Top Ten U-21 Talents by Position: 2013
There are many great young talents in world football but there's a group of eleven that are ahead of the rest. The only way a player gets on the list if he's 21 and under and has 10+ appearances for their respective club. I decided to make up this list with some less known players so they can get so sort of exposure. The formation above is what best fit for the players i chose; it is called the 4-1-2-2-1. This formations was used on many occasions by F.C. Barcelona during the 2012-2013 season. Each player has a skill set that puts them apart from the rest in their position and they dominant when they play. Lets see who makes the list of best young talent of 2013!!
GK: Thibaut Courtois (On loan @ Atletico Madrid) (21 Y/O)
Standing at staggering 6 ft 6 in you would first think Belgian international Thibaut Courtois is a basketball player. But 21 year old shot stopper on loan from Chelsea F.C. is an intimidating figure in the net. This young player is already the #1 for the Belgium National Team, a national side on the rise and has been the starter for Atletico for 2 seasons. His reflexes are world class and for his size he can get to the ground fairly quick. He put on a man of the match preformance in the 2013 Copa Del Ray Final against Real Madrid C.F. The only barrier is another shot stopper named Petr Cech, the current undisputed starter for Chelsea and #1 for 2-3 more years. Will Courtois end up leaving Chelsea and switch the blue for the blaugrana of Barcelona as the heir to Victor Valdes.
RB: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid C.F.) (21Y/O)
When Madrid used the buy-back clause in Carvajal's contract many expected it after fantastic preformances in the Bundesliga. It seemed like a case of misjudgment as he was the 9th best player in the Bundesliga according to who scored;
http://tinyurl.com/n2yna5o. They bought him in as current right-back Alvaro Arbeloa wasn't in good form, Real realized Carvajal was a step up from him. He has great dribbling skills, good pace, and can cross a few balls into the box. Watch out for him as he will be a integral part in Real's defense this season.
CB #1: Kurt Zouma (AS Saint-Etienne) (18Y/O)
At the age of 16 Zouma had a lot of pressure, his first ever game against Bordeaux in a Coupe de la Ligue match. Not only did he start the match but he played the full 90 and his team came out with a 3-1 win. This shows you how composed he is and he can play well under pressure. Many feel he is the next great French centre back, great in the air with a great physical presence. Even current French manager Didier Deschamps has stated that he could be a future captain for Les Bleus. Recently during the summer Zouma won the U-20 WC with France, he and another player on this list dominated competition and lead their team for the win. Will he make a transfer to a big club in the next year or two?
CB #2: Phil Jones (Manchester United) (21Y/O)
Another centre back with exceptional leadership and defending skills is Englishman Phil Jones. Many football fans and analyst feel he will become Manchester's next captain and even England's next captain. With this sort of pressure it seems like he would crack, but it doesn't even phase him. The only thing that has stopped him this past year and a half was a back problem and having knee surgery. Minus the injuries Jones has a great career ahead of him, his versatility helps him too. He can play in the center of the midfield and at right back which shows you his willingness for the cause. Phil Jones is slated for a amazing career and possibly becoming one of the best defenders of all time for England i.e Bobby Moore.
LB: Luke Shaw (Southampton F.C.) (18Y/O)
At the age of 18 Luke Shaw has a great career ahead of him, club and country. During the start of the 2012-2013 he got called up to the first team and never looked back. Shaw shows alot of composure and smarts for his age playing in the tough Premier League, a good trait to have. He made his debut starting the match for the England U-21 National Side in a 1-0 win against Moldova. The left back spot seems sparse for the English first team and in a few years Shaw can grab that starting from semi-contender Leighton Baines. He even showed some loyalty by signing a 5-year contract on July 12th, his birthday. Its no doubt Southampton have a great academy but will they sell their player for the future.
DM: Marco Verrati (Paris Saint Germain) (20Y/O)
When thinking of a heir for the phenomenal Andrea Pirlo one name comes to mind, Marco Verrati. He put in some good preformances for PSG and during the U-21 UEFA Euro 2013 for Italy. For his diminutive size he can tackle the ball well and has great balance too. His passing is at the cusp of world class, which shows at such a young age how good he is. He ended up getting the Ligue 1 title and runners up medal in the u-21 UEFA Euro final, a good pair of silverware for the year. Andrea Pirlo will be looking retire after the 2014 FIFA WC, but will Verrati push him out of the starting lineup.
CM #1: Paul Pogba (Juventes F.C.) (20Y/O)
France has produced some great central midfielders like Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele,and another has been produced in the form of Pogba. It seems like he would be a mix of both but he is somewhat different from both. His talent is immense with confidence that rivals none and the will to win. He is also technically gifted and is very creative in the final third. After leaving Manchester Utd controversially for Juventes some felt it wasn't the right move. But boy did he prove a lot of people wrong with what he did last season. To add to a Serie A title he won he also won the U-20 FIFA WC with aforementioned Kurt Zouma. Pogba would go on to win the golden ball as the best player and capped off a successful summer. Paul will be looking to cement his place as a starter for the French National Team and Juventes, both seemingly there for him to easily grab with his talent.
CM #2: Markus Henriksen (AZ Alkmaar) (21Y/O)
A box-to-box midfielder needs to carry a couple traits to excel at that position. Henriksen is the type of player that is starting to hone his skills and become his country's best player. A surprising pick, but his play shows why he is here and his experience is excellent. He has great vision and has the ability to control the middle of the pitch when he is on good form. At the age of 18 he made his debut for his boyhood club Rosenborg BK and would go on to make 78 appearences for the club. He also made his debut for the Norwegian national team at 18, he is a fixture in the squad and has plenty years to bring his side to the WC.
Winger #1: Viktor Fischer (AFC Ajax) (19Y/O)
Fischer is another young Danish attacker who has made a name for himself the past 2 years as a professional. He was integral in Ajax's 2012-2013 Eredivisie title season and played well in the champions league as well. Manager Frank de Boer grew to trust him as his starting left winger and it payed off, scoring 12 time in all competitions. Viktor possesses a great knack for beating a defender and finding a opening to break away and score. Even though he only has 4 caps for the Denmark national team his experience will grow over time. He will be the player to watch for Ajax in the league and champions league after Christian Eriksen departure to Tottenham.
Winger #2: Bruma (Galatasaray S.K.) (18Y/O)
When Portugal came into the U-20 World Cup they were held high as tournament favorites. Surprisingly they were ousted by a strong Ghana side, but one light shined the brightest and it was Bruma. This young lad tore up defenses from the wing, scoring 5 goals which was good enough for the silver boot. All his goals coming in the group stage which helped push Portugal to 1st in the group. He was a hot commodity on the club level and after a heated affair he ended up leaving his parent club Sporting CP for Galatasaray. This was a surprising move as top clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City were after his signature. Will Bruma become Portugal's next great winger or will he become a bust like Ricardo Quaresma.
Centre-Forward: Romelu Lukaku (On Loan @ Everton) (20Y/0)
To cap of the lone forward is a lad who is on the path to greatness. A huge player with immense balance and great composure it seems hes slated for the big time. After joining Chelsea from boyhood club Anderlecht it seemed like a great investment for them. Romelu has been on loan to two different teams for the last two seasons (West Brom & Everton), each garnering him alot of attention. Many feel what was the reason why he was sent on loan to Everton with Chelsea's current striker problem. But Lukaku insisted himself that he should go out on loan and take the oppurtunity to get better. And boy is it paying off, being the top scorer for Everton and leading the forward line for 2014 WC dark horse Belgium. In the future this young lad will be looking to emulate Didier Drogba and lead Chelsea to glory.
© AaronWilliamsRBSJORNALISM
To cap of the lone forward is a lad who is on the path to greatness. A huge player with immense balance and great composure it seems hes slated for the big time. After joining Chelsea from boyhood club Anderlecht it seemed like a great investment for them. Romelu has been on loan to two different teams for the last two seasons (West Brom & Everton), each garnering him alot of attention. Many feel what was the reason why he was sent on loan to Everton with Chelsea's current striker problem. But Lukaku insisted himself that he should go out on loan and take the oppurtunity to get better. And boy is it paying off, being the top scorer for Everton and leading the forward line for 2014 WC dark horse Belgium. In the future this young lad will be looking to emulate Didier Drogba and lead Chelsea to glory. 
