What they lack in experience, they more than make up for with an abundance of talent!
(L-R) Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandr Golovin and Hirving Lozano (Photos: AFP)
While the club season may have come to a close much to the chagrin of fans, there is still plenty of top-drawer football action to be witnessed this summer.
All eyes will be on Russia, where the pre-cursor to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the 2017 Confederations Cup is being held.
So while everyone knows the big stars, who are the next big things that are likely to dominate world football for the next decade or so? The Statesman has selected the six best starlets that are primed to set Russian pitches alight with their displays. An interesting coincidence, all the young guns are 21 years old.
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Billed as Russia’s next big star, Golovin has been making waves with CSKA Moscow. So much that Arsenal are reportedly chasing the midfielder’s signature. His performances for the hosts may justify or end those rumours. But, the hosts will be wary of heaping too much pressure on him after seeing the likes of Alan Dzagoev fade out after bright starts.
Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly said: “Portugal are in good hands when I retire because we have Andre Silva.” High praise indeed, but early signs from the new AC Milan signing are very encouraging indeed. At the international level as well as the club level, the 21-year-old has an impressive goal-scoring record and if he can share the burden with Ronaldo, Milan’s transfer will suddenly start looking like a bargain.
A typical inverted winger, the diminutive Lozano has a dangerous right-foot which means when he cuts in from the left wing, goalkeepers best be prepared for a cannon. Plying his trade for Liga MX side Pachua, the 21-year-old has a very good scoring record at club level and perhaps that is why the likes of PSG and Manchester City are said to be interested.
The Indomitable Lions seem to have a glut of bright, young goalkeepers currently. And, while Ondoa’s cousin Andre Onana (Yes, it’s true!) has been impressive for Ajax, the Sevilla B shot-stopper is Cameroon’s first-choice between the sticks. At 21, there is plenty of upside and the 6’1 Ondoa has a long career ahead of him.
Considered by many to be Philip Lahm’s heir for Germany and Bayern Munich, the Confederations Cup is the perfect stage for the versatile Kimmich to truly announce himself. The 21-year-old was impressive for Bayern last season and with the Die Mannschaft sending out an inexperienced team to Russia, Kimmich will to have seize the bull by the horns.
One of the stars in RB Leipzig’s meteoric rise in the Bundesliga, Werner was in sensational goal-scoring form last season. While still a relative newbie to the national set up, Werner possesses all the skills set to terrorise opposition defences in Russia and with a impressive midfield behind him, he is a dark horse to claim the Golden Boot.
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