THESE 20 boy wonders have the world at their feet.
SunSport takes a look at the stars of tomorrow – from the Japanese Messi to a Chelsea starlet who once modelled for Burberry.
Frank Lampard has already given youngster Billy Gilmour a chance at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
No pressure, but we expect them to make their breakthrough next season and stake their claim for first team action.
Some have even had a taste for the big leagues this season.
BILLY GILMOUR
Handed a start in the Carabao Cup against Manchester United this season, Gilmour is a central midfielder likened to Jorghino.
Previously with Glasgow Rangers, where he trained with the first team at the tender age of 15, he joined the Blues in 2017.
Blessed with good looks, the Scottish schemer has also modelled for Burberry.
Gilmour has modelled for BurberryCredit: Burberry
WILLIAM SALIBA
Arsenal realised Saliba’s potential last summer, splashing £27m on the towering centre half from Saint-Etienne.
Unfortunately, the Gunners had to let him go back to the French club on loan, because they could’ve done with him.
A France U20 international, he could be the answer to the Gunners’ issues at the back next season when he officially joins the club.
William Saliba could be the answer to Arsenal’s defensive problemsCredit: Getty – Contributor
MASON GREENWOOD
The Bradford-born wonderkid has set the Europa League alight this season, and against Newcastle had a stormer.
A fleet-footed forward, with bags of pace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already compared this precious talent to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Next season the 18-year-old will surely solidify himself as a first-team starter.
Mason Greenwood has announced himself onto the Old Trafford stageCredit: PA:Press Association
XAVI SIMONS
He’s definitely got more Instagram followers (2.3m) than you.
A 16-year-old superstar in the making, Simons recently moved to PSG where he will continue his development.
Originally schooled at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Simons is already represented by super agent Mino Raiola.
Xavi Simons moved from Barcelona to PSG in the summerCredit: Getty – Contributor
TAKEFUSA KUBO
So good he’s been labelled the ‘Japanese Messi’, and Zidane wanted him to stay with Real Madrid this season to help their cause in the Champions League and La Liga.
Kubo, 18, is an attacking midfielder who can change a game with a jaw-dropping skill.
Currently on loan with Mallorca, he had a spell as a youth prospect at Barcelona – scoring 74 goals in 30 games in their U11s.
Tuba has been nicknamed the Japanese MessiCredit: Getty – Contributor
EDUARDO CAMAVINGA
At just 17, Camavinga is already bossing midfields in Ligue 1 with Rennes.
A box-to-box midfielder who’s as comfortable on the ball as he is in the tackle, he’s already had an £84m price tag slapped on his head.
That hasn’t dissuaded the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United registering an interest in Camavinga.
Rennes star Eduardo Camavinga has a £84m price tag on his shouldersCredit: AFP or licensors
CATALIN CIRJAN
With Arsenal’s U18s, Cirjan has scored an impressive three goals in eight games as his game has rapidly progressed.
A midfielder in the Aaron Ramsey mould, Romanian Cirjan, 17, remarkably made his debut at the age of 10 in the Romanian fourth division.
At 13, he was playing a level above for Viitorul Domnesti. He’s recognised as Romania’s most promising player since Gheorghe Hagi.
Catalin Cirjan is the most promising Romanian footballer since Gheorghe HagiCredit: Getty – Contributor
REINIER JESUS
Flamengo’s 17-year-old midfielder has already made a name for himself in Brazil’s Serie A, finding the net six times in 14 games.
A £60m target for the world’s best clubs, Arsenal were said to have contacted his father to sound out a deal for the precious talent.
He captained Brazil for the 2019 South American U-17 Championship in Peru and started all four group stage matches, scoring three goals.
Reinier Jesus, 17, is a £60m target for ArsenalCredit: Getty – Contributor
TROY PARROTT
The jewel of the Spurs academy, 17-year-old Parrott made his debut for the Republic of Ireland in November against New Zealand.
The forward, looking to follow in the footsteps of Harry Kane, made his debut for Tottenham in the Carabao Cup against Colchester earlier this season.
He did show some petulance for the U23s this season though, getting sent off against Arsenal.
Spurs prospect Troy Parrott made his debut for Republic of Ireland last monthCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
SANDRO TONALI
Andrea Pirlo’s not long been retired, but in true Football Manager-style he’s already been cloned!
Tonali, 19, has starred for Brescia since making his debut three years ago.
The elegant Italian regista with superb vision has also been capped for Italy three times. He could be a standout star at next year’s Euros.
Sandro Tonali could be the star of Euro 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty
ANSU FATI
Move over Messi.
Fati, 17, is creating records at Barcelona and has been called the heir to the Argentinian’s throne.
The winger became the youngest ever Champions League goalscorer when he netted against Inter Milan in a 2-1 win.
Ansu Fati is the heir to Lionel Messi’s Barcelona throneCredit: Getty – Contributor
AARON HICKEY
Across the border, they’re raving about this lad and it’s easy to understand why.
Hickey, 17, of Hearts is a defender who has made an outstanding start to his career with the Scottish club, starting the Scottish Cup final in just his third appearance this year.
He scored his first senior goal in the Edinburgh derby, and has been linked with Arsenal and Manchester City.
Hearts defender Aaron Hickey has been linked to Arsenal and Manchester CityCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
ALPHONSO DAVIES
Davies, 19, rise to stardom is remarkable.
Born in a refugee camp in Ghana, his family managed to flee to Canada when he was five.
After establishing himself at the brilliantly named Vancouver Whitecaps, the wing-back moved to Bayern Munich, where he is making his name.
Alphonso Davies went from refugee camp to Bayern Munich first teamCredit: Getty – Contributor
TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS
The answer to Manchester City’s problems in defence may lie closer to home and hail from Stockport.
Harwood-Bellis, 17, captained England’s U17s in the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, scoring in a group game against the Netherlands.
A 6ft 1in centre half, Guardiola will like how comfortable on the ball he is at such a young age.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis captained England U17 teamCredit: Rex Features
TYREECE JOHN-JULES
The nephew of Red Dwarf star Danny John-Jules, this powerful 18-year-old centre forward is already training with Arsenal’s first team, as per Freddie Ljungberg’s instructions.
John-Jules began his career at Charlton, before joining the Gunners youth set-up aged just eight.
With Arsenal reported to lose Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the striker might find a spot open up for himself at the heart of Arsenal’s forward line.
Tyreece John-Jules is the nephew of Red Dwarf star Danny John-JulesCredit: Getty – Contributor
CHARLIE BROWN
Not to be confused with Snoopy’s mate, Charlie Brown is highly-rated at Stamford Bridge.
Brown, 20, was top scorer in last season’s Uefa Youth League scoring 11 goals.
Formerly of Ipswich, and predominantly left-footed, Brown is destined to follow Tammy Abraham into the Blues first team.
Charlie Brown was top scorer in last seasons’ Uefa Youth LeagueCredit: Instagram @charliebrownn9
ERLING HAALAND
The most-wanted striker in Europe right now, Haaland, 19, has excelled at Red Bull Salzburg this season scoring 28 times in 22 games in all competitions.
The son of Leeds hardman Alf-Inge, he has been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Manchester United have reportedly made the Norwegian their chief transfer target in January.
Erling Haaland is Europe’s most wanted strikerCredit: Getty – Contributor
RODRYGO
Boy Wonders playing in La Liga are enjoying breaking records for fun in Europe.
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, 18, announced himself to the world in November when he became the youngest ever player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League in the 6-0 rout of Galatasaray.
Los Blancos acquired his services this summer for an astonishing £40m, but after some struggles in La Liga he’s coming to terms with his surroundings.
Rodrygo is the youngest player to score a Champions League hat-trickCredit: Getty – Contributor
DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI
Szoboszlai, 19, is another who has starred for Red Bull Salzburg, who have impressed fans with their performances in Europe, notably at Anfield when they fought back from three goals down.
The Hungarian playmaker has been central to everything good in their attacking play, providing the ammunition for Haaland upfront.
It’s no wonder the Gunners are said to be plotting a move for the youngster.
Dominik Szoboszlai is an attacking midfielder who pulls the strings for Red Bull SalzburgCredit: Getty – Contributor
ERIC GARCIA
The ‘new Pique’, Garcia learned his trade as a youth with Barcelona.
The 18-year-old joined Manchester City in 2017, and made his competitive debut in 2018 in the EFL Cup quarter-final against Leicester City.
He made his Premier League debut back in September in the 8-0 rout of Watford, coming on as a sub for Nicolas Otamendi.
Eric Garcia has been compared to Barcelona’s Gerard PiqueCredit: Getty – Contributor
From a young age Barcelona’s Ansu Fati was always great at heading in goals
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
