The other side of the coin. No better, no worse. It was a little more comprehensive than the other list only because there are hundreds of future world stars in the sport of “soccer”. I’m not going to claim that any of the following 9 are going to step into the shoes of a Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, but I do think by the heart of their careers they’re all going to be pretty damn good. And starting from the bottom...
#9 – Mateo Kovacic CM. This is called good scouting. I’m not quite entirely sure how Inter Milan ended up with Mateo, but they must consider it one of their best coups since the days of Mourinho. If we are going to have another Paul Scholes in this next generation of soccer, Kovacic is probably the most likely prospect. He sees the field extremely well. He can get involved in a short passing game or play the long ball game. He supports the attack probably just as good as anyone on this list or even a list of the top world players. And he’s taken his position at Inter (deep playmaker) by the horns and made it his.
#8 – Romelu Lukaku ST. I’ve liked him way back before he signed with Chelsea, but it seems like he got lost in between his form for Anderlecht and Everton. When he started at Anderlecht, he was a threat to score every game, and he was capable of mauling defenders and simply running through them. The first time I saw him play, I thought he would be starting for Belgium for years to come. While his World Cup play wasn’t the greatest, and he’s been a bit inconsistent while appearing for Chelsea, West Bromwich and Everton, anyone that watches the game can see what untapped potential he has, and he could take both his club and national team to new heights.
#7 – Luke Shaw LB. I know that anyone that’s watched Manchester United this year probably wouldn’t think so, but Shaw has amazing raw talent. He was one of Southampton’s best players before making the move up England into the Manchester squad. He should have the left spot on United locked down for years to come, but it has taken him some time to get settled in. He’s got a great burst of speed in him and a decent cross as well. He understands when to get forward and unite with the attackers, and his defensive IQ has improved as well. Once he fully understands the game, he should take that next step into one of the best fullbacks of the new generation.
#6 – Ross Barkley CAM. I’m not sure how Everton keeps finding these gems, but they got their hands on another one, and he could possibly be their best. Everton usually plays him centrally, right behind their strikers and wide players, but his best position could be that of the deep-lying midfielder. His skill set is similar to Michael Ballack’s and he’s probably a little bit better of a dribbler. He can score from range, link up play from either side of the midfield and can even succeed down the wings. A move to a bigger club is likely inevitable, but now is a good chance to see him week in and week out as he carries a lot of Everton’s top 6 hopes on his shoulders.
#5 – Max Meyer CAM. Speaking of great academies, Schalke 04 has one of the greatest in the world. Obviously we know about Mesut Ozil and Michael Neuer, but they’ve built a solid squad based on the foundation of their academy. Now they have another pair of German stars that should probably reach the top level. The first being the 19 year old Meyer. He’s an exciting player to watch, think a little bit of Mario Gotze with bits and pieces of Oscar from Chelsea. He can score from all over the field, but he’s probably even better at setting up other players. He’s best position is probably wide left, but with Julian Draxler over there, Schalke has recently been playing him on the right. It’s probably just a matter of time, but I’m assuming he’ll leap frog Andre Schurrle and Marco Reus and make his claim to start alongside Muller, Gotze and Ozil on the national team front line.
#4 – Julian Draxler LM. Can’t mention the Schalke youth system if I don’t bring up Draxler. I think he’s a bit underrated as he’s come through at the same time as Mario Gotze, Andre Schurrle and Ilkay Gundogan whom have all gotten substantial time on the National team. His position is really crowded there, but I think there is a reason that Arsene Wenger wants to buy him even though he already has Ozil and Cazorla for that role. I think he is different from all other German midfielders as he can win the one-v-one battles and beat an opponent without the passing game. His dribbling is superb, and when he comes in from the left he’s got a good cross or a killer shot that can be insufferable to defend. He’s been lost until January, but I have a good feeling that when he comes back, he’ll be leading Schalke toward a European place once more.
#3 – Paul Pogba CDM. The player that I am obsessed with. He may be perhaps the only player that Sir Alex and I have ever disagreed on, because I thought he was United quality from the first time I laid eyes on him. He brings a broad skill set to the midfield, and can play in various positions on the field. My favorite trait of his though is that he’s so composed on the ball and isn’t afraid to push a defender off of him while maintaining control. Most great midfielders use their vision and passing skills to beat opposing players, but when you can keep the ball and generate space for others; that’s when I’m most impressed. Not to mention he runs like a gazelle, has the shot of a hammer, and can get up in the air like LeBron (google his World Cup goal). Ferguson doesn’t liked to be bossed around, but I think for Pogba’s talent, I would’ve made an exception.
#2 – Antoine Griezmann LW. Quietly, Atletico Madrid has built my favorite set of wing players in all of Europe (Arda Turan being the other one). He really hasn’t gotten any world wide recognition but I think that’s a result of him playing at Real Sociedad prior to his move and being overshadowed by Karim Benzema and Pogba during France’s World Cup run. Madrid may reap the benefits from that. He’s got an Angel Di Maria type quality about him and thinks that he’s better than any defender that he’s about to take on. He’s undersized and a bit slight, but his ball skills are outstanding and he can score the simple goals as well as the sensational ones. The reason that I have him so high on the list (right now I would put him just ahead of Barkley) is that I think he will take the next step this season. Atletico Madrid lost many talented players after their impressive La Liga championship and European Champions League run. Because of the signings they made including Griezmann, he and they might do even better this season.
#1 – Raheem Sterling LW. If someone is going to reach the level of a Cristiano or Messi, it’s going to be this guy. We all know about my feelings for Liverpool. Yet this season I have tried to watch them as much as possible, and it’s only because of this kid. He could be the best the world has to offer by the time the next World Cup rolls around. Think Neymar with a little less arrogance, but a little more initiative. He understands the game very well for a youngster; knowing whether to cross or dribble, shoot or pass and his pace with the ball is probably among the best in the world. If he is given space on a Liverpool counter, there is a chance the ball could go in the net every time. The problem for Liverpool right now is that there is no one else to support him in the attack with Sturridge out, Suarez gone, and Balotelli amiss. A player this high should be able to win matches on his own, but I think when he progresses into the complete player that I know he can become, he’ll be on his own list instead. (Real Madrid?)
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