By Sullivan Harnett
OPINION: The Football World Cup is underway in Russia, with plenty of opportunities for young players to impress on the biggest stage.
This is what these players dream of - representing their country under the bright lights in front of millions around the globe.
Thirty-two teams, filled with the best of the best, will battle for the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
It’s a tournament that elevates players’ abilities and status. It’s a fiery competition that will feature arguably the best two players ever - Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Forget about the results and the predictions for a moment, and focus on the individual brilliance we can expect from these bright young sparks.
Timo Werner (Germany)
At just 22-years of age, Timo has been on the rise since he entered the scene. The top young centre forward has found his stride at German side RB Leipzeg in the Bundesliga.
Level-headed, talented and with wheels to burn, this young striker is the reason for Leipzeg’s amazing start to top-flight football after being promoted.
His ability to find the back of the net has made him a prolific goal-scorer and with lethal counter-attacking ability, the young centre forward is a nightmare for defenders.
His performances for Germany include leading them to a Confederations Cup title, where he also won the Golden Boot.
He’s the new kid on the block, following the path of another German goal-scorer in Miroslav Klose. But ‘Turbo Timo’, with his exceptional speed, will hope to makehis name at the World Cup, as he tries to help his country to back-to-back victories.
Sergej Milinković-Savić (Serbia)
The name is a bit of a handful, but so too is the player. This young man has had plenty of hype recently and it’s not hard to see why.
The 23-year-old gives every game his all, producing wonderful deliveries that even opponents applaud - how can you not.
He is a rare breed for a midfielder, standing at 1.9m, with playmaking abilities comparable to a much smaller man. With unstoppable finishing from outside the box, pinpoint passing, and his ability to get up and head the ball, he is a force to be reckoned with.
He’s a lethal player in the final third that makes any defender quiver in their boots.
The Serbian hasn’t been given the biggest opportunity by his nation with very limited game time, but his club form should give him the boost of confidence he needs heading into the World Cup.
The physical presence and attacking mind he displays is Yaya Toure and Paul Pogba-esque, and with his big frame, he’s a thorn for any defence.
Denis Zakaria (Switzerland)
A 21-year-old that plays far beyond his years, the defensive midfielder has become a nuisance in the heart of the Borussia Monchengladbach midfield.
You get an accurate passer of the ball with Zakaria, a player who aims to protect the heart of the midfield, while displaying great ability to prevent opponents from coming through.
He provides silky skills that help him pay the bills. While he lacks assists and goals, what he does off the ball helps stop teams finding an easy passage to goal.
He’s a humble kid who is constantly learning. His only problem might be trying to reduce the number of yellow cards he gets.
A thorn in any team’s side, Zakaria is an important part of Switzerland’s run at the World Cup. Alongside countryman Granit Xhaka, the midfield is well and truly theirs.
Don’t be fooled by the fact he’s got just nine caps to his name. If he’s given the chance, Zakaria could take the tournament by storm.
Piotr Zielinski (Poland)
A regular for both club and country, central midfielder Piotr Zielinski has built a wonderful career in Italy. Serie A is known as a tactical league and that suits the 23-year-old perfectly.
In the race for the title, Zielinski was at the heart of the Napoli midfield, praised as an heir to Kevin de Bruyne.
Using the experience gained from Italy, the Polish midfielder has delivered similar performances for the national team. He helped them to their best-ever run in the Euro Cup, his team losing to eventual winners Portugal in the quarterfinals.
It’s not a surprise to see the likes of Liverpool eying up the young midfielder. He has exceptional ability and is able to play on both sides of the field.
A dominant World Cup display should see him go from strength to strength. It’s a great opportunity to show his rare ability to put the ball on a tee for the strikers.
Hirving Lozano (Mexico)
Admired by many, this left winger has been name-dropped by Luis Suarez to be his successor at the Nou Camp. A talented player, he’s not letting big expectations get the better of him.
The PSV Eindhoven star has established himself, hitting 19 goals and 11 assists in 34 appearances for his Dutch side this season.
Far from the complete package and yet to compete on the European stage, the 22-year-old plays like his age suggests, with no fear and an eye for goal. A set-piece artist and an accurate crosser, the winger can turn you inside out before you have a chance to touch him.
He lacks maturity in defence, but that’s nothing he can’t make up for in attack, creating goals and assists from anywhere on the park.
He’s establishing himself as the heart of the attack for Mexico and will try to drive the team into the latter stages on the competition. He’s one of the hottest products heading to Russia, so expect him to thrive.
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