Sercan Yildirim
Age: 20
Club: Bursaspor
Country: Turkey
Position: Forward
The 20-year-old has been on the books of the Turkish champions since 2006 and has represented his nation at every level from under-15 up. The striker has already been capped at senior level, scoring twice from five appearances. Yildirim has been earmarked as the Turkish league's brightest young talent and featured heavily in his side's maiden triumph last season. Sercan stands close 1.82m and boasts a fine physique; he is a versatile forward, who can also feature in a withdrawn role and even on the wing. His name is well known amongst the scouts of Europe's elite clubs include the Manchester rivals, City and United.
Douglas Costa
Age: 19
Club: Shakhtar Donetsk
Country: Brazil
Position: Attacking midfield
The 2009 South America Youth Championship winner was a much sought after prospect before his rather surprising move east to the Brazilian colony at Shakhtar last winter. A subdued first six months at the club has segued into a more productive second half of 2010. His explosive turn of pace and very skilled left foot make him an incredibly dangerous member of Shakhtar's attack. Mircea Lucescu has used him on both wings, with his ability to cut inside from the right providing an ancillary goal threat. Still a little inconsistent, but revelling in the liberal attacking environment that Lucescu has created in Donetsk.
Christian Eriksen
Age: 18
Club: Ajax
Country: Denmark
Position: Midfield
Ajax have one of the most fearsome attacking duos in the competition in the shape of Mounir el Hamdaoui and Luis Suarez but the support cast is worth keeping an eye on too. Christian Eriksen, the teenager signed from Odense, is rated as one of the club's best products in recent seasons. He made his breakthrough last term but is set for a bigger role in Amsterdam this campaign. Eriksen is comfortable with the ball at either foot and is capable of finding the right pass to unlock defences. Recently, the youngster has been recommended to Arsenal by Dennis Bergkamp.
Samuel Inkoom
Age: 21
Club: FC Basel
Country: Ghana
Position: Right-back/ Right midfield
Though the versatile Ghanaian shone mostly as a right winger in the Black Stars' 4-2-3-1 formation, it is as a right-back that he has impressed for the Swiss champions. After an outstanding under-20 World Cup, his career has come on in and leaps and bounds and he was a stellar performer for Basel as they clinched the double last term. Having been likened to the Ivory Coast and Arsenal player Emmanuel Eboue, there are still slight question marks over his defensive capabilities, which he will hope to erase in the coming Champions League campaign.
Toni Kroos
Age: 20
Club: Bayern Munich
Country: Germany
Position: Midfield
Back in Bavaria after a fruitful season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, Toni Kroos is one of a number of outstanding young players ready to form the 'new' Bayern. Along with Holger Badstuber, Diego Contento, David Alaba and Thomas Mueller, FC Hollywood have a nucleus of talent to lead the club into the next decade. However, Kroos is ready to deliver on his potential this season. A physically strong midfielder with a keen eye for a pass, Kroos has thus far commanded a starting berth in the enforced absence of Arjen Robben. Featured for Germany at the World Cup, albeit sporadically.
Jack Wilshere
Age: 18
Club: Arsenal
Country: England
Position: Attacking midfield
The latest player to be burdened with the 'future of England' tag, nonetheless, the even-tempered midfielder is taking it all in his stride. He was loaned to Bolton Wanderers last season and made sufficient impact for Arsene Wenger to introduce him to first team football at the Emirates this season. The Arsenal-schooled prospect enjoyed a fantastic youth career and could deliver on his promise this season. A creative presence, Wilshere has the composure of a player twice his age and is not afraid to mix it physically either.
Timothée Kolodziejczak
Age: 18
Club: Olympique Lyonnais
Country: France
Position: Left-back
The defender is part of a clutch of bright young talent on the OL books with Yanis Tafer, Clement Grenier and Alexandre Lacazette also plying their trade at the Stade de Gerland. Kolodziejczak was an integral component of France's under-19 European championship win earlier this summer with a series of responsible, assured performances on the left flank and has previously been linked with a transfer to Manchester United. He could find himself thrust into the Champions League limelight ahead of schedule this season with Aly Cissokho's hamstring injury threatening his participation in the early rounds of the tournament.
Philippe Coutinho
Age: 18
Club: Inter
Country: Brazil
Position: Wide-attacker/ attacking midfield
The Rio de Janeiro native has been described as 'the future of Inter', having been signed by the Italian club in 2008. Coutinho has spent two years in his homeland on loan at Vasco de Gama, where he has steadily increased his reputation as a teenage prodigy. Standing only 1.72m, the Vasco academy graduate is nonetheless sturdy on his feet and is possessed of solid balance. One of his greatest atrributes is his two-footedness; Coutinho's opponents have no idea whether he will go left or right and he is equally comfortable delivering shots off either side too. Coutinho has been nominated by the new Brazil coach Mano Menezes for a September training camp.
Jano Ananidze
Age: 17
Club: Spartak Moscow
Country: Georgia
Position: Attacking midfield
The Georgian was used sparingly during the 2009 season but is rapidly becoming a key first-team player for The Meat this term. Standing barely 1.72m and with the frame of a gymnast, Jano has some problems holding off more agricultural opponents. However, with the ball at his feet, there can be no denying his passing capabilities and vision. Juventus, Milan, Sevilla and Arsenal have all kept tabs on Jano since he first broke into Spartak's first-team ranks. The Moscow based club have their frailties but with Alex, Aiden McGeady and Welliton also among their number, they should be able to score goals relatively freely.
Sergio Canales
Age: 19
Club: Real Madrid
Country: Spain
Position: Midfield
Long hailed as one of the outstanding young talents in Spain, Canales has made the step up from Racing Santander to Real Madrid over the course of the summer. He has been actively involved in Jose Mourinho's pre-season plans following his impressive run to the finals of the Under-19 European Championships with Spain. Along with Angel Di Maria and Pedro Leon, Canales represents the youthful future of the capital club and is already no stranger to the sharp end of Liga action. Last season he scored six times in 26 appearances for his hometown club, including a stunning brace against Sevilla. The attacking midfielder displays excellent technical skills and a delicate touch in possession. He can shoot and pass off either foot too.
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