ISP Special: World's Top 15 Young Talents

15. Alex Teixeira, Vasco
Born: 1990
Nation: Brazil

Pacey little striker. That knows how to dribble. Lacks finishing touches in front of the goal. Plays a lot for his club, been linked to Everton and Manchester United, and played in World Cup U-17. Is also a good player that gives many assist with his great vision he sends other player on goal alone with the goal keeper. Unlike other Brazilian strikers he also runs a lot on the field.



14. Ignacio Camacho, Atletico Madrid
Born: 1990
Nation: Spain

Spain doesn’t need to worry that Senna is getting older, Camacho is here! Plays and scores already for his club. Was Captain for Spain’s U-17 team that came to the final in U17-World Cup! Plays simple and have very few mistakes on the field. Extremely tough and good player when the team loses the ball. Works hard and makes the right decisions. Never backs down when there is a tackle, and have a great passing foot. Got his debut against Barcelona, where the Madrid team won 4-2! In this game Camacho had a assist. Camacho is the new Torres of Madrid. The question is when will he nominated as captain for his club? He will also be a contender to be captain for the Spanish national team.


13. Rafael, Manchester United.
Born: 1990
Nation: Brazil

A new right back is presented to Manchester after a long time. The opposite of Neville and Brown, he is a right back that likes to play offensive, dribble and yes even score! Extremely fast player that is starting to get play time way before expected and is playing over all expectations. At national team he will have harder times with players like Maicon and Alves. But in Manchester in some few years his place is secure.



12. Georginio Wijnaldum, Feyenoord
Born: 1990
Nation: Holland

Technically a dream player. The way he get pass the players is just a joy to watch. Great passes and good dribbler and he combine these skills so well. Can play as winger if needed, but lacks the pace of winger. His main weakness is, pace and shooting. Is already been linked to join a new club next season. But should stay to he gets his national team debut before leaving for a big team. Very interesting to see how he will be handled if/when he gets national team call up. Will he be a striker? Winger? Attacking midfielder? Is very similar to Van der Vaart.



11. Fellipe Bastos, Benfica
Born: 1990
Nation: Brazil

The new Dunga! A great defensive midfielder. Good free kicks and long shots as well. Have no real weakness. Has already debuted for Benfica. Great leader, who likes to control the midfield. One of Brazil’s biggest hopes for the future. A kind of player that doesn’t come along too often in Brazil.



10. Lukman Haruna, Monaco
Born: 1990
Nation: Nigeria

Similar to Jon Obi Mikel. Great physical player, with great free kicks. Works hard but lacks the tough defensive play when the team loses the ball. Already played for Nigeria’s national team as well as Monaco senior team. It’s also said that Barcelona, Real Madrid and Benfica was after this young player. His hard task in France is to make it and play as a regular in the starting 11.



9. Martin Galvan, Cruz Azul
Born: 1993
Nation: Mexico

This player was promoted to the first-team squad at age of 13! The young buy is very tough and isn’t afraid of working hard when the team loses the ball. Plays with a lot of aggression on the field. Is extremely fast, and it almost seems like he is faster with the ball in his feet. And the way he reads the game even though he is so young
One of many bright stars from Mexico. Is already known name in the Barcelona staff room. This technically gifted midfielder is also a good runner believe it or not. But because of his lack of games at the highest level it is hard to put him higher at this list. But to today he has shown great signs of becoming a new star of the game!



8. Sotiris Ninis, Panathiakos
Born: 1990
Nation: Greece

He got the chance to play for Albania but wanted to play for Greece and after that he has been hero in Greece.
Played and scored for Greece national team. Had a tough season last year because of injuries but is back in the game and again reclaimed his place in the team. Very good with the ball extremely high pace when he moves the ball. His right foot is also extremely good. And have a lot of experience. Have been chosen in best 11 in UEFA U-19 European Championships 2007 and won the prize young player of the year 2007 in Greece. He is also the youngest Greek player to score in Greek league. But the question remains: When will Ninis join a top league and how will he do it there?



7. Batuhan Karadeniz
Born: 1991
Nation: Turkey

This tall Turkey striker is already known star in Turkey. He has played for Turkey national team and also plays for Besiktas. The hottest target player among youngsters in the world. He also uses both his foot. In the junior team he scored over 200 goals in almost 90 games! He has also been compared to Batistuta and many call him Batigol. Has also played in Champions League. Many see him as a dream partner with Bojan once in Barcelona. But have some way of getting himself in the middle of controversy. He was also on verge of get a loan deal with FC Koln but missed it. And Manchester City has also shown interest in the player. Lately Karadeniz have had some tough time, but hopefully he will be back on track!



6. Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal
Born: 1990
Nation: Wales

Nicknamed Rambo and he still leave with his parents. Wenger have said he have plans for Rambo this season and have refused to loan him away.
What a future Wales will have with players such as: Ramsey (17), Bale (19), Gunter (19), Evans (19) and Vokes (19). All have international experience as well and are not even 20 yet!
Ramsey and Bale are among the brightest talents of them all. Ramsey is maybe the biggest youth player since Ryan Giggs. And to know he will work under Wenger will almost give you a good feeling that this player will make it. Great vision and knows how to handle the ball. If he lives up to what is expected from him Arsenal shouldn't be so afraid of missing Fabregas.



5. Mario Balotelli, Inter
Born: 1990
Nation: Italy

It’s very hard to be a young player in Inter, and make them loan away their older players and keep their young player in their team to build on. Normally in Inter they don’t have time to do that. But they must have seen something special in this guy. They have him in their plans for this year. Balotelli likes to play as striker but can also work as wing thanks to his great pace, dribbling and crosses. Can use both feet. He also has great physique for his young age. Scored 3 goals last season in 11 games. He has also scored in Champions League! He today plays for Italy U-21 and have already scored several goals for the team at age of 18. An interesting player, the only thing that worries is; he plays his football for Inter, which can be risky for a young player.


4. Miralem Pjanic, Lyon
Born: 1990
Nation: Bosnia


He was linked to Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter this summer. Ciro has announced this player as the next big thing from Balkan.
Played a major role in Metz campaign last season at age of 16-17. Played 32 games and scored 3 times. One of the best young playmakers in the world! Have got some play time in Lyon already and played for Bosnia’s national team. Great ball technique, great dribbling and also have a vision and great passes. He can open every defense.
A right choice the that he moved to Lyon, here he can get some play time with a good team as well as compete in Champions league and as well we all know how many big transfers Lyon have made with big clubs around the world.




3. Toni Kroos, Bayern Munchen
Born: 1990
Nation: Germany

Germany don’t worry Ballack is getting the national team coach headache. You have a player with much more potential around the corner. Already last year he played for Bayern. In World Cup U-17 he was awarded the best player! He also scored 5 goals as midfielder. Uses both his feet, great passes, and also a good dribbler. Not always you see a German playmaker have such good dribbling. But he lacks some when it comes to the physique. You never thought you would see this, but it seems like he’s a German playmaker that will entertain us with great dribbling creative moves in the future! His free kicks are also world class. But Kroos lacks the movement of a playmaker. He very easily get tiered on suddenly he just want take part in the game.






2. Alan Dzagoev, CSKA Moscow
Born: 1990
Nation: Russia

Russia has been on the right track lastly. A lot of investments have been made. This is the result. Dzagoev have a dangerously good passing foot as well as great vision. He has played for Russian national team, plays fix in his club. Have great free kicks as well as crosses. Many compare his free kicks and crosses with David Beckham. But he lacks much when it comes to running. He runs too little without the ball. But anyway 8 goals for his new club as midfielder is really impressing. There will not be long before he is a regular in the national team. He has also been linked to Manchester United.


1. Bojan Krkic Perez, Barcelona
Born: 1990
Nation: Spain

Bojan scored 960 in Barcelona’s youth teams.
Had a great last season for Barcelona, when the team had a tough time. That was hard. But then he had a hard time following up. Many say he got too much in short time and maybe got burned out. That won’t happen; Barcelona is very good with handling the young players. And his choice not to join the national team in Euro 2008 was also a smart move from the player. He played for Spain in WC-U17 but failed to be awarded the best player or the cup ore top scorer. But anyway his natural finishing, good technique and good pace are extreme. And if he is handled right he will become way better then Torres ore Raul. Maybe Spain finally has a star striker that can score over 20 goals and 10 assists regularly!