This season, we were introduced to some incredible youngsters coming through the ranks of various European clubs. The likes of Nady Keita, Amadou Diawara and Kylian Mbappe have caught the world's attention for some of their incredible performances in both domestic and European tournaments.
And with many football clubs slowly losing out on the ability to fight for talent due to the rising economy of the sport, they're pouring all their efforts in ensuring they're able to produce incredible talent through their youth academies.
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So, here's looking at five young players who will shine under the spotlight in the 2017/2018 season:
#1 Moise Kean – Juventus
17-year-old Italian striker Moise Kean has been gathering quite the fan base albeit not so brashly as Kylian Mbappe. Kean is still registered with the Juventus Under 19s and has been given the chance to play for the first team in two Serie A games this season.
Massimiliano Allegri didn't necessarily have to call upon Kean to the first team often given the plethora of options he's got up top – including Argentine duo Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala. Yet, he remains a fan and is ensuring Kean takes his time to establish himself onto the scene.
A pure threat with his pace, finishing and turn, the 17-year-old is earmarked for success. He's got a level head, has been flourishing for the youth team scoring 11 goals in 21 appearances and he knows his time will come irrespective of which club he plays for – knowing that he's signed on with Mino Raiola as his manager.
#2 Pablo Maffeo – Manchester City
Still only 19 and one of the reasons why Manchester City didn't go gung-ho on trying to sign Arsenal's Hector Bellerin. Pablo Maffeo is currently on loan at La Liga side Granada and is one of the bright sparks within the ranks of the Nazaríes in their otherwise disappointing season.
Pep Guardiola loves his full-backs to either push really high up or cut inside and contribute to the battle in the middle of the park and in Maffeo, he has someone who's composed on the ball and has the kind of creative vision to ensure he can get the ball safely to one of the forwards.
With Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta towards the fag end of their careers, this is the moment Manchester City should take to promote the youngster into the first team and provide so much more to the way they play under current manager, Pep Guardiola.
#3 Malang Sarr – OGC Nice
Much has been spoken about of OGC Nice's rise to the top of the Ligue 1 table this season. Yes, they have an experienced forward line and a midfield capable of competing with the better teams in France but the fact that they've put up with such an onslaught of matches with an 18-year-old at the back is saying something else entirely.
A Nice man through and through, Malang Sarr has been a rock and the kind of base Lucien Favre's side needed to ensure they could compete with the big boys in the league. An excellent passer of the ball who possesses an accuracy of 88.7%, he's had the kind of season that could very well catch the attention of a lot of clubs.
Real Madrid have reportedly sent scouts to monitor him on a week-to-week basis meaning he's no flash in the pan. Sarr is dominant defender despite his tender age. With experience and the right kind of mentor, he'll grow to become a truly monumental player for both France and his club.
#3 Ante Coric – Dinamo Zagreb
Having seemingly passed up the chance of UEFA Champions League football when he left RedBull Salzburg in 2014 – as a 16-year-old – Ante Coric has gone on to carve a name for himself in his home country of Croatia.
With similarities to Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic in the way he's able to carry the ball forward, Coric is turning out to be an impressive player and one with a boatload of potential should he continue in his current vein of form.
With eight goals and four assists in 33 appearances for Dinamo in all competitions this season, the 19-year-old is on the upward curve and could become a valuable addition to any interested club willing to make the bet on him.
#5 Maximiliano Romero – Velez Sarsfield
If this already isn't the golden generation for Argentina football, the addition of another young potent striker into the mix is only going to stoke the fire. 18-year-old Maximiliano Romero is another forward coming through the ranks in Sarsfield.
Scouted by a bunch of European giants including Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool, he's seen as someone who could grow into the mould of a Sergio Aguero only a bit taller. He's quick, he finishes off chances well and he comes from a school that preaches ruthlessness in front of goal.
Having been in Argentina all his career, the 18-year-old is looking to move to Europe this summer and should he come across the pond, the chances of him going out on loan to learn the trade of European football is highly likely. He's another talent worthy of representing his country albeit in a few years.
