10 players who will become household names in 2018

#5 Philipp Max (FC Augsburg)

Philipp has represented Germany at the Olympics

Age: 24

Philipp Max is a German left-back who is a product of Schalke's youth academy. He briefly played for Karlsruher SC when they were in the second-division before joining Augsburg for €3.6 million in 2015.

The 24-year-old was a relatively unknown entity, and still is one. But his statistics suggest that he doesn't nearly get as much attention as he deserves.

He leads the Bundesliga charts in assists, with 9 in 17 appearances so far this season. That's ahead of Bayern Munich superstars like Joshua Kimmich, Thomas Muller and James Rodriguez.

It's also the same as Kevin de Bruyne and more than David Silva, both of whom are being hailed as the best midfield playmakers in Europe right now. Philipp Max is not even a midfielder, and plays for 9th-placed Augsburg.

His father Martin Max was Bundesliga's top scorer twice (in 2000 and 2002), and it seems as though Philipp is beginning to live up to the family name.

His main asset is his incredible crossing ability, and the good understanding that he's established with Augsburg's strikers. His dead ball abilities are also increasing day by day.

He's been linked with several clubs who are in need of a left-back, including Manchester United and Liverpool. It remains to be seen if he would prefer a move to the Premier League when he's doing so well in Germany.

A place on the German squad looks promising. Joachim Low has been keeping an eye on him, and left-back is the one position that's up for grabs. Martin Max only managed a single cap for his country, but it looks as though Philipp might just surpass his father on the international stage eventually.