In today’s footballing landscape, the opportunity to sign a young, promising player and develop him in to one of the world’s best is too good to turn down for most clubs.
It is a chance for clubs to not only improve the quality of their playing squads for a number of years but also their bank balance, should one of the elite clubs come calling for their most impressive young talents.
With all that in mind, here are some of the outstanding talents born in the year 1998 who we believe will go on to footballing greatness…
Kylian Mbappe
D.O.B.: 20.12.1998
Current Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Nationality: France
Current Market Value: £162million
Position: RW, CF, LW
What more needs to be said? Kylian Mbappe is the shooting star of this generation with a World Cup win under his belt at just 19 years old.
The Frenchman was already making waves when he was 17 and playing for AS Monaco. After his debut season he was loaned out to Paris Saint Germain, where his meteoric rise continued alongside superstars such as Neymar and Edinson Cavani.
His blistering pace, unbelievable ball control and expert finishing have made Mbappe the most sought-after talent football has had to offer since Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
After his loan spell, PSG made Mbappe the second most expensive player ever after Neymar by signing him permanently.
Christian Pulisic
D.O.B.: 18.09.1998
Current Club: Borussia Dortmund
Nationality: USA
Current Market Value: £40.5million
Position: RW, CAM, LW
Borussia Dortmund have long been known for bringing through impressive talents and shaping them into young players ready for one of Europe’s big five leagues, as well as international competition.
In the past, players like Mario Götze have enjoyed the fast track to the big stage. Christian Pulisic is no different. Brought over from Pennsylvania in 2014 at the age of 16, Dortmund quickly realised his talent and pulled him up to the first team, leading to a debut at just 17 years old.
He became Dortmund’s youngest debutant, as well as the club’s youngest goal scorer in the Bundesliga during the same season. Pulisic quickly grew into a regular first team starter, playing the majority of the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons, but the emergence of Jadon Sancho has seen a slight decrease in playing time.
Dayot Upemecano
D.O.B.: 27.10.1998
Current Club: RB Leipzig
Nationality: France
Current Market Value: £27million
Position: CB, CDM
Dayot Upamecano is another one of France’s hopefuls for the future. The defender has established himself as one RB Leipzig’s first-choice centre-backs.
His physical presence is impressive, and he is definitely one of France’s candidates for a senior team breakthrough. In July 2018, Upamecano was shortlisted for the 2018 Golden Boy Award.
Jacob Bruun-Larsen
D.O.B.: 19.09.1998
Current Club: Borussia Dortmund
Nationality: Denmark
Current Market Value: £13.5million
Position: LW, CAM, RW
An unknown quantity before the 2018/19 season, having played more in the Dortmund and VFB Stuttgart youth academies, Jacob Bruun Larsen did not take long to make a lasting impression.
His pre-season performances have earned him regular appearances in the Bundesliga and Champions League this season, with a combined 12 starts under his belt. His pace and eye for goal has become a real asset during Dortmund’s transition towards a new, younger squad.
Martin Ødegaard
D.O.B.: 17.12.1998
Current Club: Vitesse Arnheim
Nationality: Norway
Current Market Value: £3.6million
Position: RW, CAM, LW
Martin Ødegaard made headlines almost four years ago when Real Madrid signed him as a 15-year-old from Norwegian club Strømgodset.
In hindsight, many have regarded it as more of a PR stunt by Madrid, as Ødegaard subsequently spent his time with Real Madrid Castilla, rather than the senior team, and only made one appearance in La Liga.
In the following years, Ødegaard was unable to achieve a breakthrough at Madrid, and was loaned out to SC Heerenveen, and then Vitesse Arnheim. Ødegaard’s future in Madrid remains uncertain, despite still being one of the top talents amongst his age group.
Achraf Hakimi
D.O.B.: 04.11.1998
Current Club: Borussia Dortmund
Nationality: Morocco
Current Market Value: £9.9million
Position: RB, LB
Another shooting star from Real Madrid, Achraf Hakimi had a difficult time with the senior team, making few appearances during the 2017/18 season.
In order to receive more playing time, Hakimi was loaned out to Borussia Dortmund and has since risen to a starting spot in the absence of Marcel Schmelzer.
His attacking prowess is reminiscent of Marcelo’s style of play and under new Dortmund coach Lucien Favre, Hakimi has been given more freedom to help out in attack, letting him use the full length of the pitch.
Hakimi’s loan spell at Dortmund is set to end after the 2019/2020 season.
Weston McKennie
D.O.B.: 28.08.1998
Current Club: FC Schalke 04
Nationality: USA
Current Market Value: £10.8million
Position: CM, CAM, CDM
The young American has a past rooted in Germany, having lived in Kaiserslautern between the age of eight and nine. It was there that he discovered his love of football, and subsequently went on to play for FC Dallas’ youth academy. Despite signing a letter of intent to commit to the Univeristy of Virginia and receive a scholarship for football there, McKennie decided to go pro, turning down a homegrown player contract with FC Dallas.
McKennie moved to FC Schalke 04’s youth academy, where he made the jump to the first team a year after joining. During the 2017/18 season, McKennie made 25 appearances across all competitions.
In addition to his successful rise through Schalke’s ranks, McKennie has now become one of the new young talents regularly named in the USA national team.