For every young footballer it is almost imperative to be the best. They attempt to emulate the skills and qualities of players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi — hoping to create a name of their own one day.
In the 2014 summer transfer window there is a special group of players that have their names written in the stars. These are the top five young players making a transfer in the 2014 summer window.
Calum Chambers, 19 (Arsenal)
When Arsenal signed 19-year old Calum Chambers from Southampton, eyebrows were raised about the England international’s transfer price. £16 million is an awfully large number for a 19-year old with only 25 senior appearances. However, so far this season Chambers has shown that he is a player for the future.
The England U-19 captain made his stellar debut for Arsenal against Crystal Palace where he showed off his talent. He’s versatile, he can play right back, central midfield and right midfield if needed. His positioning is great and he’s just excellent all around. He is a very good replacement for Bacary Sagna for now and the future. Arsene Wenger gives him a lot of playing time, something that Chambers will certainly benefit from.
Although very young and inexperienced Chambers was recently called up to the England qualifying squad for the 2016 European Championships. Chambers has received high praise from Gunner teammates; Jack Wilshire and Per Mertesaker. Both saying that he is a very talented player for his age and will be excellent in the future.
Lazar Markovic, 20 (Liverpool)
One of Liverpool’s brightest young stars, Lazar Markovic joined the Merseyside club this summer for a fee of £20 million from Portuguese champions Benfica. Surely to be one of the biggest young talents in Europe. The 20-year old has already won three league championships; one with Benfica and two with Serbian side Partizan Belgrade.
Now with his eyes on a fourth league title; the 20-year old who has been nicknamed “The Butterfly” due to his speed and impeccable dribbling skills, hopes to help his team succeed, internationally and domestically.
Julian Green, 19 (Hamburg)
Any fan of the United States Men’s National Team knows this youngster’s name by now. Julian Green, an 18-years old midfielder, made his USA debut April 1st, 2014 against rivals Mexico. Admired by Jurgen Klinsmann and Pep Guardiola, the 18-year old was heavily criticized for being chosen on the 23-man roster to Brazil. Fast forward to the Belgium game, Green scored his first international goal on his first touch, silencing critics everywhere.
A part of the Bayern Munich first team, Green has been loaned out to Bundesliga club; Hamburg, a place where he will surely receive more playing time than with the German champions. Although he will have to compete for his spot, the move to Hamburg is the best thing for him right now. He will be able to develop as a player, specifically in the attacking midfielder position. The more playing time he gets, the more his skills develop.
Green is a talented player and it is evident that with more playing time he get’s, the more confident he grows. One thing that was noticed immediately from his performance against Mexico in April was that he was not afraid to go one on one with a defender, he would attempt to get into the box.
Overall, he is a gifted performer that will strive for club and country in the future. And the best thing about his future is that he has coaches that believe in him and give him a chance.
James Rodriguez, 22 (Real Madrid)
The breakout star of the 2014 World Cup, 22 year old, James Rodriguez is the player making waves around the world of football as the fourth most expensive player in history with a £63 million transfer fee. Stepping up for his national team when their star man Radamel Falcao was injured, Rodriguez showed that he has the qualities to be one of the best players in the world.
James is one of those players that you see every few years. Now with European champions Real Madrid, if given the chance he will be one of the best players in the world. There is something about James Rodriguez that makes him a special player. It’s clear that he works hard and that he is a passionate player. When he is given the opportunity to be the lead man such as in the World Cup he succeeds and will be the best.
At Real Madrid, he will not be the number one forward, but as time moves on and his skill develops that can change. He will get better and better. He had an amazing World Cup and won the Golden Boot award, but this season will be his most important season. He’s playing on a team with the best players in the world and there will be no better test for him than this.
Romelu Lukaku, 21 (Everton)
Romelu Lukaku is without a doubt one of the most promising young players in Europe. The striker made a permanent switch from Chelsea to Everton in July for a fee of £28 million, signing a five year deal with The Toffees. Last season he bagged 16 goals in all competitions for Everton and starred for his nation, Belgium, at the World Cup where they made it to the quarterfinals.
Although Lukaku is not exactly a teenager, he will be one of the best players in the future. He is at the age where his talented will explode. Right now he is playing in the best league in the world and this is the best development for him.
He’s playing for a good and talented team who treat their fans to exquisite football at times, and the Belgian beast certainly has the qualities to be Everton’s star man in the near future.
Honorable Mentions
Kingsley Coman, 18 (Juventus)
Signed from French champions Paris Saint-Germain to Juventus on a free transfer, Kingsley Coman is certainly a player to watch. At the tender age of 18-years old, Coman impressed in his first match with the Bianconeri. That being said, the young midfielder just turned 18 in June and needs a lot of time to develop. But the way he played against Chievo was very promising and he is clearly at the best place for his development.
Juventus are doing a great job at the moment integrating their youth with their veteran players. If Coman get’s more playing time this season, he will be a star.
Bryan Cristante, 19 (Benfica)
Bryan Cristante was sold to Benfica from Milan this summer for £4.74 million. For the Rossoneri, he made five appearances since his debut in 2011 at the age of 16.
Right now Cristante has a lot of developing to do. It can said that Milan really did not give him the chance. The move to Benfica will be good for him. Benfica developed the likes of Angel Di Maria, David Luiz, Fabio Coentrao and Nemanja Matic amongst many others.
Conclusion
Each of these players possess a quality like none other. Without a doubt each and every single one of these players will be successful in the future. And one of them may even receive the Ballon D’or one day.
But, like every transfer window, a new group of kids come in and show the world their talents. To be young and gifted as a footballer is one thing, but the ability to keep that talent is another.
Keep these players on your radar because they are all going to be something special.
Who was the best teenager to move clubs during this transfer window in your opinion? Who is the most likely to go on and secure a regular first team spot at their club? Let us know in the comments or on twitter @TBRFootball .