The 5 best teenagers in world football currently

The footballing calendar has moved into the last international break of the year. However, there has been no shortage of breath-taking action over the latest international break.

The latest instalment of drama saw England propel themselves into the UEFA Nations League semi-finals at the expense of Spain and Croatia with a come-from-behind victory against the latter.

Elsewhere, there was Dutch delight at the De Kuip stadium as the Oranje outclassed France to emerge winners. The win was spearheaded by their young pairing of Frenkie De Jong and Matthijs De Ligt. The duo put in commanding performances in midfield and defence respectively to set the stage for a resounding victory.

With such young talent playing an increasingly impressive role across the globe this season, it is warranted to cast a glance on who the stars of tomorrow could be.

Hence, through this article, we would look at the brightest young talent on the planet currently. The players considered are those who are still in their teens yet are performing admirably for their clubs and country.

Without further ado, here are the best teenagers in the world:

Honourable Mentions: Justin Kluivert and Phil Foden

#5. Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen)

Kai Havertz has been at Bayer Leverkusen since 2010 and made his senior debut in 2016, becoming the youngest ever Bundesliga player in the process. The young German impressed in the 2017-18 season, yet he has taken his game up a notch this term.

This season, the midfielder has been an ever-present in the Leverkusen side, making 11 league appearances and 3 Europa League appearances. The German has always been touted for greatness and a return of 6 goals and 4 assists in all competitions this term hasn’t done his reputation any harm.

A dazzling dribbler, Havertz likes to play in the ‘No.10’ role and find the pockets of space between the opposition’s midfield and defence. Additionally, he is quite adept at playing the ‘killer ball’, thus making him an indispensable part of the attacking quartet.

Having crossed the half-century mark for club appearances, the young German seems to have a sound head on his shoulders. If he continues performing in the same vein, one can expect him to become a household name across the globe very soon.

Havertz has been dubbed as a player similar to Ballack and Ozil. Though those are huge shoes to fill, his talent means that those comparisons aren’t completely unwarranted.

Thus, he makes our list at No.5.

#4. Dan-Axel-Zagadou (Borussia Dortmund)

The strong, French defender was brought in from Paris Saint-Germain at the start of last season. However, he wasn’t able to make his mark and played only a handful of games.

The appointment of Lucien Favre brought renewed hope for the Frenchman, with the Swiss displaying a penchant for developing young players. After being thrust into the deep end, Zagadou has emerged with flying colours thus far.

The French defender has been a colossus at the back for Dortmund on their way to the top of the Bundesliga. In 7 league apperances, Zagadou has averaged nearly 6 clearances per game, in addition to the 2.6 interceptions he has come up with.

At 1.96m, he is an imposing figure at the back and rarely gets outjumped or outmuscled. Additionally, he is adept with the ball at his feet. In the league, Zagadou has averaged 74.7 passes per game, at an accuracy of 86%.

Zagadou has all the ingredients to become a top-drawer centre back. However, with the embarrassment of riches France enjoy at the moment, he might have to wait for his turn to put on the famous blue jersey.

With his best years ahead of him, Zagadou will only improve. Hence, he is one who will stay on the radar of every top club in years to come. Thus, he comfortably slots into our list at No.4.

Sancho has been grabbing the headlines for Dortmund

#3. Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)

In the summer of 2017, Sancho and Manchester City were at loggerheads with the youngster’s playing time acting as the point of contention. With City not being able to promise him regular game time, the Englishman packed his bags for the Westfalonstadion in August 2017.

Last season, Sancho was instrumental as England romped to the U-17 World Cup title in India. However, the Englishman found first-team action hard to come by.

While many might have become disillusioned with the lack of playing time, Sancho didn’t buckle and kept working hard. Thus, he has been able to reap the benefits of the hard yards put in by him this term.

In Lucien Favre’s exciting Dortmund side, Sancho has played a stellar role, grabbing 4 goals and 6 assists. More than the sheer weight of numbers he has produced, the Englishman has been a treat to watch.

Sancho represents the new breed of English footballers. Footballers who aren’t afraid to prioritise creativity over calculation.

Blessed with the ability to waltz past a defender, Sancho has added an end product to his game recently. More of the same and he can find himself being mentioned in the same breath as Rashford and Co.

The last time there was such a buzz around an English teenager, it was Wayne Rooney and it’s safe to say that it turned out well.

All we can do now is wait for Sancho to scale the heights he is capable of. Hence, he makes out list at No.3.

De Ligt(L) has shown maturity beyond his years

#2. Matthijs De Ligt (Ajax)

De Ligt is a Dutch central defender who has received his footballing education on the hallowed turfs of Ajax FC. Having played a bit-part role in the past couple of seasons, he is now starting to realise his true potential.

A product of the famed Ajax academy, De Ligt is as elegant a passer of the football as any. In 11 league games this season, he has averaged 66.5 passes at an astounding accuracy of 91%. Ball-playing centre-backs enhance any team and thus, it comes as no surprise that De Ligt has captured the imagination of the footballing fraternity.

Apart from his exploits with the ball, De Ligt is a rock at the back. Blessed with the ability to anticipate the opponent’s next move, he finds himself in position to clear the danger more often than not. Him averaging nearly 4 clearances per game drives the point home.

De Ligt looks destined for greatness and has displayed the characteristics to become the next ball-playing centre-back sensation.

Despite being a teenager, De Ligt has displayed maturity well beyond his years. At only 19 years of age, he has time on his hand to develop into the centre-back his ability warrants.

Hence, he takes the runner up spot on our list.

#1. Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)

The French sensation burst onto the scene with the exhilarating, exciting and extra-ordinary AS Monaco side of 2016-17. Having stunned PSG for the Ligue 1 title, they also stormed to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, with Mbappe putting in superlative performances.

Inevitably, one of Europe’s big boys came calling and Mbappe landed in Paris to form a terrorising trio with Neymar and Cavani. In the 2017-18 season, the Frenchman made the net bulge on 13 occasions in the league while also bagging 8 assists. This term, however, he has already raised an extraordinarily high bar, with him netting 11 times in the league.

In the summer, he scored 4 goals as France clinched their second World Cup crown.

The teenager’s biggest attribute is his speed. He accelerates like a Ferrari and has pace to burn. Once he beats a defender, there is simply no catching him. However, the most impressive aspect of his gameplay has been his ability to maintain composure and finish off moves for his team.

Mbappe looks primed to stake a claim to be counted among the world’s elite players. The young boy, likened to Thierry Henry, has all the tools to emulate or even go past his role model.

Mbappe is only 19 and it is scary to think what he might go on to achieve in the years to come. Thus, without a shadow of a doubt, he is the undisputed best teenager on the planet.

Edited by Emeka Monyei