2016-10-23

Renato Sanches has won the Golden Boy award for Europe’s best young player, pipping England international Marcus Rashford for the prize.

The Portugal midfielder, still just 19, won a European Championship this year – the first in his nation’s history – to go with a Portuguese league title. He earned himself a big-money move to Bayern Munich in the summer and is going about establishing his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

Rashford, who burst onto the scene with a brace in the Europa League knockout rounds in February, had a sensational first few months in the Premier League and won a place in the England squad for Euro 2016.

He broke a host of records, including becoming United’s youngest scorer in European competition – beating George Best – their third-youngest in the Premier League and the youngest in a Manchester derby.

He signed a new deal with the club in May, on the back of helping United to an FA Cup win, and is still just 18.

Kingsley Coman, Sanches’ clubmate in Munich, completed the podium.

Who they beat: The Golden Boy 2016 shortlist

Dele Alli, Tottenham

The English midfielder broke through under Mauricio Pochettino in a box-to-box role and has since been refined in a more advanced position behind Harry Kane.

Tremendous energy, neat passing and a real eye for goal with the stunning control, swivel and volley against Crystal Palace his highlight from last season.

Marco Asensio, Real Madrid

The beneficiary of Zinedine Zidane’s disdain at the start of the season for James Rodriguez and Isco.

The 20-year-old burst on to the scene with an eye-catching display in Real’s Super Cup win over Sevilla, which included a 25-yard scorcher that flew into the top corner.

Leon Bailey, Racing Genk

The Belgian Young Footballer of the Year, Leon Bailey is creating waves with Genk in the Jupiler Pro League.

Previously an illegal immigrant who left the country, Bailey then returned to become one of the finest talents in Belgium and is now catching the eye of Manchester City.

Riechedly Bazoer, Ajax

With flattering comparisons to legendary Dutch international Frank Rijkaard, Riechedly Bazoer is comfortable at the base of the Ajax midfield.

Despite neat passing and excellent technique, his strength and power has allowed him to flourish in a box-to-box role too.

Gabriel Boschilia, Monaco

The Brazilian enjoys playing behind the striker with more dynamism than the guile and craft usually associated with a No.10.

The 20-year-old enjoyed a spell with Standard Liege last season but is back with Monaco this term.

Julian Brandt, Bayer Leverkusen

A speedy winger with an eye for goal, Brandt is one of Germany’s finest talents.

The Leverkusen star featured for Die Mannschaft earlier this year as they claimed Olympic silver, chipping in with eight assists.

Carlos Fernandez Luna, Sevilla

A home town kid who has just struck his first goal for Sevilla in a 2-1 win over Las Palmas.

Kevin Gameiro’s departure hands the 20-year-old an opportunity to break through under Jorge Sampaoli.

Andreas Christensen, Borussia Monchengladbach

With Chelsea’s defensive woes, Christensen’s loan move makes little less as he continues to thrive with Die Fohlen.

Adept on the ball and capable of playing out from the back, the young Dane is an outstanding modern centre-back.

Kingsley Coman, Bayern Munich

Despite his youth, Coman has gathered league titles in France, Italy and now Germany, with his latest spell at Bayern allowing him to make great strides under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.

The French starlet’s speed and quick feet makes him one of the most outstanding wide players in Europe already.

Ante Coric, Dinamo Zagreb

The next in a line of diminutive Croatian playmakers and compared to Luka Modric, Coric has soft feet and glides across the pitch.

Having fallen out with manager Zelijko Sopic and with links to Liverpool, his big move is imminent.

Mahmoud Dahoud

Tenacious in the tackle and embarrassed Sergio Busquets recently before launching a counter-attack to put Gladbach one up against Barcelona.

Liverpool have been linked, but that list of suitors will grow larger in the months ahead.

Diawara Amadou

One of Serie A’s finest talents that Napoli did very well to snap up this summer from Bologna.

Powerful and neat in possession, could become a dominant force in the years ahead.

Danilo

The Brazilian holding midfielder is now at Benfica having also been on loan at Valencia.

After coming through at Vasco, the 20-year-old has gone right through the Brazil youth set-up.

Moussa Dembele, Celtic

A sensation since Brendan Rodgers acquired him from Fulham, Dembele already has 12 goals this season for the Hoops.

A double against Manchester City only highlighted his talent further with the likelihood that he will not hang around at Celtic for long.

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Ousmane Dembele, Borussia Dortmund

A genuine contender for this award after Borussia Dortmund beat out competition from almost every big club in Europe to prize him away from Rennes.

Searing pace, lighting-fast feet and a cool head in front of goal, the French attacker has the ability to become a superstar.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, AC Milan

The most outstanding young goalkeeper in Europe and the youngest Italy international for over 100 years.

Calls for him to succeed Gianluigi Buffon already at such a young age will reveal perhaps the only thing left in doubt to become a goalkeeping great: character.

Breel Embolo, Schalke

The Swiss starlet left FC Basel in the summer to join German side Schalke, for a fee in excess of £16million.

Just 19, the multi-functional forward can play down either flank or through the middle, and looks set to be a mainstay for the Swiss national side for the next decade – having already claimed 15 caps.

Gabriel Barbosa, Inter Milan

Having won Olympic gold in early August, ‘Gabigol’ left boyhood club Santos to join Italian side Inter, as they eye a new era in Milan under Frank de Boer.

The left-footed striker joined the Nerazzurri for £25million, having made his senior Brazil bow earlier in the year. Has already scored twice for the Selecao, in four games.

Alexsandr Golovin, CSKA Moscow

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has emerged as arguably the brightest youngster emerging at CSKA Moscow, and the Army Men are pinning their hopes on Golovin leading them in the coming years.

Technically astute, he’s made eight appearances for his country in the last 16 months or so and showed glimpses of his quality in their ill-fated Euro 2016 campaign.

Goncalo Guedes, Benfica

The 19-year-old is a homegrown product, having joined Benfica’s youth system at the ago of eight.

Having broke into the team in 2014, there are now high hopes for Guedes that he can become the creative fulcrum of the side, following Nico Gaitan’s summer switch to Atletico Madrid.

Demarai Gray, Leicester City

After impressing with Championship side Birmingham, having become a regular in the side as an 18-year-old, Gray joined Leicester in January and helped himself to one of the most unlikely Premier League winners’ medals in history.

A fleet-footed winger capable of bamboozling fullbacks, he’s been challenged by Claudio Ranieri to make a first-team spot his own – goals like that against Manchester United recently will help.

Marko Grujic, Liverpool

The towering Serbian midfielder completed his move to the Reds in the summer, having helped Red Star Belgrade win the Serbian title in his final season – while also being named in the SuperLiga Team of the Year.

A full Serbia international (3 caps), he’s been likened to Patrick Vieira and Yaya Toure, impressing Jurgen Klopp in pre-season with a number of goals.

Alen Halilovic, Hamburg

The diminutive Croatian playmaker caused quite a stir breaking through at Dinamo Zagreb two years ago, before joining Barcelona.

A loan spell at Sporting Gijon in 2015-16 proved beneficial and he’s now hoping to impress in the Bundesliga, having taking his scheming to Hamburg.

Kelechi Iheanacho, Manchester City

The Nigerian forward has burst onto the scene at the Etihad in the last 12 months, seeing off Wilfried Bony to become backup to Sergio Aguero.

Scored 14 times in 36 games for City last term – at a ratio of one every 92 minutes – and has started the new campaign in similar manner under new boss Pep Guardiola.

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Alex Iwobi, Arsenal

The Nigerian youngster broke into the Gunners first team last term and is now pushing hard to be considered an integral part of the first-team.

Tall and powerful, but also skilful and deceptively quick, the 20-year-old has been labelled a mixture of uncle Jay-Jay Okocha and Edgar Davids by teammate Mesut Ozil.

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Victor Kovalenko, Shakhtar Donetsk

The golden boot winner in the 2015 Under-20 World Cup, Kovalenko has made a big step up at Shakhtar Donetsk in the last 12 months, and made his senior international debut this year before heading to the Euros.

A clever, quick-witted midfielder, European clubs have already begun watching.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Chelsea

A multi-purpose midfielder, Loftus-Cheek shone in an attacking midfield role for England’s Under-21 side at the Toulon tournament in the summer, being named player of the tournament.

His outstanding international performances remain somewhat in the background however, as he struggles for consistent starts at Chelsea.

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Lucas Hernandez, Atletico Madrid

The 20-year-old Frenchman was thrust into the Atleti defence towards the end of the 2015-16 campaign, and impressed at the heart of Los Rojiblancos’ back line.

A left-footed centre-half, he’s currently vying with Diego Godin, Stefan Savic and Jose Gimenez for playing time under Diego Simeone.

Emanuel Mammana, Lyon

Made his senior Argentina debut at the age of 18 in 2014, the centre-half became a key player for River Plate in his homeland before heading to Lyon this summer, agreeing a five-year deal for a fee in the region of £6million.

Nathan, Vitesse

Nathan is one of an army of Chelsea talents to venture off to Vitesse in hope that their game will develop enough to see them return some day for the Blues.

The Brazilian can play all across the front line and his excellent control and elusiveness make him an enjoyable watch.

Olivier Ntcham, Genoa

Originally touted as a Yaya Toure-type player, Ntcham has showcased his talent in a wide variety of roles since joining Genoa, including as a false nine.

The powerhouse is into the second season of a two year agreement with Manchester City, Genoa can buy the French talent for just €3million and though not an immediate Pep Guardiola fit, City could live to regret this one.

Marcus Rashford, Manchester United

Rashford’s stardom continues to shine into the Jose Mourinho era with important goals at Hull and Leicester already.

The Red Devils are now forced into using him from the start, despite their array of superstars, which has led to Rashford contributing in a less favourable wide role.

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Renato Sanches, Bayern Munich

The hype surrounding the all-action midfielder went stratospheric as Manchester United pressed for his services, but they were usurped as Bayern Munich completed a deal pre-Euros, having been impressed with his showings against them in last season’s Champions League.

Emerged as a key player for his country in their surprise win at the Euros, scoring importantly against Poland in the last eight, as well as notching the winning penalty in the shootout. Has since been getting regular minutes in Bavaria.

Watch Bayern Munich’s Renato Sanches and Xabi Alonso control 60mph ball blasted at them from a CANNON

Jairo Riedewald, Ajax

Having become a senior Dutch international at the age of 18, Riedewald has since set about becoming first-choice at Amsterdam as they bid to reclaim the Dutch title.

Now 20, he’s returned from a broken ankle sustained during de Klassieker in February and is looking to make up for lost time.

Ruben Neves, Porto

Neves is the latest starlet to pop off the end of Porto’s conveyor belt of talent and the classy playmaker is so highly-regarded that he became the club’s youngest-ever captain.

Wanted by Liverpool until Brendan Rodgers’ departure sent the Anfield club in a different direction, the 19-year-old was gutted to miss out on Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph.

But with Jorge Mendes steering his career he will no doubt go on to greater things.

Toni Sanabria, Real Betis

Betis unloaded serious money and beat off a host of rivals to sign the Paraguayan star from Roma this summer.

He’s bounced around Europe somewhat since leaving Barcelona and has interested both Arsenal and Tottenham, but he proved himself in La Liga last year on loan at Sporting Gijon and he’s ready to kick on with Betis.

Still just 20, he’s in good shape to take the next step.

Leroy Sane, Manchester City

City signed the Schalke forward for a big fee and with that comes huge expectation.

An injury has meant the beginning of his career in the Premier League has been somewhat stop-start but you don’t buy a young talent like Sane for the here and now, you buy him for the future.

Under Pep Guardiola you imagine he can only get better.

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Jonathan Tah, Bayer Leverkusen

Interesting fact: Jonathan Tah had verbally agreed to sign for Brighton if no top-flight German club came in for him when he was leaving Hamburg.

Leverkusen swooped and the dream was over, but not for Tah who has shone in the Champions League and with Germany – who he represented at Euro 2016.

A physical freak, Tah is still just 20 and promises to be one of Europe’s finest defenders for the next decade.

Youri Tielemans, Anderlecht

With Dennis Praet having departed this summer, Tielemans is the brightest talent left in Belgium’s top flight.

But that’s not to say he’s had a lack of interest – far from it.

Anderlecht will sell him eventually and they’ll likely break club and league records when the diminutive playmaker does get sold.

Still a teenager, for now he’s just happy honing his craft on home soil.

Almamy Toure, Monaco

The Mali-born defender is being treated lightly by Monaco for now, who are keen not to throw the 20-year-old in at the deep end.

But visiting scouts are climbing over each other for a glimpse of the versatile youngster as interest mounts.

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