Jack Butland
Position: GoalkeeperClub: Birmingham City
Country: England
Age: 19
Jack Butland has hardly set the world alight on the domestic stage.
Apart from making one appearance for his current club, Birmingham City, in England's second tier, he has only really gotten a taste of first-team football whilst on loan at League Two side Cheltenham Town—hardly the bastion of world talent.
However, his is a name that has long been on the lips of British scouts due to his increasingly long list of impressive performances for his national youth teams.
Since the age of 15, he has represented his country at all age-group levels, most notably earning an unprecedented first cap for Roy Hodgson's England team in a recent friendly with Italy.
At the London 2012 Olympics, he displayed an assurance and confidence beyond his years, at times single-handedly keeping the British side in games with his acrobatics and lightening-quick reactions.
According to reports, he has been linked with a move at one time to Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle, but it seems that Liverpool are currently the No. 1 contenders for his signature
Raphael Varane
Position: Centre-backClub: Real Madrid
Country: France
Age: 19
As one of the jewels in Real Madrid's already glittering crown, Raphael Varane may just be the most high-profile player on this list.
A €10 million transfer from Lens last summer, Varane's impact at the Spanish club last season was very impressive considering his age—for Jose Mourinho to trust the teenager enough to play him 15 times in all competitions shows just how highly rated he is at the Bernabeu.
For a defender, his skill and composure on the ball is exemplary. Not afraid to throw himself about, Varane's timing when making tackles also sets him well ahead of his years.
If his development continues on its current path, Raphael Varane is sure to become one of the top central defenders in world football within the next few years.
Raheem Sterling
Position: WingerClub: Liverpool
Country: England/Jamaica
Age: 17
The youngest and least experienced player in the team, Raheem Stirling's inclusion is based on the promise he has shown in Liverpool Reserves games and for England's U17 team.
Last season, the Reds' previous manager, Kenny Dalglish, saw enough promise to give the flying winger his first-team debut, making him the second-youngest player to put on the shirt.
Although it is doubtful he will break into new boss Brendan Rodgers' team this year, Sterling is an invaluable asset for the club going forward and will surely electrify the Anfield faithful for years to come.
He is lightening quick, has excellent balance and awareness and is capable of unleashing a powerful long-range shot at goal.
Having scored in a preseason friendly earlier this month, Rodgers was quick to praise the 17-year-old.
"His movement off the ball was very impressive—he’s made a great run and Jose played a terrific pass, and the rest was that imagination and creativity that I love when he cut inside and scored with a wonderful finish," he told reporter
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