The explosive talent of Seydou Dombia is currently causing a stir for Switzerland outfit Young Boys Bern. The Ivory Coast international recently agreed a £6 million deal to join CSKA Moscow at the end of the season on a five-year contract. As the top scorer in the Ivorian league, Doumbia decided to join Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol in 2005, and like all young African players needed time to adapt to a new type of football as well as life off the pitch. With glowing scout reports highlighting his massive potential, Young Boys Bern managed to buy him in 2008 for just €150k. In his first season he started most games on the bench but still managed to score 20 goals and create a further 10, helping his side to second place in the table. They also reached the cup final, only to lose against FC Sion. His outstanding return produced a goal at a rate of every 69 minutes, earning him the label of the next Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for his super sub impact off the bench. In the next season, Doumbia was even more prolific and notched a goal a game as a regular starter in the side. Scoring 30 goals in 30 games, Doumbia helped his side win their first league title for 25 years. With lightening speed, excellent positioning, good technique and shooting and passing abiltiies he has attracted interest from a number of clubs including Tottenham and TSG Hoffenheim. Doumbia who played for the Ivory Coast Under-19 side scored 7 goals in 8 games and is now part of the senior national setup, scoring 2 goals in 5 caps.
The Hungarian starlet currently on loan at Bari first came to international prominence at the 2009 Fifa Under-20 World Cup when Koman helped his country to a third place finish, scoring five goals in six matches to finish up runner-up for the Golden Boot award.The 20 year-old left midfielder is an exceptional young playmaker and big things are expected of the starlet who was born in the Ukraine. Contracted to Sampdoria until 2012, he has a burgeoning reputation as a goal scoring midfielder and his eye catching displays have brought him to the attention of some of Europe's top scouts. After making his first-team debut for them in 2007, he was loaned him out to Serie B side Avellino in 2008 for the whole season where he scored 4 goals in 28 games before joining up with Bari. An intelligent player who likes to dictate play, has an excellent passing range and has been linked with a move to Liverpool.
The Manchester City winger is already a prominent figure at international level and is already a key figure for Slovakia at just 20 years-old. His performances in helping his country qualify for the World Cup and especially his eye catching display against Northern Ireland where he continually tormented Jonny Evans, have confirmed is rising stock level and emerging reputation as one of Europe’s best wingers. Compared to Arjen Robben for his style and willingness to run at defenders, Weiss has all the attributes needed to make it to the top with excellent pace, close ball control and sublime vision. Having made his debut in the 2009/10 season, Weiss found his first team opportunities restricted due to clubs large investment and Champions League push, and was consequently loaned to Bolton for the remainder of the season. Capped 7 times already by his country, he is still expected to make his breakthrough at the Eastlands club.
Hailed as a future star of African football, the 17 year-old striker first came to the attention of Europe’s scouting network after helping Nigeria to the final of the Fifa Under-17 World Cup and winning the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament. With possibly one of the finest goals per minute ratios in Fifa tournament history, Emmanuel consistently came off the bench to score but couldn’t force his way into the starting line-up until Omoh Ojabu’s injury, which saw him thrust into the final where predictably he failed to score. Nevertheless, 5 goals in 221 minutes saw him attract interest from Tottenham and Chelsea who trialed the starlet and are vying for his signature. He also won the Silver Shoe for his exploits and was nominated for CAF's prestigious Young African Player Of The Year award. Currently playing in his native country for My People, Emmanuel is quick, opportunisitc in front of goal and has excellent technical ability.
Described as the new Kaka, Giuliano Víctor de Paula attracted a number of European clubs with his fine performances at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Egypt where he captained his country to the final, where they were beaten by Ghana in a dramatic shout out. His performances won him the Bronze Ball award for the 3rd best player of the tournament behind fellow countryman Alex Teixeira and Dominic Adiyiah. Brazil’s new wonderkid operates in a playmaker role, dictating play and setting the rhythm of his team like an orchestra conductor which is why so many comparisons have been drawn with Kaka. With excellent vision and a precise range of passing, Giuliano oozes quality. The young starlet is currently tied to Brazilian management firm Traffic, which has already placed Henrique and Keirrison at Barcelona in the last two years and the Spanish champions look like Giuliano’s likely destination.
Helping Ghana to win the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt, was towering young centre-back John Mensah who was there to hold it all together for the Black Satellites. A rock at the heart of the defence, Mensah provided stability and solidarity at the back. Proving unbeatable in the air, he was a natural leader who was decisive, calm and strong at tackling. The 19 year-old played for Free State Stars in South Africa for two seasons, but went missing shortly after his country’s triumph. He was recently signed by Italian side Udinese in January on a three year deal where he will continue his football education, similar to international teammate David Addy who signed for FC Porto shortly after the tournament. On leaving Free State Stars, Mensah added, ““I wish I could have left the club with a trophy, but I believe they have the potential to win one in the near future.” He has since gone on to make his full debut for the senior national side where he will look to cement his place as a regular.
The striker signed for Benfica in January 2010 for £2.18m after impressing at the 2009 Under-20 World Cup where he played a major part in helping Brazil finish runner-up in Egypt. In the tournament he stood out from the rest with his ariel ability and clinical finishing ability. Brazil's top scorer in the finals with four goals, he also socred the winner which he memorably lashed home from an acute angle in the semi-final match against Costa Rica. After his eye catching displays, the tall striker was wanted by a host of European clubs vying for his singature. He was perhaps overshadowed by strike partner Alex Teixeira who was arguably Brazil's player of the tournament. Since bursting onto the scene with Vasca da Gama in 2007 and scoring a number of headed goals, his form has been somewhat inconsistent and after losing his place in the first team last year was loaned out to Internacional of Porto Alegre, where he fared no better.
Described as the next Zinidine Zidane, the young French midfielder of Algerian descent has massive potential and is widely regarded as one of the best young players in Europe. Having been turned away by Paris Saint-Germain at the age of 13 due to his physical weakness, Feghouli signed for Grenoble at the age of 16. This season has been a difficult one for Feghouli after playing just six games and has been out of action since October with a knee injury. However, with the 20-year old out of contract in the summer a host of clubs will by vying for his signature with Valencia and Manchester City favourites. Feghouli who can play all accross the midfield is most comfortable as an attacking midfielder. With remarkable technique, he has already been capped at international level with the French U21s and his impressive performances for Grenoble in Le Championnat has seen him linked with the very best in Europe, with Liverpool, Juventus and Manchester United all keeping tabs.
With a crop of young talent emerging in Belgian football right now, Dedryck Boyata is one of the most talented defenders coming through the ranks at Manchester City. Boyata who stands at 6 foot 2 inches, is a defender who was part of Manchester City's 2008 FA Youth Cup winning side and recently made his first team debut against Middlesbrough in January 2010 in a 1-0 win. Despite the super rich club's expensive outlay on a number of the world's biggest stars, Boyata has managed to breakthrough and has been capped up to Under-21 level by Belgium. He was named Manchester City's young player of the season 09/10 for his efforts during both legs of the carling cup semi-final. Roberto Mancini who will be looking for further defensive reinforcements during the summer transfer window, will be keen for Boyata to continue his football education and he is likely to be sent out on loan to a Premiership side for more first team opportunities, with Newcastle and Sunderland linked with a bid.
Described by many as the greatest talent to emergy since Tomas Rosicky, 17 year-old striker Václav Kadlec is one of the hottest properties in Europe. Signing for Sparta Prague in 2008 from city rivals Bohemians, Kadlec has been a regular member of the international youth teams for the Czech Republic. Currently playing for the Under-19 side, he scored 9 goals in 11 appearances for the Under-17s. Already attracting a lot of interest, he is wanted by clubs in England, Spain and Italy, but the starlet has vowed to see out his contract which still has another year to run. By the time he is 19 he could well be ready to move to one of Europe's elite with Chelsea believed to be monitoring his progress. With all the attributes needed for a world class striker, Kadlec has timing, predatory instincts, raw pace and is excellent in one-on-one situations. Kadlec will be hoping to iron out any weaknesses and establish himself as a regular for Sparta Praha in the next year as well as improve his physical precence.
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