There
will always be one Lionel Messi but then there are several youngsters
who may take over from the hugely talented Argentine in the nearest
future, says Bleacher Report
Eden Hazard (Lille)
Lille’s Edin Hazard is the player
everyone wants this summer. He can play on the wings or as a central
attacking midfielder. He can create for others, he can score and he does
it with style.
You start seeing Messi when Hazard runs
with the ball at his feet. His close control at incredible pace is
frightening for defenders across France.
Hazard’s goalscoring numbers have crept
up over his career but have taken a leap this season with 16 goals
during the Ligue 1 season and his first for the Belgian national team.
Junior Hoilett (Blackburn)
No one in the Premier League has as many successful dribbles per game as Blackburn’s 21-year-old Junior Hoilett.
Generally lined up out on the left wing, Hoilett can beat defenders down the line or cut inside and menace them with his shot.
Why neither Jamaica nor Canada (Hoilett
is eligible to play for both) have gotten their act together and called
him into the national team still baffles many.
Neymar (Santos)
Santos’ 20-year-old sensation Neymar is
the most likely “next Messi” as he’s already tied to both Real Madrid
and Barcelona. If he ends up anywhere else in Europe, it will be a
shock. That season.
A more muscular brand of attacking
player than most of the sprites on this list, Shaqiri combines technical
ability with a fantastic strength on the ball.
He popped up on many fans’ radar with
his outstanding performance in the Champions League during a 2-1 win
over Manchester United. He can do it on the big stage and sooner rather
than later, he’ll get a chance to do it more regularly.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made his first
start for Arsenal in January. When Arsene Wenger substituted him in the
78th minute, the home fans at the Emirates booed the move.
High praise indeed for the 18-year-old
but not undeserved. When he’s been on the field for Arsenal this season,
the team looks more threatening.
Most comfortable with the ball at his
feet, Oxlade-Chamberlain dances past defenders and his pace makes it
unlikely that once beaten they get a chance to recover.
Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)
Athletic Bilbao’s Iker Muniain is the
most direct descendant of Lionel Messi’s legacy in Spain. He moves like
Messi; dribbles like Messi and he even looks a little like Messi when
he’s in full flow weaving past defenders.
Muniain has already gotten the call from Spain, making his debut in the senior team this past February.
Luuk De Jong (FC Twente)
Luuk De Jong’s masterful season in the Eredivisie (23 goals in 23 games) means he could be the next big thing.
He walks through multiple defenders in
the opposing penalty area with ease and he hit a magnificent bicycle
kick goal in the Europa League.
Lucas (Sao Paulo)
Sao Paulo’s 19-year-old attacking
midfielder Lucas is highly prized in Brazil that the club have included a
massive buy-out clause in his contract that has so far succeeded in
keeping him at home. But Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United are
all circling.
Lucas will announce himself to the world this summer during the London Olympics.
Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund)
Franz Beckenbauer has stated that it is
not possible to stop Dortmund attacking midfielder Mario Gotze. High
praise indeed for a player who has yet to reach his 20th birthday.
Gotze is incredibly fast with the ball
and can take opponents on one-on-one or even one-on-more. He can pick
the dangerous pass. And he can finish.
He broke into the Borussia Dortmund
first team last season, contributing six goals and eleven assists to
Dortmund’s title-winning side. His form convinced the national team
staff and Gotze made his debut for Germany in November 2010.
The player has continued his great form this season despite injury limiting his appearances.
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