Football will never run out of talents with batches of young players rising through the ranks of their respective academy. Some shine so brightly at the highest level of football, demonstrating their quality and pure talents, while some others build their reputation slowly and steadily showing off the results of hard work and perseverance once they make it to the top level.
For me, the quality of a youth academy is not just defined by superb facilities and academy coaches but also the output - how many of them make it at the professional level. While the quality of the player itself could be determined not just by the way one plays on the pitch nor his statistics, but also one's personality and mentality on and off the pitch, his willingness to fight for a place in the team, his drive and determination to always try and learn, and grow and develop as a footballer in overall not just a player in a specific position. Though it's pretty much qualitative, which means we couldn't really measure exactly how much a player has grown and how much more he could grow, we could always see the result of his training on the field.
1. Bote Baku - Central Midfielder - 20 Years Old
This season is definitely a breakout season for Mainz native, Bote "Ridle" Baku. All were going so well for the 20-year-old versatile midfielder until he suffered a syndesmotic ligament tear in a match against Borussia Monchengladbach which would set him back for a few weeks. The German youth international is a fighter in the middle of the field, often drawing comparisons with former RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita for his incredible speed and balance, excellent dribbling ability, endless stamina, proficiency when it comes to winning the ball and a flair for attack. The player who is of Congolese descent is able to play as a central or defensive midfielder, even as a full-back and a wide midfielder in either side of the flank. Baku saw a rapid rise of his price last season after scoring a magnificent goal in his professional debut for Mainz against RB Leipzig, then continued his splendid run with another goal against Borussia Dortmund to help his team win 2-1 away from home. Despite his injury, many people still expect Bote Baku to come back much stronger this season.
2. Ross McCrorie - Defensive Midfielder - 20 Years Old
"He is going to be one of the best centre-halves in the history, not just for his club and country," said former Rangers Pedro Caixinha when asked for his opinion regarding the Rangers debutant. Ross McCrorie is loved by the Rangers fans and is considered one of their brightest talents in recent years. Able to play either as a defensive midfielder or a centre-back, Ross McCrorie is blessed with sheer physicality, amazing ball control, and outstanding passing skills. A ball-playing defender when still under Caixinha, now he is shifted into the defensive midfielder slot under the tutelage of Steven Gerrard who sees that the 20-year-old actually has a touch of creativity and the ability to create a play. Ross McCrorie has featured 11 times for Rangers this season but is only a rotational player for now. But it won't be long until he becomes a regular feature for the Scottish side.
3. Alexis Saelemaekers - Right-Back - 19 Years Old
He was only 12 years of age when he attracted the scouts of RSC Anderlecht in a trial match in Brabant when he scored an awe-inspiring goal after dribbling past every defender he faces from the halfway line. 6 years later, Saelemaekers made his first-team debut for Anderlecht in a match against Sint-Truiden in the 2017/18 season. Now, the 19-year-old right-back is a regular starter at the Belgian side. He was originally a prolific winger but was shifted into a more defensive role of a fullback in his days at the academy. Now in the senior setup of RSC Anderlecht, the manager, Hein Vanhaezebrouck prefers playing him in a right midfielder berth. The Belgium youth international is quite fast and agile, and a skilful dribbler, combined with pinpoint crossing ability and superb defensive techniques - he is a name you should not forget for he will be a terrific player only in a few more years.
4. Borna Sosa - Left-Back - 20 Years Old
Coming from the youth ranks of Dinamo Zagreb who were known for producing top-class young talents, Borna Sosa made his first big move to Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart this season and has already started to prove himself in front of many audiences around the world. A superb defender and a decent attacker, Borna Sosa could fit in tactics set by his gaffer - whether he wants him to stay behind when attacking or he wants to go marauding forward, he could do either just as well. Standing 1,84m (6ft1/2) tall, the 20-year-old Croatian starlet has no problem when it comes to dealing with aerial duels. With a blistering pace, exceptionally strong physique, and an intelligent mind when it comes to reading the game, Borna Sosa could grow to be one of the best defenders in the world of football.
5. Aurelien Tchouameni - Central Midfielder - 18 Years Old
Hailing from Rouen, this Bordeaux player has the potential to be one of the best central midfielders in the world. His style of play is quite similar to that of SSC Napoli's Amadou Diawara - with his ability to win the ball, hold the ball, control the tempo, and distribute it to his teammates, Aurelien Tchouameni is the pivot to which his team revolves around. The 18-year-old has so far played 13 times for the senior establishment of Girondins de Bordeaux in Ligue 1 and this season may well be his breakout season. An amazing deep-lying playmaker for the future, Tchouameni is a part of France's golden generation of remarkable young talents.
6. Exequiel Palacios - Central Midfielder - 20 Years Old
20-year-old Exequiel Palacios is quite an exquisite midfielder. The young Argentinian has been showing some strong performances since his breakout season in 2016/17. He has played anywhere in the centre of the field and lately in either side of the field. Palacios has made 8 appearances this season with one goal and two assists to his name. An amazing playmaker with a flair for attack - Exequiel is an amazing dribbler and a majestic passer. With his pace, technique, and vision, it's quite hard to get the ball away from him and it might take more than one to simply stop him. The Argentinian midfielder is quite famous in his hometown of Argentina with scandalous affairs with some women, but now could be even more famous in the world of football after his name is linked with a January transfer move to Real Madrid
7. Dennis Man - Right Winger - 20 Years Old
Already linked with a switch to either Serie A side AS Roma or Premier League club Manchester United - Dennis Man's rise from a 17-year-old unknown youngster playing in Liga II- Seria II Romania into a wonderkid playing at the highest level of professional football in Romania is quite impressive. Making his debut at 17 with Romanian side UTA Arad, the left-footed right-winger instantly became a regular for his team. Man made his move to FC Steaua Bucharest in the next season and it didn't take too long for him to make an impact at the club. Originally playing as a striker - Dennis Man moved into a right-winger berth at FCSB, taking the role of an inside forward or an inverted winger, but could also play as an attacking midfielder due to his sublime playmaking ability. Blessed with blistering pace, agility and amazing overall physicality, Dennis Man is not an easy man to mark. He is also a technically proficient player with excellent ball control and dribbling skills as well as a splendid eye for a pass.
8. Guus Til - Attacking Midfielder - 20 Years Old
The Zambian-born AZ Alkmaar starlet has been making a name for himself in Eredivisie for the last two seasons - showcasing his outstanding ability to find his teammates and bring them into play with exquisite passes. Til had his breakout season in 2017/18 where he and his teammates managed to bring their team to an impressive third-place finish in Eredivisie just behind league leaders PSV and runners-up Ajax, and they also managed to reach the final of TOTO KNVB Beker (Dutch league cup) before they were beaten by eventual winners Feyenoord. The 20-year-old was and still ever-present under coach John van den Brom and he has proven himself as probably the most vital, irreplaceable member of the team and due to his talent and influence in the team he has been rewarded with captaincy this season. Guus Til is an amazing talent with immense potential lurking just outside the radar of many talent scouts from big clubs around Europe.
9. Giorgi Chakvetadze - Attacking Midfielder - 19 Years Old
Young Georgian wonderboy Giorgi Chakvetadze has seen a rapid rise of his value after making a move from Georgia to Belgium. A youth exponent of Dinamo Tbilisi, Chakvetadze made his move to Belgian club KAA Gent for a reported fee of around 1.5 million Euros. A technical player with an attacking flair and keen eyes for a pass, 19-year-old Chakvetadze is so talented, he even drew comparisons with the legendary former Real Madrid and Milan playmaker Ricardo Kaka. There are rumours that Spanish giants FC Barcelona are keeping tabs on the pacey and quick-footed Georgian starlet.
10. Erling Braut Haland - Striker - 18 Years Old
For me, the stats speak for itself. Erling Braut Haland, born in Leeds, England 18 years ago - lit up the Norwegian Eliteserien in the 2018 season with Molde FK where the 1.91m (6.3ft) tall striker enjoyed a successful campaign as he managed to put his name on the scoresheet 12 times and contributed with 4 assists to his teammates in a total of 25 matches in all competitions. With sheer physicality and impressive striking technique alongside intelligent positioning and anticipation, the 18-year-old target man is a dangerous presence even when the ball is not on his feet. His style of play seems similar to the up-and-rising Polish striker Krzysztof Piątek and former Chelsea and Everton striker Romelu Lukaku. Calm and composed when on the ball, especially inside the box, Haland has the mentality that perhaps not many others have at the same age. The Norwegian wunderkind has already a future transfer arranged with Austrian defending champions RB Salzburg for a potential fee of 3.6 million Euros, despite also rumoured with a move to Premier League giants Manchester United.
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