U-20 World Cup: 15 Names You Need to Know Who Could Be Playing for Your Club

An Oscar winning performance sealed Brazil's fifth FIFA U-20 World Cup, and this was without Neymar and Lucas in the squad. 

I was confused as to why FIFA scheduled the tournament right before the start of the European season. 

Scheduling it four weeks after the European season, club have no excuses in barring their youngsters a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The very same opportunity Diego Maradona, Robert Prosinečki, Roberto Carlos, Luís Figo, Lionel Messi and Sergio Agüero experienced.   

What transpired was England bringing out a C team, and sending the message that their best youngsters were better off training and playing with seasoned professionals in the EPL then being flown over to Colombia.

Credit to manager Brian Eastick who with a limited squad managed to pull of a Switzerland in qualifying for the next round without scoring or conceding a goal. 

Also with smaller teams, the likes of Australia were without Brent McGrath, Mathew Leckie and Steven Lustica—not helpful for a developing nation. 

The makeup of the Spanish team once again reinforced the philosophy of La Masia with a heavy presence of Barcelona player in the first team.

There were only two Real Madrid players, which speaks volumes given manager Julen Lopetegui managed Real Madrid B a few seasons back.

Enough of my ramblings, here are 15 names you have to know because they could be playing for your club in the future.   

• Age: 19
• Position: Left winger
• Club: Utrecht

What was so disappointing about Australia's performance was that this batch of youngsters are perhaps the golden generation of Australian football.

So many talented youngsters who have a future not in the A-League but in some of best leagues in Europe.

Whilst Australia's results were disappointing, the performances of Kerem Bulut and Tommy Oar gave Australians some respite. 

Oar in particular was excellent as he kept the Socceroos in the FIFA World Cup with an astounding free kick. 

• Age: 20
• Position: Forward 
• Club: Lyon

Alexandre Lacazette's short career so far can summed up in two words: impact sub.

Every game he has played for Lyon has been off the bench.  

I recall watching him have an astounding game off the bench against Benfica in last season's UEFA Champions League. 

During the World Cup, every time Lacazette came off the bench, France looked more dangerous. 

The Frenchmen finished with five goals and one assist in seven games, playing an average of 50 minutes a game.  

• Age: 18
• Position: Forward 
• Club: * Free agent 

Nigeria played some exhilarating football and Edafe Egbedi was one of their best players.  

What's unbelievable is that he is unattached right now.

He had an excellent World Cup with energetic performances on the wings, at times causing nightmares for the opposing full back.    

• Age: 20
• Position: Right back
• Club: Celta Vigo

Hugo Mallo's cavalier like wing play demonstrates not only his indefatigable endurance but this willingness to attack, attack and attack. 

It's unfortunate Mallo's career coincides with Sergio Ramos because it's unlikely Mallo will get much minutes in the Spanish senior team. 

With Celta Vigo in the Segunda División, it's a good opportunity for Mallo to make a name for himself. 

What's remarkable about Mallo was that he even the best right back in the World Cup.  

• Age: 18
• Position: Forward 
• Club: VVV-Venlo

What a buy from VVV-Venlo, who also discovered Keisuke Honda. 

The name on everyone's lip when previewing the Nigerian team was Sani Emmanuel but he hardly played, whereas Ahmed Musa looked the goods.    

• Age: 20
• Position: Defensive midfielder 
• Club: Le Havre

An unflappable character in midfield, Gueïda Fofana also showed great leadership to motivate his fellow Frenchman to overcome the attacking, entertaining and more dangerous Nigerian team.

Fofana will be hoping his career pans out like Lassana Diarra as opposed to Didier Digard; all three were produced by Le Havre.    

• Age: 20
• Position: Forward 
• Club: Porto 

James Rodriguez dealt with the pressure of a big reputation and playing at home very well, and dominated to the extent, that it was clear he was man playing among boys. 

• Age: 20
• Position: Right back
• Club: Porto

One of the most expensive players in the tournament, Danilo's performances should given Porto a lot to smile about. 

Just continues with the fantastic tradition of marauding Brazilian right backs in Djalma Santos, Carlos Alberto, Cafu, Dani Alves and Maicon. 

With Maicon fading, Alves getting older, there is no doubt in my mind that Danilo will make the right back position his own.   

• Age: 18
• Position: Left winger
• Club: Colón

I didn't know the name of Carlos Luque, but I do now. 

Previewing this Argentinian side, you looked towards the likes of Erik Lamela, Juan Manuel Iturbe and Facundo Ferreyra.

Yet it was Carlos Luque's incisive runs that caught my attention. 

At just 18, he seems to have a bright future with him but has yet to cement a position at Colón.   

• Age: 19
• Position: Forward 
• Club: Arsenal

£1 million? Seriously? 

This has Nicolas Anelka written all over it because remember Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger bought Anelka for just £500,000. 

I think the Australians will remember Joel Campbell for rest of their lives as he tore through the Australians. 

Some people have likened his dribbling to Robin van Persie, I think Arjen Robben would be a more accurate comparison.  

• Age: 19
• Position: Attacking midfielder
• Club: Internacional

Everyone had joy tweaking his or her headlines to Oscar winning performance after the Brazilian scored a scintillating hat-trick. 

Before grabbing those headlines, Oscar was a source of creativity in the midfield contributing three assists.  

• Age: 20
• Position: Goalkeeper
• Club: Benfica

585 minutes without conceding a goal. Mika was outstanding and was a pivotal factor in Portugual's run to the finals.

Benfica's first choice goalkeeper from last season, Roberto signed for Zaragoza a month ago, so it's Mika's time to shine.  

• Age: 20
• Position: Centre midfielder 
• Club: Guadalajara

Hailing from the same club as Chicharito,  Jorge Enríquez's quality in midfield is reminiscent of compatriot Gerardo Torrado.

Unlike Torrado, Enríquez has a stronger presence in midfield.   

• Age: 20
• Position: Forward 
• Club: Benfica

Nélson Oliveira reminds me a lot of Málaga's Eliseu: speedy, direct and effective.

Interestingly Oliveira has yet to make his debut for Benfica. 

A standout at youth level, can he make the transition into senior football?  

• Age: 20
• Position: Forward 
• Club: São Paulo

What a tournament from Henrique who wasn't an automatic starter in Ney Franco's squad. 

A classy operator, the question isn't whether Henrique can make the step up; it's if he has the right mentality for senior football. 

Technically there is no doubt he'll flourish, but like the past five Brazilian Golden Ball winners in the Under-20 World Cup; he's not a can't miss prospect and his career highlight may just be confined to youth football.

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