by Manchester City changed his pathway. City officials called him on his way home and were impressed with his never-give-in attitude. Even at 5-0, he ran to the goal picked up the ball and ran back to the halfway line telling his teammates to keep going.
I’ve got a tunnel vision just to be the best. I’ve seen a lot of professional players – they are just another human being. I have met the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Paul Pogba, all of the Manchester United team but they are just normal people. I aspire to be like them.
Alexander Robertson
Alex’s mentors are important to him with both Australian Socceroos, Lucas Neill and Hayden Foxe, while his soccer hero is Steven Gerrard. Robertson is also managed by England, Manchester United, and Liverpool Great Michael Owen. A healthy band of soccer icons leads him to a successful career.
Key Characteristics
Key characteristics include a great first touch, technically very good with both feet, fantastic vision, and decision-making that make his passing range lethal. When he attacks the box he usually scores and times his arrival to the box perfectly. What more can you say a goalscoring technically gifted hard-working midfielder.
I say to Alexander sometimes you have to not look at the façade, and say, having the Rolls Royce treatment, and five-star facilities and look beyond that and keep it real: every training session has to be of the highest order, at your best for each game. Yes, Man City I’d say are the best facilities I have seen in my life. But the facilities are not what make the footballer. The footballer is the one who makes the most out of the facilities.
Mark Alexander, Alexs Dad
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#2 Jude Bellingham
Born: June 29, 2003
Citizenship: England
Club: Borussia Dortmund, Germany
Position: Midfield
International Youth Allegiance: England
International Senior Allegiance: England
Born in Stourbridge, Worcestershire Jude joined Birmingham City at U8, his brother Jobe is currently at Birmingham academy as well. His dad a Police officer helped instill a love for the game in the boys. Jude’s dad has scored over 700 goals in his nonleague career, taking the boys to his games to watch.
To be fair, I got into the game quite late – about seven years old. I think kids these days get into it at about three or four, which I think is crazy because they should be playing with toys and stuff. But I got into the game at seven and didn’t really enjoy it, but I had a bit of raw talent and I went to Birmingham and they nurtured it perfectly until I was 16. Now here, I’m really looking forward to seeing how my development’s going to increase.
Jude Bellingham
Bellingham played for Birmingham U18 at the age of 14 and made his debut at the U23 level by 15 years old. His development was fast-tracked by having him train with the senior squad and travel with the first team for league games. All important to the development of a professional footballer.
Record Breaker
In 2019 he broke the record of another record-breaker Trevor Francis (the first £1 Million player) by becoming the youngest player to play for Birmingham City’s First team. He was 16 years and 139 days old. He also was awarded the Birmingham mails player of the game.
Before the Coronavirus pandemic shut down European leagues, Jude had racked up 32 first-team appearances after resumption his season tally of 4 goals in 44 appearances from Cnetr Midfield. A £20 million bid from Manchester United followed that was turned down from Birmingham City FC.
His performances led him to shortlist Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund as his best development stage. With fellow Englishman Jadon Sancho and BVBs desire to play youngsters in the first team, Borussia beat out Manchester United for his signature with an initial £25 million-plus performance bonuses.
Earning his full England cap in 2020 he replaced another young starlet, Mason Mount making Jude the third youngest international. Only Theo Walcott and his hero Wayne Rooney were younger.
I’ve been in a professional environment since I was 15, always with the first team. And if not with the first team, with the reserves. So, I’ve always been in that kind of environment. So, it sets you up perfectly, especially the Championship for men’s football. There was never going to be anything that fazed me in terms of the professional side of the game because I’d done it before for two years. So, I felt very comfortable coming into the league. I was just so, so happy to get started.
Jude Bellingham
Read More: Tactical analysis of Liverpool vs Manchester City
#1 Xavi Simons
Born: April 21, 2003
Citizenship: Dutch
Club: Paris Saint-Germain, France
Position: Midfield
International Youth Allegiance: Holland
International Senior Allegiance: Holland
Xavier Quentin Shay Simons is the son of former Netherlands footballer Regillio Simons. Simons’s first youth club CD Tháder left for European giants Barcelona. He joined the Catalonias when he was seven.
Xavi’s social media has gone crazy since appearing on Goals NxGn top 50 and Guardians Next Generation listings. He has over 3 Million followers o Instagram!
Following a failed contract renewal with Barcelona, he joined the french powerhouse PSG, with a reported €1 million a year salary. Both Chelsea and Real Madrid were keen to sign him.
His excellent game awareness and vision stand him out from the crowded midfield players, with outstanding technical ability.
I prefer to assist than to score. For me, assists are the most important. When I score, I am happy, but if a team-mate scores I am also happy. So I prefer to assist because it’s good for the team.
Xavi Simons
His playing ability has seen comparisons to Lionel Messi, someone who has been mentioned more than once in these top 18 players to watch. I would disagree with his preferred passing game rather than embarking on dancing down the pitch with a ball.
I’m more into position play, I don’t like tricks, but when it is necessary I’ll do a trick. I’m more into tiki-taka.
Xavi Simons
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Honorable Mention – Liam Delap
Born: February 8, 2003
Citizenship: English
Club: Manchester City FC
Position: Forward
International Youth Allegiance: England
International Senior Allegiance: England
Son of Stoke City and Republic of Ireland long-throw specialist Rory Delap. Another Manchester City youth player. There are a lot of talented 17-year-olds out there so it takes a lot to make our 18.
Already earning his first call-up to the senior squad for the Carabao cup in 2020. A powerful six-foot striker that has a crazy explosive turn of pace, with an eye for goal. Liam was a key player in the Man City side that won the Premier League U18 Cup and the League his move from Derby County has certainly already born fruit.
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Notable – Liam Morrisson
Born: April 7, 2003
Citizenship: Scottish
Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Center Back
International Youth Allegiance: Scotland
International Senior Allegiance: Scotland
A player that Celtic was keen to keep, Liam moved to Bayern Munich even after being involved with the Celtics’ first team.
Has been likened to playing like Mat Hummels, Liam is a modern Center Back that builds up play with confidence with the ball at his feet like a midfielder.
Liam had a lot of offers from some well-known European clubs. We’re delighted he decided to join Bayern. He’s a robust and physical defender with a lot of quality.
Bayern academy manager, Jochen Sauer
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Notable – Noah Ohio
Born: January 16, 2003
Citizenship: Holland, Nigeria, and England
Club: RB Leipzig on loan to Vitesse
Position: Center Forward
International Youth Allegiance: Holland
International Senior Allegiance: Holland
Turning down a contract at Manchester City, Noah found a new home with RB Leipzig. A host of clubs was after his signature including Bayern Munich, Lyon, Ajax, and Borussia Dortmund.
A player that can select with Netherlands, Nigeria, or England at senior international level, was called up by the Netherlands youth team, beating England and Ohio scored both goals. You would think he had made his decision but a year later made his debut for England U16s against Scotland.
Before joining City he played for arch-rivals Manchester United, joining them in 2015.
A player that has similarities to the Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasslebank.
Antony Penna has coached professionally for over 28 years. He has coached in the UK and USA in the professional game and the youth game. Antony holds UEFA B and USSF licenses, LaLiga licenses, Performance analysis (IPSAS), Director of Coaching, and more. He is currently the CEO and Director of Soccer Operations for Kernow Storm FC.
KSFC has teams playing in national leagues, regional leagues, and local leagues as well as winning national titles. Antony has given presentations and lectures to the El Salvadorian national team and coaching staff provides coaching training sessions for the clubs he directs and has written a coaching manual for Storm FC. He resides in Dallas, Texas home for 17 years.
