Lee Chung-Yong (South Korea)
Although only 21, Lee Chung-Yong was extremely influential for Suth Korea in their successful seventh consecutive qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, proving to be one of the standout players in the team.
Despite his young age his presence on the field was that of a seasoned veteran often using his pace and exuberance to attack down the right flank with deadly intent.
As a right winger much is expected of Chung-Yong, both in attack and in defence, and he has yet to disappoint since making his national debut in May 2008 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification match against Jordan.
He has also proved prolific in front of goal and managed to net his first goal for his country three months after his debut in September 2008 against Jordan.
Chung-Yong’s talent has been visible from a very early age and he was even named as one of the top 50 rising stars in football by the British media in January 2009.
Currently he plays for Bolton Wanderers where he has been a revelation for them with his significant attacking presence and dribbling prowess. His impressive season at Bolton has even sparked rumours that he may sign for Liverpool next season.
Eren Derdiyok (Switzerland)
Eren Derdiyok announced himself to the football world in February 2008 when he made his international debut for Switzerland as a second half substitute against England at the Wembley Stadium in London.
Virtually, with his first touch off the ball he managed to equalise for his country writing his name in the headlines and hence launching his stardom.
Nonetheless, prior to that he was on the minds and in the sights of some of the best football coaches around the world. At six foot three inches tall, the 21 year old is powerful striker with an eye for goal.
Moreover, he is a versatile player who is able to play in the centre-back position as well.
However, that is not what he is renowned for; he is known more for his goal scoring abilities which have been evident from a very early age especially at the international youth level having scored seven goals in seven games for Switzerland U-19 and seven goals in five games for Switzerland U-21.
Currently he plays his club football for Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga where he has proven to be a thorn in many a team’s side.
Christian Eriksen (Denmark)
Christian Eriksen, at the age of 18, is one of the rising stars in Danish colours having made his international debut for Denmark in March 2010 against Austria to become Denmark's third youngest full international.
If there is one thing Denmark are famous for it is producing world class attacking midfielders and this boy is no different often being compared to the likes of the Danish legend Michael Laudrup.
Voted as Danish U-17 Talent of the Year in 2008 and currently playing for Ajax Amsterdam in the Dutch league, he is likely to set the world alight at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
His biggest asset is his ability to read a game and often produce that killer pass that leads to a goal, not to mind the venomous shot that he also packs in his skills arsenal.
Gervinho (Ivory Coast)
Gervinho (Gervais Yao Kouassi) is an African star for the future and is being touted by many to fill the shoes of Didier Drogba when he retires.
This 22-year-old striker has all the attributes of a top international and has proved his worth in recent times, none more so than for his club Lille in the French Ligue 1.
In his time at Lille Gervinho has really developed and grown as a player and is currently amongst the top goal scorers in Ligue 1.
If he manages to translate his club form onto the world stage he will certainly prove a tricky character for defences to deal with come World Cup time.
For his country he has starred for the Ivorians at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, scoring one goal and setting up two others against Serbia to prove his all-round abilities, and scored twice in three substitute appearances in the 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Although he may not have featured as much as he would have liked to at the African Cup of Nations earlier this year, he still managed to grab a goal in the 3-1 win over Ghana showing his prowess in front of goal.
Marko Marin (Germany)
Marko Marin is one of many talented young Germans coming through the footballing ranks, but he manages to stand out a little more than the rest due to his playmaking attributes and his ability to attack with flair and pace.
He is also a very versatile player who is able to perform well in the playmaking role in the centre of midfield or as a winger where he uses his pace and skills to beat his markers.
Having been a constant in the international youth structures of Germany he is just breaking into the German first team and starting to stake his claim as a possible regular.
He made his debut for Germany in May 2008 in a 2-2 draw against Belarus.
Later that year in August he made his second appearance for his country and scored his first goal in a friendly match against Belgium.
Currently the 21-year-old plays his club football in Germany for Werder Bremen and is definitely one to watch come the 2010 World Cup.
Takayuki Morimoto (Japan)
Takayuki Morimoto is one striker who is used to breaking records and he demonstrated this from a very early age. On 13 March 2004, Morimoto made his J. League debut for Tokyo Verdy 1969 at the tender age of 15 years, ten months and six days, a league record for the youngest player ever to play.
He scored his first goal a couple of months later, two days before his 16th birthday, adding another league record for youngest goal scorer.
For his performances that year Morimoto captured the J. League Rookie of the Year Award for the 2004 season.
After another two spectacular seasons in the J. league, where his strength and striking in front of goal made him famous, the 22-year-old moved to the Italian Serie A with Catania where he has sparkled ever since scoring on his Serie A debut against Atalanta.
However, despite his impeccable talent and deadly touch in front of goal he only made his international debut for Japan in October 2009 coming on as a substitute.
Then, only four days later, as if to prove a point Morimoto scored his first goal for his country in his first start in a 5-0 win over Togo.
Nicolas N'Koulou (Cameroon)
Nicolas N'Koulou is a tough-as-nails, up and coming African defender who plays his club football in France for AS Monaco in Ligue 1.
There he has demonstrated his admirable qualities which have seen him become an important part of the Monaco outfit.
Furthermore, this 20-year-old defender has been groomed for greatness having began his football career at the Kadji Sports Academy in Douala: the same academy that produced the likes of Samuel Eto'o, Carlos Kameni, and Eric Djemba-Djemba.
N’Koulou does not plan to disappoint and has been in fine form of late. On the international front he made his Cameroonian debut in November 2008 against South Africa.
Prior to the African Cup of Nations earlier this year the young defender was not a regular in the Cameroonian side, but he managed to change that and made himself a constant entity among the back four at the 2010 African Cup of Nations playing every minute of every match.
As a youngster N’Koulou has no fear and never shies out of a 50/50 tackle. He is a hard-tackling, no-nonsense defender who gives 100 percent whenever he is on the pitch and one thing is for sure: he is not short on talent and is going to be one of the Cameroonian stars of the future.
Alexis Sánchez (Chile)
Alexis Sánchez is certainly a talent for the future and could in fact break out at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Currently playing his club football for Udinese in the Serie A he is known as ‘El Niño Maravilla’ (The Wonder Boy).
He has been nicknamed for his phenomenal skills, trickery and flair which the fans have grown to love.
His talent was further emphasized when he was named by World Soccer Magazine as one of the 50 Most Exciting Teenagers in the world game.
Aside from his natural ability the 21-year old is very technically gifted and is versatile enough to play a number of roles on the pitch, i.e. he can play as a winger, an attacking midfielder or as a striker.
Sanchez is also a key figure for his national team making his Chilean debut in April 2006 at only 17 years of age. Since then he has become a prominent fixture in the Chile side and will prove vital for them at the World Cup in South Africa.
Miroslav Stoch (Slovakia)
Miroslav Stoch is a 20-year-old Slovakian professional footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Dutch Eredivisie club FC Twente on loan from English Premier League side Chelsea.
Stoch still has a lot to learn but the fact that Chelsea have him on their books and will not release him means he certainly has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in the world.
The youngster is known for his incisive runs, crossing ability, and one-on-one finishing with the goalkeeper.
And the fact that he is accomplished with either foot and with a low centre of gravity, he can play as a second striker or out wide in a front three, where he enjoys taking defenders on and shooting.
Stoch made his senior international debut for Slovakia in February 2009 against Ukraine, where he came on as a second half substitute. His first international goal for his country came against San Marino in a 2010 World Cup Qualification match in June 2009.
Carlos Vela (Mexico)
Carlos Vela is no stranger to victory having won the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship with Mexico and finishing as the top scorer with five goals.
Currently he plays as a striker for Arsenal in the English Premiership which is arguably the best league in the world.
Vela’s talent was never in question and has been on display since joining the London based club.
The 21-year-old made his competitive debut for Arsenal in August 2008 in their Premier League match against Newcastle United, coming on as a substitute.
In his full debut in September 2008 against Sheffield United in the League Cup, Vela scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 win, with his second goal recently voted as one of Arsenal's 50 greatest goals.
Vela made his full international debut for Mexico in September 2007 in a friendly against Brazil. Then in October 2007, Vela scored his first senior international goal for Mexico in a friendly against Guatemala played in Los Angeles. He is certainly one to watch out for in the World Cup.
Comments
Post a Comment