The 2015 edition of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup kicks off in New Zealand today, with 24 teams competing for glory. Paul Pogba of Juventus was the star player in Turkey two years ago, and this time out there are plenty of promising young talents who will be hoping to make a similarly good impression. Here are six players to look out for over the next one month.
Kelechi Iheanacho was a key member of Nigeria’s spectacular performance at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Arab Emirates. The Nigerian team won the competition, with Iheanacho being adjudged the most valuable player of the tournament.
Iheanacho it was who provided most of the assists for Nigeria’s goals at the competition, weaving his way into the mind of most fans, who were compelled to hail him for his outstanding display.
His chart-bursting display in the Middle East was not lost on top European sides, who battled each other for the player’s signature. Manchester City, backed the mega-bucks of Sheikh Mansour were the lucky ones to snap up the Owerri-born teen sensation. Because he was not up to 18, Iheanacho was loaned to the MLS, where he was not found wanting as he held his own against more established players.
And as he prepares to spearhead Nigeria’s chase for the elusive U-20 trophy in New Zealand, Iheanacho would be boosted by reports credited to Man City’s head of recruitment Gary Worthington that Coach Manuel Pellegrini will include the Nigerian in the first-team squad.
Iheanacho, 18, scored twice against Manchester United’s Under-21s for the Elite Development Squad in Saturday’s derby win and admitted to M.E.N. Sport afterwards he was prepared to miss his flight to New Zealand, where he will take part in the Under-20 World Cup with Nigeria, in order to play for the first-team the next day.
Like his EDS teammates, Iheanacho was overlooked for City’s 2-0 win over Southampton, however Head of Player Recruitment Gary Worthington insisted the teenager had a bright future with The Blues.
“Kelechi is back scoring goals after his injury. After what he showed in recent games like that against Manchester United, he is very much part of the first-team plans for next season,” Worthington told African Football. After the win over United, Iheanacho gave thanks to coach Patrick Vieira for an important team-talk.
“In the first half I was so nervous to play and I lost many balls,” he said. “It was a big game against United, my first game against them. “But when I went in the dressing room at half-time the coach told me to work harder and be stronger, forget everything and concentrate. So in the second half it was a lot better.”
Godfred Donsah – Midfielder | Ghana | Cagliari
Godfred Donsah has been one of the most talked about young players in Serie A this season after producing a series of impressive displays for relegated Cagliari. A small and agile box-to-box midfielder who cites Michael Essien as his role model, his energetic performances have attracted the attention of a number of clubs in both Italy and England. Juventus are reported to be close to agreeing a €6 million fee for his services.
It is a deal that the Italian champions may wish to conclude sooner rather than later, as interest in the 18-year-old is only likely to intensify if he performs well for Ghana this summer.
He initially made his way to Europe as an illegal immigrant and had worked on a cacao plantation in his homeland prior to doing so. He has already risked a lot and worked incredibly hard to get where he is. In New Zealand, his star may rise even higher.
Andreas Pereira – Attacking midfielder,
Brazil, Manchester United
Andreas Pereira was born in Duffel in Belgium and played under-17 and under-18 football for the land of his birth before switching allegiance to Brazil, the land of his father. He was not involved in their fairly lacklustre qualification campaign but has been called into Rogerio Micale’s squad for the tournament proper after impressing at club level for the Manchester United side that won this year’s Under-21 Premier League title.
The 19 year old made his full Premier League debut off the bench at home to Tottenham Hotspur in March and signed a new three-year contract shortly thereafter.
There are sure to be plenty of clubs monitoring his performances in New Zealand with a potential loan move in mind for next season. A small, two-footed attacking midfielder with good touch and vision, he has all the qualities required to make a strong impression.
Marc Stendera – Attacking midfielder, Germany, Eintracht Frankfurt
Marc Stendera was a key part of the Germany side that qualified for this year’s U-20 World Cup by winning the European U-19 Championship in Hungary last summer. He scored once, provided four assists, including the one for Hany Mukhtar’s winning goal in the final against Portugal, and impressed with his industrious and incisive work behind Davie Selke up front. Selke received the end-of-tournament awards but Stendera was just as influential.
The short and stocky 19 year old then carried that form into his first full campaign in the Bundesliga, where he produced three goals and five assists for Thomas Schaaf’s entertaining Eintracht Frankfurt side. With a neat touch and a good eye for a pass, he will be the creative force behind Germany’s attempt to win just their second ever U-20 World Cup crown this summer.
