Ones To Watch – Top European Talents

A great thing about football is that every year a host of new young stars emerge on the world stage. We take a look at some youngster who could become household names in 2015.

Simone Scuffet

The 18-year-old keeper broke into Udinese’s first team last season and has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of Dino Zoff and Gifi Buffon as Italy’s next great goalkeeper.

He’s already been called up to train with the Azzurri’s senior squad and is being monitored by the likes of Juventus and Arsenal.

Memphis Depay

Already a World Cup scorer, the Dutch international is still only 20 and it was a surprise when his impressive cameos in Brazil didn’t lead to a move from PSV Eindhoven.

The winger made the three-man shortlist for Best Young Player at the tournament and has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Adrien Rabiot

The PSG wonderkid has grown frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities in Paris and looks set to move in the coming months.

Tottenham and Arsenal had been leading the race for the promising 18-year-old but a move to Roma seems to most likely destination should he decide to leave PSG.

Hector Bellerin

It had been thought the young Spaniard would continue his development on loan this season, but Arsenal’s injury crisis in defence has offered him some unexpected first-team opportunities.

Bellerin has looked impressive and despite Arsenal signing two right-backs in the summer, it’s a position he could make his own in the long-term at the Emirates.

Mateo Kovacic

The 20-year-old Croatian broke into Inter Milan’s side at just 18 and has already won 19 international caps. Kovacic wears Wesley Sneijder’s old number ten shirt at the San Siro and has impressed in Serie A of late, with his stunning volley against Lazio recently earning huge plaudits.

Croatian legend Zvonimir Boban has gone as far to say that he has to potential to be better than he was.

Max Meyer

Schalke’s 19-year-old scored the goal that sent Roberto di Matteo’s men into the knockout stages of the Champions League to cap an eventful year. He made his full international debut for Germany in May and was included in the World Cup-winners provisional 30-man squad.

The teenager has admitted he’d like to continue his career abroad and has been linked with Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Doria

Another former Chelsea target, the 20-year-old Brazilian made a long-mooted move to Europe when he joined Marseille in September. However, his opportunities have been limited at the Stade Vélodrome as he was signed without the consent of eccentric boss Marcelo Bielsa.

The central defender has won one full cap for Brazil but may need a move from Marseille to further his international ambitions. He’ll have no shortage of suitors.

Viktor Fischer

The Danish left-winger has had a torrid 2014, missing most of the year with a hamstring injury. However, he’s due back to full fitness soon and could become the next Dane to use Ajax as a springboard to further success – following the likes of Michael Laudrup, Jan Molby, Frank Arnesen and Christian Eriksen.

He’s already won six international caps, two league titles and the much-respected AFC Ajax Talent of the Year, all of which have led him to being linked with the likes of Atletico Madrid.