World Soccer's 50 Most Promising Teenagers

jonathan de guzman wrote:Well I saw overhyped Gregory van der Wiel play half a match today. He was shite.

Shouldn't be anywhere near the top 50.

Luigi Bruins who was MOTM for Feyenoord v Ajax today & had a great season so far, should be in the top 50. This kid oozes class.

The guy doesn't have much pace...but he is just so insane talented..he doesnt even need it! We already compared him with Riquelme...but his playstyle is basically the same!

Im confounded to see van der Wiel didnt got an invite for Oranje yet

There are some very good players in this list, but it's a bit too much orientated biased and orientated on the world cup -17. Some players here have never played professional football, so it's a bit too early to pretend they are in the 50 most promising football players. Another thing, is that it has been made in the U.S, so I don't think it's that reliable.

Of course, it's easy to just check the world cup -17, and say this player played well so that's it he'll be a future star, but what are the odds for that? IMO, a player that has the chance to already play some bits and peaces of a game in a big team and against strong opponents has more potential than a player who played well in so-so level tournament, where the level is equivalent as a third division level.

I’m shocked that Kermit Erasmus is in that list. Not because he is sh!t but I didn’t expect people to know about him.

He played for Supersport United in South Africa, but just recently signed a three year deal with Feyenoord. He was the star of the 2005 Afcon under 17, I guess that’s where people know him from. I haven’t watched him live since he never played any professional football in South Africa, but I have seen him in the under 17 competitions and he looks a real deal.

He is built more like Aguero, but very quick, actually he is more like Walcott but a bit shorter. I expect him to make it in Europe especially if he stays at Feyenoord for long, but I don’t think he’ll be world class but nobody can tell at that young age.

I’m surprised Fey doesn’t know about him.

Extract from the Vickery Column

Just wanted to know whether you have been keeping an eye on the Premier League lately because Anderson has been in sparkling form for Manchester United.

He's the full package, destructive and creative, full of fire and flair, a true box-to-box midfielder.

At the 2006 World Cup, Brazil suffered from the lack of invention in their engine room and, in spite of winning the Copa America in the summer, I still feel they need something more than a pair of 'water carriers' in there.

Whereas Lucas and the other hopefuls are still pretenders Anderson is already keeping an England international (Michael Carrick) out of the Manchester United first XI.

Strength, skill and stamina and still 19 - don't you agree that this guy needs a second bite of the cherry after being given half a chance in Venezuela?
Myles Bailey

In retrospect, Brazil probably wish they had sent him to the World Youth Cup instead of the Copa America.

He obviously will get back in at senior level at some stage. It will be fascinating to see if they use him in the central position that he's playing at United - I only saw the Arsenal game but I had never imagined him filling that role.

For Brazil's youth sides he had been wider and freer, with more defensively minded players guarding the centre.

His versatility will clearly be an asset to Dunga or future Brazil coaches - but will they be brave enough to play him in this position as well as two attack-minded full-backs? Something to look out for.

That's not lrd by any chance?

Hey the guy is speaking sense. Explained his current situation much better than i could have. |It's true the guy has almost everything, and should play for Brazil as a very talented water carrier. As oppose to an average footballer but decent water carrier. He still gets the odd run down the left where he can do a few tricks.

rza wrote:I’m shocked that Kermit Erasmus is in that list. Not because he is sh!t but I didn’t expect people to know about him.

He played for Supersport United in South Africa, but just recently signed a three year deal with Feyenoord. He was the star of the 2005 Afcon under 17, I guess that’s where people know him from. I haven’t watched him live since he never played any professional football in South Africa, but I have seen him in the under 17 competitions and he looks a real deal.

He is built more like Aguero, but very quick, actually he is more like Walcott but a bit shorter. I expect him to make it in Europe especially if he stays at Feyenoord for long, but I don’t think he’ll be world class but nobody can tell at that young age.

I’m surprised Fey doesn’t know about him.

He has the sursame name as a Rotterdam legend...and has the same name as a famous frog...of course he is going to make it.

Anyway he is having an internship with us, and they are quite positive about him. But we remain Feyenoord, so if he is any good then we probably wont take him...

Fey wrote:

jonathan de guzman wrote:Well I saw overhyped Gregory van der Wiel play half a match today. He was shite.

Shouldn't be anywhere near the top 50.

Luigi Bruins who was MOTM for Feyenoord v Ajax today & had a great season so far, should be in the top 50. This kid oozes class.

The guy doesn't have much pace...but he is just so insane talented..he doesnt even need it! We already compared him with Riquelme...but his playstyle is basically the same!

Im confounded to see van der Wiel didnt got an invite for Oranje yet

He will soon.

Don't tell me you are basing his potential on one game

Siem de Jong on the other hand

Hahah, Bruins is amazing! Just look at 0.17 that pass..the vision! 3 Ajax players infront of him!

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=dPMAOCAjsPI

Juego de la Okkas wrote:It was intended as tongue in cheek rather than for real ballack.

denial.

you rate ben sahar. admit it.

L r d wrote:

Hey the guy is speaking sense. Explained his current situation much better than i could have. |It's true the guy has almost everything, and should play for Brazil as a very talented water carrier. As oppose to an average footballer but decent water carrier. He still gets the odd run down the left where he can a few tricks.

Not sure Brasil will ever employ him as one of the sitting midfielders though, perhaps to attacking? Though, if Man Utd mould him into a CM/DM, then maybe they will.

Calidad wrote:

L r d wrote:

Hey the guy is speaking sense. Explained his current situation much better than i could have. |It's true the guy has almost everything, and should play for Brazil as a very talented water carrier. As oppose to an average footballer but decent water carrier. He still gets the odd run down the left where he can a few tricks.

Not sure Brasil will ever employ him as one of the sitting midfielders though, perhaps to attacking? Though, if Man Utd mould him into a CM/DM, then maybe they will.

WHo do they have currently minero and silva? He could play the role they play...but better than them and offer a lot more than they do. He definitly wont be a dm, but his workrate and tackling is of a very high standard. And he offers that balance of a left foot.
He has pace also, would be the perfect player to make a quick tackle/interception, and then start an attack....give it to Kaka dinho or robinho. And at times go on a run himself.

Seems a bit to attacking on paper, but it works as he plays like an experienced player who knows how to be disciplined.

L r d wrote:

Calidad wrote:

L r d wrote:

Hey the guy is speaking sense. Explained his current situation much better than i could have. |It's true the guy has almost everything, and should play for Brazil as a very talented water carrier. As oppose to an average footballer but decent water carrier. He still gets the odd run down the left where he can a few tricks.

Not sure Brasil will ever employ him as one of the sitting midfielders though, perhaps to attacking? Though, if Man Utd mould him into a CM/DM, then maybe they will.

WHo do they have currently minero and silva? He could play the role they play...but better than them and offer a lot more than they do. He definitly wont be a dm, but his workrate and tackling is of a very high standard. And he offers that balance of a left foot.
He has pace also, would be the perfect player to make a quick tackle/interception, and then start an attack....give it to Kaka dinho or robinho. And at times go on a run himself.

Seems a bit to attacking on paper, but it works as he plays like an experienced player who knows how to be disciplined.

Yea I think so. It's an area that I believe is Brasil's main problem (and their lack of a no. 9) but in recent years Brasils DM's (Gilberto S, Emerson, Minero etc) aren't particularly talented ball players, and more often than not make sloppy passes, and offer little to no creativity. Vickery has said that Lucas is potentially the answer to Brasils problems, as he is an energetic player, disciplined enough to hold a midfield, as well someone who is capable of bursting forward and creating - a la box-to box.

Perhaps Anderson can be a similar sort of player. Denilson at Arsenal is another that may perform the role.

Dumitru COPIL (Romania) [Hearts]

Apparently he is a phenomenon at the level he is playing at in Scotland just now.

Should break into the Jam Tarts first team about any time now.

Likened to Hagi

They specifically mentioned in the article that they weren't going to rush him into games, I think he's still only 15.

Mad Vlad will find a way!

The reason he chose Hearts over Celtic is because they offered to find jobs for his parents.

I thought he was 17? Can u tell I read the Wiki article!

Think I will go and buy this edition. I used to buy them every month years ago.

I still have a mag with the 100 or 50 most promising youths from the late nineties.

Will post some of the names up on this board. The guy at the top of the list played for Ajax and never made it!

Ooops...

Nearly forgot. Copil also plays in goals for Hearts youths too! He's a great keeper too and he recently saved a ridiculous number of penalties in goals for them. Oh well, if he doesn't make it as a player he might make it as a decent keeper. Kind of like Jesper Christensen of Copenhagen

They've left Sporting's Adrien Silva out of this list of 50...
In theory, he's Veloso's replacement.

El Tiki Taka wrote:
@ Luso
Have you seen Ibrahim play? (You own him)

Sorry, didn't see this.

No, I haven't seen Ibrahim play at all. I believe we signed a contract with him ever so shortly ago...it was in the papers that he was in Lisboa for that purpose.

I've heard good things about him but that's it. A good signing I'm thinking however; Africa has produced some great talents ...who are really getting their chances in Europe lately... so if Sporting can take advantage it's good news.

I wanted to mention Bruins...but it's so obvious he is gonna make it that he shouldnt be with them promised boys!

Stevlio?
Obertan?
Bostock?
Jovetić?
Leo Lima(Porto)
Kaby?
Freddy Adu?
Altidore?
Defour?
Sunny?

The Bulk wrote:Dumitru COPIL (Romania) [Hearts]

Apparently he is a phenomenon at the level he is playing at in Scotland just now.

Should break into the Jam Tarts first team about any time now.

Likened to Hagi

Hearts did very well to get him.

Apparently both Liverpool and Celtic were very keen on him.

stephen sunday at valencia?

Cesc wrote:

The Bulk wrote:Dumitru COPIL (Romania) [Hearts]

Apparently he is a phenomenon at the level he is playing at in Scotland just now.

Should break into the Jam Tarts first team about any time now.

Likened to Hagi

Hearts did very well to get him.

Apparently both Liverpool and Celtic were very keen on him.

Apperantly he had trials with us for awhile.

anyone know anything about Fabio Paim?

He was a teen sensation at Sporting a few years ago (when he was 14!)

Always used to look for him on Championship Manager.

debaser wrote:i wonder if they've got a similar list from 5/10 years ago, to see how they turned out?

leading up to the 2003 U-17 World Championship the little big names were Freddy Adu, Carlos Tevez, Diego and Fernando Torres. Adu was 14 at the time so it's a bit unfair to compe him with Tevez and Torres.

In 2001 the stars were Sinama Pongolle and Le Tallec with Torres beginning to make a name for himself, Walter Garcia and Jaques Faty were also tipped.

I spose history shows us that these teenage stars often burn out or peak too soon. Portugal's kids of the 90's and the current French stars notable exceptions, but with the current emphasis on kids, and transfer fees seemingly based on potential rather than actual ability we can probably expect to see a higher number of these wonderprospects become credible superstars, while players like Pongolle and Le Tallec still have time ala Cantona and Zidane, but more often than not Nii Lamptey will be the blueprint.

I could talk about this all day, maybe a Gascoigne vs Riquelme or a Pongolle vs Walcott debate needs to begin. Somebody open some wine......

Oh and 10 years ago the names on everyone lips (mouth, not vagina) was Ronaldinho. We've all heard of him.

How was David Villa rated in his early career?

Back in 2001 i knew who Torres was but not Villa.

Now i think most people would agree that Villa > Torres?

Batman wrote:How was David Villa rated in his early career?

Back in 2001 i knew who Torres was but not Villa.

Now i think most people would agree that Villa > Torres?

Piet de Visser, scout of Chelsea and friend of Roman..said during the WC that Torres is the class act and could be the best player in the world. He didnt rated Villa though...he also thinks Alves is a Cr@p player!

Same with Nani.

You are mistaken Cr@p player with not ready yet...

Batman wrote:How was David Villa rated in his early career?

Back in 2001 i knew who Torres was but not Villa.

Now i think most people would agree that Villa > Torres?

Villa was 19/20 when he started to make his name as a fringe player with Sporting Gijon. He's 2 or 3 years older than Torres and IMO Torres has more to his game, although as an out and out goalscorer Villa is the finished article.