U-21 Team of the Year 2014

2014 was a great year in football. It saw Real Madrid and Germany get back to the top in club and international football, as they won the Champions League and FIFA World Cup respectively. While the year saw some great performances from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, it also saw the emergence of a new breed of players, who look set to take the world by storm.Energetic and full of promise, there were some young players who caught the eye in 2014. So let us take a look at who makes it into the U-21 team of 2014. Is there a spot for Paul Pogba, who won the Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup? What about youngsters from Barcelona and Real Madrid, and one of Germany’s very talented World Cup squad? Go ahead and read on.The team will be set-up in a 4-3-3 formation.

#1 Goal keeper: Simone Scuffet (Udinese)

Ever since he made his debut as a 17-year-old for Udinese against Bologna, Simone Scuffet's stock has been on the rise. Although still only 18, the Italian has already made over 15 appearances for his club. Last season, when Udinese were struggling in Serie A and were without a reliable keeper, they turned to Scuffet and he did not disappoint.

Not only did he keep a clean sheet on debut, he went on to finish the season as the club's first-choice keeper even though he hadn't turned 18 yet. Calm, composed and with a penchant for saving penalties, the Italian has already been compared with Gianluigi Buffon, who similarly made his debut as a 17-year-old. Although he still has a few flaws he needs to iron out, there is no denying the potential that will surely see him become one of the world's best keepers in a few years time.

#2 Right-back: Calum Chambers (Southampton/Arsenal)

Versatility is an asset that cannot be overlooked in the modern game. The virtues of being able to effect the game from multiple positions is one of the reasons why Arsene Wenger decided to spend £16 million in the summer to bring Calum Chambers from Southampton.

Although he only turns 20 next week, Chambers has already made over 50 club appearances and also represented England at the senior level. Aside from his ability to play as a right-back, centre-back or a defensive midfielder, the 19-year-old's pace and defensive discipline make him an ideal defender for the Gunners.

He still hasn't established himself in any particular role, but if he keeps improving at his current rate, there is no doubt that he will soon become a regular in the starting XI.

#3 Centre back: Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)

When Marquinhos moved to Paris Saint-Germain for €31.4 million in the summer of 2013, many questioned the club's decision to spend that much money on a 19-year-old centre-back. But 2014 was the year in which he showed the world just why he is regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in Europe.

Playing alongside his compatriot Thiago Silva, Marquinhos showcased his composure and was a reassuring presence at the heart of the PSG side that romped to the Ligue 1 title. Instead of buckling under pressure, the Brazilian oozed confidence and played with an assurance that was well beyond his age. He even scored three goals and won the Toulon tournament with Brazil in what was his most productive year so far.

#4 Centre-back: Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao)

Alongside Marquinhos, Laporte is perhaps the only other centre-back in Europe who can be good as the Brazilian alongside him in this team. Aymeric Laporte became only the second Frenchman to play for Bilbao when he made his debut and has since then established himself as the side's main defender.

His reading of the game and ability to perfectly time his tackles is one of the reasons why Manchester United are looking at him to solve their current defensive crisis. Although he is only 20, he is without a doubt one of the best centre-backs in Europe at the moment. Any side that wants a young, rock-solid centre-back, would find it difficult to look beyond Laporte.

#5 Left-back: Luke Shaw (Southampton/ Manchester United)

Even though he has had problems with respect to his fitness since his move to Manchester United, there is no doubt that he was the best young left-back in 2014.

Whether it was marauding up the pitch and contributing to the attack, or staying back and winning one-on-ones with some of the best players in the League, Luke Shaw showed just why he became the world's most expensive teenager when he moved from Southampton.

Quick, strong and tenacious in the tackle, the 19-year-old has all the ability to become one of the finest full-backs of his generation and he is one player that the Red Devils will be hoping stays fit for the rest of the season.

#6 Central Midfield: Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan)

Inter Milan haven't enjoyed the best of times of late. At the halfway mark, this season, they are five points away from a European place. But if there is one bright spark that has been shining at the club over the last year, it is their Croatian central midfielder, Mateo Kovacic.

The 20-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the side's key players and is the orchestrator of the Inter attack. While his proclivity for a long shot is sometimes infuriating, his ability to pick out his teammates and find the right pass at the right moment is something that very few central midfielders are capable of at that age.

If Inter are to have any chance of qualifying for Europe next season, they will have to hold onto Kovacic who has already attracted plenty of attention from some of Europe's biggest clubs.

Statistics: 4 goals and 6 assists

#7 Central Midfield: Paul Pogba (Juventus)

Alongside Kovacic is another player from Serie A who has been impressing fans all over the world with his play. Paul Pogba almost managed to get into double digits for both goals and assists in 2014, even though, he is primarily a central midfielder. Another thing that many forget, is the fact that he is still only 21.

He is already probably the best central midfielder in Europe and if he keeps up his performances it won't be long before he is fighting for the Ballon d'Or. Ever since his move to Juventus, the Frenchman has proven himself to be not just a midfielder who can get into the box and score goals, but also enjoy equal success in tackling and winning the ball back. Pogba has almost taken upon himself to bring the box-to-box midfielder back into the game and so far, the results have been impressive

Statistics: 11 goals and 8 assists

#8 Central Midfield: Hakan Calhanoglu (Hamburg/ Bayer Leverkusen)

The art of scoring from a set-piece is something that many players simply cannot do. So to see a midfielder, establish himself as a set-piece specialist close to the accuracy of David Beckham is certainly surprising. And for that player to be 20 years of age is even more astonishing.

But to say Calhanoglu is nothing more than a set-piece specialist would be a grave disservice to a player of his calibre, who has quickly established himself as one of the upcoming stars of the Bundesliga. Although he doesn't have the pace to get past defenders, his awareness of what is around him and his innate ability to split defences open with a delicate through ball make him one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders in Europe at the moment.

Statistics: 10 goals and 4 assists

#9 Right Forward: Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo)

Although he only turned 20 a few months, Domenico Berardi already has 30 senior goals to his name. One of the main reasons why Sassuolo managed to stay up last season, was their on-loan striker who simply couldn't stop scoring.

He started 2014 in spectacular fashion as his four goals against AC Milan made him the second-youngest player to score four goals in a Serie A game. It was his second hat-trick of the season and since then, the forward has seen his loan spell extended by another year and has continued to show his parent club Juventus just what they are missing at the moment.

The Italian's composure inside the box, whether it is shooting or crossing, coupled with his terrific link-up play makes him a forward that no defender wants to handle.

Statistics: 12 goals and 8 assists

#10 Left Forward: Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)

Much was made about Brendan Rodgers' decision to give Raheem Sterling a mid-season break. But the simple truth is that Sterling, who only turned 20 last month, played over 50 games for club and country in 2014, which was the year he announced himself to the world.

Capable of playing anywhere in attack, the Englishman has arguably been Liverpool's best player of 2014 behind Steven Gerrard. So far at least, Sterling has taken on the responsibility of getting results for the club upon himself and is starting to repay the faith that Rodgers has shown in him.

With Real Madrid reportedly keeping tabs on the youngster, the Reds will do well to hold onto their prized asset for at least another few years.

Statistics: 14 goals and 9 assists

#11 Centre Forward: Arkadiusz Milik (Ajax)

Described by few as the "next Robert Lewandowski", Milik has certainly taken the right steps in his bid to emulate his compatriot. The 20-year-old striker who has been banging in the goals for Ajax, has shown more than a passing resemblance to the Bayern Munich striker in the last 12 months.

While there are plenty of strikers that can score plenty of goals, there aren't that many, who can create as well as score. Milik's ability to hold onto the ball and make good use of it has been a feature of his game, which is slowly starting to develop. Although he is still nowhere near the level of Lewandowski, if he can keep up his performances over the next few years, there is no doubt that Poland will have another world class striker to be proud of.

Statistics: 14 goals and 4 assists