Smash hit

9. Fabio Da Silva (Manchester United)

His twin Rafael, has already caught the eye at right back this season and the word from Old Trafford is that Fabio, 18, is just as exciting – though he is yet to make his United debut given Patrice Evra’s excellence at left back.

8. Jozy Altidore (Villarreal)

Strong, quick and a good finisher, the New Jersey-born striker is the hottest property to come out of Major League Soccer since Freddy Adu. Altidore made a big-money move to Spain last summer.

7. John Fleck (Rangers)

The nephew of the former striker, Robert Fleck, he became the youngest player to feature in a Scottish Cup final last May and is a 17-year-old attacker with prodigious talent who has generated plenty of buzz.

6. Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Of all Arsenal’s adolescents, this Stevenage-born 17-year-old midfield player is perhaps the most exciting, and he has already featured in two Champions League games this season.

5. Douglas Costa (Gremio)

The new Ronaldinho? The new Anderson? Either way, this skilful 18-year-old midfield player attracted the attention of Manchester United and Real Madrid last autumn despite making just a handful of appearances. His buy-out clause is 21 million GBP.

4. Radamel Falcao Garcia (River Plate)

The 22-year-old Colombia striker, named after the former Brazil star, Falcao, is quick, lethal and two-footed and leading European sides are eyeing up this potential star.

3. David Silva (Valencia)

A Liverpool and Barcelona target last summer after he starred for Spain at Euro 2008, the diminutive winger, just turned 23, has fabulous skills and a determined character.

2. Karim Benzema (Lyons)

Lyons placed a 100 million Euro price-tag on this academy product to deter the hordes of bigger clubs eyeing up the 21-year-old France striker, who has few weaknesses in his game and is a bona fide superstar in the making.

1. Hernanes (Sao Paulo)

Perhaps the most-hyped South American prospect of last year, the hugely-talented 23-year-old Brazilian is an attacking midfield playmaker, leading to inevitable Kaka comparisons. How long before he moves to Europe?

(Thanks to Gabriele Marcotti)