With many midfield starlets waiting in the wings at Barcelona, another La Masia academy star is making a name for himself. Only recently he scored on his debut for Barcelona B in a 6-4 victory against Numancia in March 2011. Making the step up from the Juvenil A team
Espinosa is widely regarded as the next Andrés Iniesta. A different player to that of Thiago Alcântara or Gerard Deulofeu, Espinosa is known for his passing, dribbling, vision and movement. In March, Espinosa was called up the Spain Under-20 squad for a training camp held between the 14th to the 16th of March at the Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas in Madrid. While he will be aiming to become a permanant fixture in Luis Enrique's Barcelona B side, Espinosa has all the makings of a future world star.
While Porto fans may be excited by the prospect Argentine wonderkid Juan Manuel Iturbe, the Estádio do Dragão will soon be treated to the talents of 17 year-old Brazilian Kelvin. The Portuguese outfit fought off competition from a number of European clubs to the services of the Parana midfielder. With a great
left-foot and excellent technique, Kelvin has all the makings of a star of the future. Supported by a good engine room and a good range of passing, Kelvin will arrive in the summer and joins fellow young South American's James Rodriguez and Maicon who are currently making a name for themsleves. With some excellent young talents waiting in the wings, fans will be excited about the future at the Estádio do Dragão, especially under the helm of gifted young coach Andre Villas-Boas.
Dubbed the future of Chilean football and compared to Alexis Sanchez, Angelo Henriquez recently signed for Manchester United in a £3 million deal from Universidad de Chile after impressing at the Under-17 South American Championships. At just
16 years-old the striker who can also operate as a winger has excellent raw pace and trickery, enabling him to go past defenders with ease. Sir Alex Ferguson who is keen to revamp his ageing squad see's Henriquez as an ideal signing to freshen up his Old Trafford academy in the hope of bringing through the next golden generation of talents, similar to that of Giggs, Scholes, Beckham and Neville.
Making his debut for Liverpool against Man City on 11th April 2011 at the age of 18 years-old was Liverpool full-back John Flanagan who has been hailed as the next Jamie Carragher. After impressing for Rodolfo Borrell's Under-18 side last season under the watchful eye
of then academy director Kenny Dalglish, Flanagan has recently risen through the ranks and after impressing at reserve level has been ever present as part of Liverpool's first team squad. Playing with maturity in defence, Flanagan is an excellent tackler of the ball and has an excellent work rate. It is his dedication and commitment to every tackle, every run and every pass why there are so many similarities to Carragher. A consistent performer who is able to get forward and support the attack, Flanagan could have a very bright future at Anfield, especially if Glenn Johnson decides to move on or Tottenham pursue their interest.
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Helping to put Mexican club football on the map was the emergence of Javier Hernández who moved from Guadalajara to Manchester United. Looking to replace those large boots of 22 year-old Chicharito is teenage strike sensation Erick Torres. At just 18 years-old, Torres
who is playing in only his first full season since being promoted from the youth academy has struck 6 goals in his first 11 games, helping Guadalajara to second in the Mexican Primera División. Having been capped at Under-17 level by Mexico, Torres is widely considered one of the country's finest young talents. With excellent positioning and finishing ability, Torres who is nicknamed 'El Cubo' could well find himself playing in Europe in the near future such is his potential and promise he holds.
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Dubbed the Chilean Maicon, Carrasco shone for Chile at Sudamericano and so much so that Real Madrid and Barcelona are believed to be eying up the Chile starlet, who is able to operate at full-back or on the wing. After impressing scouts, the youngster
is expected to be invited to Spain for trials. A relative unknown quantity before the tournament, his name will be on the lips of many fans and scouts after his electrifying performances down the right flanks. Scoring three goals in the tournament and setting up a number for his teammates, Carrasco may be the subject of a move with Audax suffering heavy losses in the transfer market. A future star of the national team, Carrasco has a bright future in the game and has all the attributes to succeed.
At just 16 years-old Andrigo is already displaying the attributes and characteristics needed to make it to the top. A tall, powerful forward with natural raw pace and excellent technique, Andrigo has captured the imagination in Internacional's youth team. His
impressive performances and prolific goal scoring abilities have seen him linked with a number of Europe's biggest clubs, including Manchester United. In 2010, Andrigo finished top scorer in the Copa Votorantim, scoring 5 goals, of which 3 came against Sao Paulo in a 4-0 win. Next up in the Copa Armando Nogueira, Andrigo finished as the top scorer as he did in the Copa Nike Brasil's regional qualifiers. He has recently been making a name for Brazil's Under-17 side in the Sudamericano.
Hailed by Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan as one for the future is wonderkid Juan Cruz Mascia who currently plays for Mirimar. The tall striker who recently turned 17 years old in January is currently regarded as one of the hottest prospects in South America and is avaliable for
just £1 million. Chelsea are believed to be heading the race for his signature and have invited the teenager, who can speak fluent English, over to London for talks. Having finished top scorer of the Under-17 South American Championships with six goals, Masciais on the radar of a number of European clubs. Using his height and physical attributes to his advantage, Mascia can operate as a target man and is good in the air and is devestating in front of goal. Mascia scored the opener against hot favourite Argentina in their 2-1 victory, as well as a braces against Bolivia and Colombia.
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