Young Kings of Europe: My XI

Europe has produced yet another fantastic season, in domestic and European competitions. We’ve seen brilliant football on a level playing field, and were given proof that the standard of football has been elevated in Germany, thus making it 4 very strong leagues in Europe. Much of this has been created by brilliant young players, and this piece illustrates my best young XI in Europe this year.
There have been outstanding young players that have made this possible, so here’s a list of players that have impressed us this season:

Thibaut Courtois

Dani Carvajal   Raphael Varane   Mats Hummels   David Alaba

Ilkay Gundogan Mario Gotze

Eden Hazard                        Isco                         Gareth Bale

 Marco Reus

Subs: David De Gea, Marquinhos, Matija Nastastic, Marco Verratti, Christian Eriksen, Stephen El Shaarawy, Christian Benteke

Thibaut Courtois

The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, on-loan from Chelsea, took the Spanish League by storm this year, and last year. He’s managed to rack up a record of 37 games, 86 astonishing saves and 20 clean sheets. Standing at an enormous 6 feet 6 inches, Courtois is a clear choice in my XI, and at 21 years of age, he could create a permanent spot for himself in anyone’s Best European XI!

Dani Carvajal

Having recently completed a move which will see him return to his former club, 21 year old Carvajal signed a deal which enabled him to return to Real on the cheap. And with good reasoning. The former Bayer Leverkusen right-back was the subject of endless amount of praise from the club’s sporting director, Rudi Voller. “Real Madrid noticed the outstanding performances by Dani this season, and it was only a matter of time before they exercised their buy-back option” said Rudi Voller and it’s his immense work-rate going forward and helping out defensively which makes him a frustrating opponent for any oppositional winger or full-back. He played 36 times for the club, helping himself to a goal and 7 assists.

Raphael Varane

Where do you start with Varane? Having elbowed out any competition put up by the experienced Pepe, Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane is proof that you needn’t be a huge name, but a player with  huge desire to play football. The Frenchman put in magnificent performances playing alongside Sergio Ramos, and was the hero on endless occasions during in Real’s Champions League campaign. The confidence and faith put into 20 year old centre-back Varane was proven when he was handed the number ‘2’ shirt by the club. A player with a very bright future, Varane already seems to have earnt himself a regular place in defence at one of the best clubs in the world.

Mats Hummels

24 year old Mats Hummels’ quality at centre-back is known and talked about widely around Europe. The German International, who began his professional career at Bayern Munich, was loaned out to Borussia Dortmund, and in doing so, Bayern lost out on a world class, ball playing centre-back, who is also very capable of handling himself as a defensive midfielder. Last season was yet more proof of the world class talent Hummels is, and though coming within inches of the Bundesliga and Champions League trophies, he begins next season as one of the best centre-backs on this planet, and  a regular in the German National team.

David Alaba

2 Bundesligas and more recently a Champions League trophy to add to his name, 20 year old Austrian David Alaba has established himself as one of the brightest talents in football. Another product of Bayern’s 2nd string, he is widely regarded as Europe’s best left-back, of course, it is up for debate, but achieving this status is no easy task, but Alaba has managed to do so gracefully. A regular in the Bayern Munich team, Alaba is another player with potential to fulfill, and if he carries on the form he’s shown recently, he’s well on his way to rubbing shoulders with others in the left-back hall of fame!

Ilkay Gundogan

A personal favourite of mine, at a mere age of 21, German Interntional Gundogan has made his mark in Germany and in Europe. The combative pivot midfielder is another one of the many fabulous talents Dortmund has brought up. He possesses every quality needed in a midfielder, and it’s his effortless dribbles and drive forward and his conscious efforts to be defence minded and intercept or help his defence out that earns him a concrete place in my XI. The sky is the limit for young Gundogan,  a player I’ve always expressed a desire to see at Chelsea. Brilliant player.

Mario Gotze

I’m in for a bit of stick for sticking Gotze in at central-midfield, but it was a desperate measure! Yet another Borussia Dortmund star, the 21 year old German International signed an agreement to join Bayern  recently, for a sum of over 35 million Euros. And that value is something Gotze has earnt himself putting in endless amount of effort into Dortmund’s attack force. His link-up play, ability to dribble out wide, through the middle and pick out perfect passes with ease is his trademark, and at his age, he has a lot to look forward to.

Eden Hazard

Being on a Chelsea based site, we all know of Hazard’s ability. He’s well on his way to paying off what looked like a hefty price-tag at the time. He’s, as Frank Lampard describes it, got the world at his feet. An absolute terror to any defence he’s come up against, Hazard is the spark Chelsea have been lacking from out wide. He does what he does so gloriously, yet still seems to have his feet on the ground, and avoids diving even in a league like ours. At 21, Hazard also has a lot of potential to fulfill, and it is interesting to see how he can improve. I certainly see him being ranked amongst the best players in the world soon, and has made his intentions clear – More goals.

Isco

Another firm favourite of mine, Malaga’s attacking midfielder Isco has been consistent and fantastic for Manuel Pellegrini. The 21 year old Spanish International (capped once) has created a reputation as one of the most feared attacking midfielders in Europe, which forced Malaga to increase his buy-out clause to 35 million Euros. Reportedly being chased by the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City, Isco isn’t shy of bursting through the middle and dictating the game the way he wants to. His clever flicks and ability to seek out amazing passes and creating space has ensured Isco’s place in my XI, and he’s definitely one to watch out for in the coming seasons, especially if his next destination is the Premier League.

Gareth Bale

As a Chelsea fan, it pains me to add a Tottenham player to my XI, but such is Bale’s quality, that he would get into most World XI’s on current form. His burst of pace and his shot power to go along with magnificent technique makes him the best player to come out of Wales since Ryan Giggs. Similarly, Bale loves occupying the left flank, and does most of his business in that position, but is more and more looking to play in the Ronaldo mould, thereby picking the ball up, cutting in and either creating opportunities, or taking himself forward to finish off his fantastic dribbles. It’s easy to deny Bale’s quality, but it’s easier seeing what a difference he’s made to Tottenham’s league campaign. Rumoured to be of interest to Real Madrid, Bale would fit into most attacks, and definitely fits into my Europe XI.

Marco Reus

Another choice I’m going to endure a bit of a flack for. Naturally an attacking midfielder, think of him as a ‘False 9’ in this team, Marco Reus is the 4th Dortmund player I have opted to add to my Europe XI. He’s had an incredible season netting 27 goals and assisting his team-mates 14 times, as well has having a mammoth 218 attempts at goal. The 24 year old German has also managed to play 15 times for his country, scoring 7 goals in all. Another player yet to reach the prime of his career, Reus is guaranteed to add a large amount of quality to any side in the world. He’s certainly one to look out for in the World Cup next year.

Special thanks to:

@SW6Talk
@SERGIO___10
@chelseagirl108
@ConorMcCaughert
@gudstrom
@fashlord
@V_iator
@GayanVinod
‏@FM_Holland
‏@GlynnErnesto
@BlueGeezerSA
@ThirstLord
@JohnMurphy69

Great input, great Twitter accounts to follow!

Thus ends my selection of my European Young XI, let me know if you agree or disagree with certain choices, I’d love to hear your views in the comments section below!