Best Young Player Award: The Contenders

The FIFA World Cup is often known for producing some of the best that the game has ever seen. It is the World Cup which is the biggest step for players to make the transition from being world-class to becoming greats of the sport. It made the likes of Pele, Johann Cryuff, Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane synonymous with the term legends.
Not only for the established players, the World Cup is also a massive platform for young players to catch the eye in front of the biggest audiences globally. Some of the biggest names have come up through stellar performances in the World Cup in their blossoming years like Franz Beckenbauer in 1966,  Marc Overmars in 1994, Ronaldo (the Brazilian) in 1998. Since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, FIFA decided to have an official award for the Best Young Player. The player must be 21 years of age or lesser at the start of the tournament. Hence every player born after June 12, 1992 is eligible to compete for the award. Here, we look at six candidates who are likely to land the prestigious trophy.
1. PAUL POGBA (FRANCE; Born: March 15, 1993)
  One of the pillars of the French midfield, at the ripe young age of 21, Paul Pogba is a midfielder par excellence. After he left Manchester United for lack of playing time in 2012, Pogba has been an integral part of the Juventus team forming a great central midfield partnership with the likes of Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal which was instrumental in Juventus winning the Serie A this season, racking up 100 points. Described by his former club as ‘powerful, skillful and creative’ and a player who has ‘an eye for goal and a penchant for the spectacular’, Pogba can play in an attacking as well as defensive role with ease. The lanky midfielder has racked up 49 appearances for Juventus in only his second season and also scored 9 goals which speaks volumes of his ability, considering he plays deep in the midfield most of the time. Expected to start almost every game for the Les Bleus, expect Paul Pogba to be a name you hear a lot in Brazil.

2. ROMELU LUKAKU (BELGIUM; Born: May 13, 1993)
  Romelu Lukaku is one of the most promising young strikers in the world who played for Everton this season, on loan from his parent-club Chelsea. Standing at 6’3”, this Belgium international is a massive presence up front for any team and Belgium will be hoping Lukaku can replicate his club form (15 goals in 31 apperances) for the national team. Relying on his immense strength and ability to score with both feet, Lukaku will be a threat for even the most seasoned defenders at the World Cup. And the burly forward has warmed up in style, smashing a hattrick in a warm-up game against Luxembourg, once again reinstating what a force he can be in Brazil. With the Best Young Player Award tending to be given to attacking players, Romelu Lukaku is definitely going to have this one within his sights.

3. RAHEEM STERLING (ENGLAND; Born: December 8, 1994)
  Liverpool are known for producing prodigious talents and the latest in the production line from Anfield is this 19-year old winger. Not one to intimidate by stature, Sterling, at only 5’7”, can burst through opposition defences through extreme pace and nimble footwork. He has more than enough maturity for a teenager, illustrated in most of his 9 goals and 5 assists this season. Along with Alex Oxalde-Chamberlain and Ross Barkeley, Sterling is the injection of youth that the Three Lions’ squad have been missing over the years and may just provide the boost that England need to go through the rounds.

4. JULIAN DRAXLER (GERMANY; Born: September 20, 1993)
    A product of the FC Schalke academy, Julian Draxler first came to prominence when he scored a sensational volley in the 2011 DFB-Pokal Final in Schalke’s 5-0 victory over MSV Duisberg. A regular in the team since then, Draxler has caught the eye with his dribbling ability and the knack of scoring important goals for his team. The 20 year old can play as an attacking midfielder as well as on the left wing although he will have to compete against some of the world’s elite for a place in the German midfield. The Best Young Player Award has been all German till now (Lukas Podolski in 2006 and Thomas Muller in 2010). Draxler will look to carry on the trend in Brazil.

5. RAPHAEL VARANE (FRANCE; Born: April 25, 1993)
  When you are a regular in the Real Madrid starting line-up at 20 years of age, you must be special. Raphael Varane indeed is. The youngster, signed from Lens in 2012 for €10 million, formed a great defensive partnership with Sergio Ramos, unseating Portuguese centre-back Pepe in his first season, which indicates the potential of the 6’3” defender. Outstanding performances against big guns like Barcelona and Manchester United led to Spanish newspaper Marca naming him as a member of "Best foreign eleven in Real Madrid’s history". Injuries have, however, ruined most of this season for Varane, but he is very much in coach Didier Deschamps’ plans for the World Cup. The central defensive partnership of Varane and Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny could provide the much needed solidarity at the back that any team needs for a long stay in the World Cup.

6. ADNAN JANUZAJ (BELGIUM; Born: February 5, 1995)
  Adnan Januzaj was a matter of conflict among many nations early this year after the talents of the Brussels-born winger left all of them wanting him to be a part of the national team. The 19 year old was eligible to play for Belgium, Albania, Turkey, Kosovo and England. It was only in April this year that Januzaj had made himself available to be selected for Belgium. On the pitch though, there was no doubting the boy’s talents. He was arguably the best player in the first half of a dismal season for Manchester United and his skill, trickery and goal scoring as well as setting up ability was there for all to see. Being born on the same day as Cristiano Ronaldo, not to mention playing in the same club and position as the talismanic Portuguese in his early years, Januzaj wouldn’t mind if the similarities didn’t end here itself.