From promising talents to future football wonder kids

Wonder kids and more specifically looking for the new emerging talents and promising talents who can become future football stars have always intrigued me. A new European season has just begun and the promising stars have been promoted to the Reserves, B-teams and perhaps some are already training with the first team.

In my hunt for the new Football stars of 2013/2014 and while doing a research for the potential new Football Manager 2014 Wonderkids, I tracked down these amazing talents:

Gideon Zelalem: Attacking Midfielder, Arsenal

Gideon Zelalem of Arsenal during the Emirates Cup

Gideon Zelalem was born on January 26, 1997 and is now regularly part of the first team squad of Arsenal. The new German wonderkid of Ethiopian decent, started his youth career in USA, before being spotted by Arsenal’s scouts. Zelalem could be described as a technical gifted play-maker with sublime anticipation and vision, rare for such a youngster.

Zelalem’s play-making skills might make him inherit the throne of Xavi but it’s not only the skills and remarkable potential, that makes me sure he will become a future world class player. His personality and determination is something all youngsters should take notice of and learn from. He is excellent in picking out the right passes at the right time and has a sound level of football awareness and intelligence. In the pre-season tour, Zelalem showed the world his highly-rated ball control, composure, pin-pointed through balls and mature positioning.

Hachim Mastour: Attacking Midfielder, AC Milan

Hachim Mastour of AC Milan

Hachim Mastour was born on Hune 15, 1998 in Reggio, Emilia. He is described as the new jewel of I Rossoneri and has already been hyped as the Moroccan Lionel Messi. Hachim Mastour can become one of the best players in the world, as he is an extraordinary talent.

He was snapped up by AC Milan’s Vice-President Adriano Galliani last summer from Reggiana. The 15-year-old fantasisti, who is touted as one of the best talents in Italy, might debut for the AC Milan first team this season if approved by the Italian Football Federation.

Hachim Matsour scored in his debut for the Italian Under-15 National team earlier in June 2013. Since joining AC Milan, he has been part of AC Milan Primavera, where Filippo Inzaghi is head coach.

Hachim Mastour has all the skills to become an exceptional trequartista. His main strength is his excellent technique and movement both with and without the ball. Similar to Lionel Messi, he has amazed the world with his extreme unpredictability and vision to both pick out excellent passes or managing shots for himself. Everything he does is done with extreme ease and he is known to dribble his opponents way into the stand similar to Ronaldinho in his golden years.

Jeremie Boga: Attacking Midfielder, Chelsea

Jeremie Boga of Chelsea during the FA Youth Cup

Another great attacking midfielder! This French wonder kid, who was born in Marseille, is one highly rated player with increasing reputation.

Jeremie Boga was picked up by Chelsea when he was only 11 years old. At the age of 15, he soon got the chance to show his remarkable skills by featuring in the Blues’ Under-21 squad for the previous seasons NextGen Series. He soon recorded his first goal and put up quite a display.

Boga’s playing style is very direct with good movement, both with and without the ball. With the help of his extraordinary pace, acceleration and great dribbling skills he tends to run at his marker, beating him with raw speed. Boga, also, has a decent level of agility, flair and creativity. His low point of gravity, physical body strength and vision causes chaos in the oppositions defensive line.

In addition, Jeremie Boga can also produce goals. His finishing technique and long shots are fairly good. To summarize, his skills I will draw comparison to Diego Maradona; a faster, more modern and a better team player, who often thinks two steps ahead of every thing he does on the pitch.

Josimar Quintero: Wing-back/Midfielder(Right), Chelsea

Josimar Quintero is an Ecuadorian born versatile midfielder, who has the potential that can make him an excellent prospect for all player positions on the right flank. The former Barcelona jewel was one of the best players in Barcelona’s Cadete A last season. At Barcelona he was converted from the striker position to a winger, but was played most of the previous season as a wing-back. The Ecuadorian wonder kid can also play as central midfielder, if needed!

Josimar has all the skills required to play down the right flank. His work rate and ability to cover the right flank is something that’s very interesting, as there are very few talents that young with his remarkable skills. In addition to being hard working, Josimar has is extremely quick and has the technical abilities to be playing in advanced positions.

Josimar is also very good defensively, much similar to Daniel Alves, as his aggressive marking and positioning provides defensive safety. Josimar possess good dribbling skills, a good first touch, off the ball abilities and is known for his direct running. His attacking capabilities is very good as he tends to use his creativity on the flanks, create chances by good passes and crosses from wide, but also is able to finish off attacking moves with fierce shots.