Most underrated young players in football?

[schafer]

There have been numerous arguments on BS over who is the best young player in the game (Rooney, Messi, Ronaldo,etc) but very few, if any, concerning other youngsters who are not as spectacular or don't play for a big club, but have massive amounts of potential and/or are quietly going around their business for their clubs without getting the recognition they deserve. A few of them, IMO (from the EPL, as I don't get to see much of other leagues), would be:

Steven Davis, Aston Villa - he has been put more in the spotlight following reported interest from Manchester United, but still doesn't get the recognition he deserves. Very consistent, he has an eye for goal, is a good passer, has quick feet and is playing very well for Villa this season. Lacks pace, but could be a very good central midfielder in a few years. A similar type of player to Lampard, IMO.

Collins John, Fulham- Very talented young Dutch striker playing for Fulham, he's already earned a Dutch cap but has dropped in the pecking order behind other strikers playing in the Eredivisie. Great technique, good upper body strength, can shoot with either foot, and he's scored several already in the EPL this year. He has a knack for scoring against big clubs (ManU, Chelsea) but he is inconsistent and needs improvement in several areas of his game.

Steven Taylor, Newcastle- Great young centre back, he reads the game well and is very composed. Better than Boumsong, IMO, and a future England international. Has had problems with injuries, however, and isn't the greatest physical force, but he has a bright future.

Those are just a few, and I would hope somebody adds some more from other leagues.

[SirManchester]

Bastian Schweinsteiger - has been performing well for Bayern Munchen for over two seasons now and has also become a regular to the German national team but he still doesn't get the propper recognition.

Darren Bent - Has been vital to Charlton this season, his off the ball movement is fantastic, and his first touch phenomenal, he also sets up his fellow team-mates. Just because he isn't scoring weekly anymore, people are calling him a fluke or stopped rating him. I still believe he's been one of the season's best.

[megamac20817]

Sergio Aguero- He has forced himself into Independiente's XI and scored 10 goals all season. How old is he? 17. Reported interest from Chelsea hasn't been enough for him to step into the limelight, and he has yet to earn his first full cap.

Leonardo Pisculichi- The best player for Argentinos Jrs. this season, and is on his way to Spain in January for 2.6 Million Euros (70% of his transfer).

Falcao- He exploded onto the scene with River, 7 goals in 7 games and only 19. He's injured until the new season, but we can expect great things from him.

[Excape Goat]

Falcao- He exploded onto the scene with River, 7 goals in 7 games and only 19. He's injured until the new season, but we can expect great things from him.


Argentinian?????

[special_k]

Freddy Adu is one of the bes..*gets shot*

[Guti™]

Jefferson Farfan (http://english.psv.nl/show?id=9720&dbid=628&typeofpage=22365) - 21 year old winger playing for PSV. This is his second season at PSV and is the clubs top goal scorer with 10 goals. He might join one of the big clubs next season.

[megamac20817]

Argentinian?????
No, Falcao is Colombian, but he's been in Argentina for 5 years now I think.

[Rakim_22]

Jefferson Farfan (http://english.psv.nl/show?id=9720&dbid=628&typeofpage=22365) - 21 year old winger playing for PSV. This is his second season at PSV and is the clubs top goal scorer with 10 goals. He might join one of the big clubs next season.
Good to see someone mentioned him. He is quite a talent and has a chance to shine being a star for Peru.

[megamac20817]

While we're on the subject of talents in Holland, here's another 2:

Wesley Sneijder- Great player for Ajax, and is already playing for the NT. Expect great things from him

Jonathan De Guzman- Easily the best Canadian prospect out there, playing with Feyernoord.

[Freak of Nature]

Vincent Kompany seen him play alot but only mentioned rarely


However in the wrong light i mistake him for Pierluigi Collina

[DanRod78]

Here's the winner:

CARLOS TEVEZ - 21 years old

http://www.wldcup.com/pictures/2004_08/12098_25762_0.jpg

Taken from wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Tevez

With Boca Juniors he won an Argentine Championship (2003), a Copa Libertadores (2003), an Intercontinental Cup (2003), and a Copa Sudamericana (2004).

Tévez was a key part of Boca's victory in the 2003 Copa Libertadores, but his greatest achievement was during the 2004 Olympic Games, where he won the gold medal with his team, and scored eight goals in six matches to be the top scorer of the competition. He also participated in the 2004 Copa América, helping Argentina to the runner-up spot.

The Argentine Football Writers chose him as Footballer of the Year in 2003 and 2004, and also Sportsman of the Year 2004. He was named Futbolista latinoamericano más destacado ("Most notable Latin American footballer") in 2003 by Latin American Fox Sports, and in the same years was the world's second Top Goal Scorer 2004 in international competitions (International Federation of Football History and Statistics) with 16 goals, one less than Ali Daei from Iran.

In December 2004, he was transferred to Corinthians in Brazil for 20 million US Dollars with a five year contract worth 10 million US Dollars, the biggest transfer ever in South American football. Initially Tévez was not well received by the Corinthian fans - including Brazilian president Lula. However, Tévez has since become the captain and star of the team that won the 2005 Brazilian league, and the fans' favourite player.

Titles:

* 2005 Campeonato Brasileiro (Corinthians)
* 2004 Olympic gold medal (Argentina)
* 2004 pre-olympics (Argentina)
* 2004 Copa Sudamericana (Boca Juniors)
* 2003 Intercontinental Cup (Boca Juniors)
* 2003 Argentine Apertura (Boca Juniors)
* 2003 Copa Libertadores (Boca Juniors)
* 2003 Southamerican under-20 Championship (Argentina)

Personal awards

* 2005 Campeonato Brasileiro's Best Player by CBF (Brazilian Soccer Confederation)
* 2005 Campeonato Brasileiro's Best Player (Brazilian Placar magazine)
* 2004 Olimpia de Oro award for Argentine most important Sportperson of the year (Clarín newspaper)
* 2004 Olympic Golden Boot (8 goals in 6 matches)
* 2003 and 2004 South American Player of the Year (Uruguayan newspaper El País) <-- He just won the 2005 also

[megamac20817]

lol, good one.

Others are Nigel De Jong and Anthony Vanden Borre, two great young defenders.
Another one that springs to mind is Diego Buonanotte, who's supposed to be awesome. Maybe he'll explode in the next YWC, who knows.

[Walter3000]

Gago
manuel fernandes
Moutinho
Dos Santos

[mak9]

Iker Casillas

[DanRod78]

Iker Casillas
Underrated???
He's the best player of R.Madrid, only God knows how points Casillas has given R.Madrid in the last year.

[mak9]

Underrated???
He's the best player of R.Madrid, only God knows how points Casillas has given R.Madrid in the last year.

yes I know he is the best player, but he deserves to win individual awards and should atleast be among the top 3 for world player of the year!

[megamac20817]

We all know keepers and defenders don't get picked for those awards, just the players who people hear about. Which is why a player like Riquelme would never win it.

[mak9]

We all know keepers and defenders don't get picked for those awards, just the players who people hear about. Which is why a player like Riquelme would never win it.

didn't kahn become a runner up some years ago?

[megamac20817]

didn't kahn become a runner up some years ago?
I don't know, but most people agree that defenders and keepers don't get the recognition they deserve.

[Zizou10]

I am not so sure that he is underrated, but more underappreciated: Obafemi Martins