Top 10: Embolo, Odegaard, Tielemans and more feature amongst wonderkids to watch this season

19 November 2015 04:31

Earlier this week you may have read my article on the top 10 failed wonderkids. There were a lot of names on that list that seemed sure to achieve greatness but unfortunately none of them did. It seemed a sour note to leave it on so I compiled a list of Wonderkids that are currently playing and who are tipped to be world class.

To make the cut they have to be 21 or under (the younger the better) and they need to not be established. If they are currently in the middle of their break out season then that's fair game but you won't be seeing any Pogba or Laporte on this list. Whether they do meet the potential that they are believed to or not remains to be seen.

10 - Bernardo Carvalho Silva

Kicking off the list is Bernardo who made a name for himself during the 2013 UEFA European Under-19 Championships in Lithuania where he helped Portugal reach the semi-finals. Bernardo was then given his professional debut for Benfica. A year later he made a loan move to AS Monaco where he achieved his first chance in the first team. Bernardo made the move permanent earlier this year and has scored nine goals in 25 appearances. Bernardo is a quick winger who can play in either wing or even as a striker. He's definitely a name to remember.

9 - Gabriel Barbosa

Gabriel has been on many people's radar for a few seasons now. He has over 60 professional appearances at just 18 years old and it was reported that as part of the Neymar deal, Barcelona have first dibs on the teenager. Gabriel, who plays for as striker from Santos, was tipped to be the next Brazilian star at just 16 and is destined to be playing in Europe one day.

8 - Hachim Mastour

This 16 year old midfielder is the youngest ever player to play for Morocco and is one of the most skilful players in Europe at the moment. Mastour had many heads turning in 2014 when he was given offers from Juventus, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City but instead opted to join AC Milan and is now on loan to Malaga. He has been likened to Dutch international Wesley Sneijder so if he ever wins as much Sneijder he will definitely be considered a world class player.

7 - Leroy Sanè

Leroy Sanè burst onto the scene earlier this year in March when he made his Champions League debut against Real Madrid and scoring his first goal in Europe in the process, tying the game 3-3. He was fantastic on his debut and this season has been no different, more than filling the boots of the departed Sidney Sam. Sanè has also now made his Germany debut is destined for good things.

6 - Munir El-Haddadi

Another youngster who has had to fill big boots, Munir El-Haddadi has made a name for himself playing instead of the injured Lionel Messi. Munir won’t keep his place in the side when Messi is fit again but he has stated his claim on the Barcelona right wing position. Maybe when Messi has retired he will be given a starting spot but one thing is for sure – he has a very bright future ahead of him.

5 - Martin Ødegaard

Ødegaard came to the worlds attention last year when clips of him running rings around players in the Norwegian league went viral. Many top clubs tried to sign Ødegaard but he eventually signed for Real Madrid. Only 16, he has already made his Real Madrid debut and is without a doubt one of the best youngsters in world at the moment.

4 - Julian Brandt

Aged just 19, Brandt has made almost 50 professional appearances for Bayern Leverkusen and had played for Getmany at every level other than in the senior squad. He is a fantastic young winger and can be likened to Marco Reus. Although a few have criticised that he isn't fast enough to be a winger in the modern game and would be better of as an attacking midfielder, he is constantly proving them wrong and clearly has a long career ahead of him.

3 - Alen Halilovic

As the youngest player ever to play for the Croatian national team and the youngest player to ever score in the Croatian league, there's no wonder that this lad is considered on of the best young players in the world right now. Halilovic is just 18 and is now playing for Barcalona which has seen him be dubbed 'the new Ivan Rakitic' by some. After a loan spell at Sporting de Gijon is now good enough to play in the league for Barca and now all he needs to break into the first team.

2 - Breel Embolo

Embolo burst into the scene last season and has carried on his good form into this one. At only 18 his maturity on the football pitch is surprising and he has played for Switzerland at every level possible. His pace is electric and he doesn't give a defender a second to breathe.

1 - Youri Tielemans

There is no doubt in my mind that Youri Tielemans is the best Wonderkids in the world at the moment. He is at the heart of th Anderlecht midfield and is pulling all the strings. Last season he was popularised after being one of the best players to sign in football simulation games FIFA and Football Manager and this season he has lived up to it. At just 18 years old he plays like someone with 10 years experience and I would be very surprised if he isn't playing for a big club but the time he turns 20 after being linked with Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcalona.

Source: DSG