The 22 Best Soccer Players Under 22 to Watch in Europe This Season

Club: Bayern Munich
Age: 21
National team: Switzerland
Position: Midfielder

Xherdan Shaqiri is already at one of the biggest clubs in Europe, but the speedy winger has yet to solidify a starting role with the first team. He is, however, a mainstay on the Switzerland team and he did play a role in Bayern's historic treble-winning campaign last season. The former FC Basel man would do well to move to a slightly smaller club in search of regular first-team football, but even if he doesn't, he should have a more active role for the Bundesliga champs this season in all competitions. Shaqiri's strength and speed make him one of the most versatile players in world football. He just needs the platform to show it.

Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Age: 21
National team: South Korea
Position: Forward

South Korean international Son Heung-min tore it up for Hamburg in the Bundesliga over the past three seasons, netting 20 goals in 73 appearances. He has the touch and pace that could make him the next big thing—and the first Korean to be a genuine goalscorer in Europe. Bayer Leverkusen certainly hopes so, inking Son to a five-year deal. Look for the speedster to step his game up under the Champions League spotlight this season.

Club: Fiorentina
Age: 21
National team: Serbia
Position: Forward/Midfielder

The target of transfer speculation from a handful of English clubs, Serbian international Adam Ljajic is no longer Italy's best-kept secret. The Fiorentina attacking midfielder has 15 goals in 78 appearances since his Viola debut in 2010—11 of them last season. First team football is no issue for Ljajic, but if the Serb is looking to challenge for Europe among other honors, surely a move to a bigger club is on the cards. If you don't know, now you know.

Club: Real Madrid
Age: 21
National team: Spain
Position: Defender

After failing to find first-team football with Real Madrid, Daniel Carvajal spent last season with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. The right back made 32 appearances with the Bundesliga side, winning plaudits as arguably the league's best right back. It came as no surprise, then, when Real Madrid quickly exercised their buy-back clause before the start of this campaign. Carvajal is known for being an attack-minded full back, often venturing into the final third to support the offense. How he copes on the other end will determine how much playing time he gets under new manager Carlos Ancelotti.

Club: Atlético Madrid
Age: 21
National team: Spain
Position: Midfielder

Having ascended the youth ranks at Atletico Madrid's youth system, Koke made his senior-team debut at just 16 years old in 2009. Since then, the well-rounded midfielder has made 79 appearances and netted seven times for Los Colchoneros. Koke immediately began to step up his game when Diego Simeone took over as manager in 2011, and will be relied on even more this season with the departure of Radamel Falcao. Koke recently received his first nod to the Spain senior side for an upcoming friendly against Ecuador, perhaps a sign of greater things to come. He also has the perfect name for Pusha T's next soccer shirt.

Club: Feyenoord
Age: 21
National team: Netherlands
Position: Defender

Touted as a summer transfer target for Tottenham and Liverpool, Bruno Martins Indi has officially made his way onto the radar of some of Europe's biggest clubs. The 21-year-old defender has impressed since his senior debut with Feyenoord in 2010, racking up 74 appearances and becoming a stalwart at the back. Indi has also made his senior international debut for the Netherlands, scoring twice in nine appearances with the Oranje. He can play in central defense or out wide as a full back with the ability to get down the flanks. Another prolific year in Holland this season and he may be moving sooner than later.

Club: Real Madrid
Age: 21
National team: Spain
Position: Attacking Midfielder

Isco may have already made a splash with overachievers Malaga during the past two campaigns, but this season will prove the true showcase for the attacking midfielder. He recently completed a move to Real Madrid, and the entire world will be watching to see if the 21-year-old is the real deal. With 14 goals in just 69 appearances with Malaga over the past two campaigns, Isco looks more than the part. This season will be the Spanish international's true test though, as Los Blancos look to retake the La Liga crown from Barcelona and find glory in Europe as well. Will Spain ever run out of elite, 5'9"ish midfielders?

Club: Arsenal
Age: 20
National team: France
Position: Forward

As we write this—and to the chagrin of all Arsenal supporters—Yaya Sanogo has been the only major signing for the Gunners thus far this summer. While obviously not in the class of rumored Arsenal target Luis Suarez (or Gonzalo Higuain, for that matter), the Frenchman could still impress this season. Sanogo scored 10 goals last season with French outfit Auxerre despite injury troubles and has displayed deft finishing ability for club and country. If he is indeed Arsene Wenger's only addition this summer, he'll need to replicate that form to quiet the grumbles at the Emirates.

Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Age: 20
National team: France
Position: Defender

Another young full back who has caught the eye of the world's elite, Lucas Digne was recently signed by PSG after an impressive two years with Lille. The 20-year-old Digne should flourish with the current Ligue 1 champions. Look for the positionally sound left back to be the heir apparent to Eric Abidal, Patrice Evra, and Gael Clichy for the French national team.

Club: Stoke City
Age: 20
National team: England
Position: Goalkeeper

Jack Butland's resume is already impressive, despite the England international only being 20 years old. He's featured in goal for the Three Lions at all age groups, including the U-17 side that won the 2010 Euros. Less memorably, Butland was the starting keeper for Team Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olypmics. Still, he became the youngest goalkeeper to ever play for the senior England squad (at 19 years, 158 days) when he appeared in a friendly against Italy last August. Butland has performed well on loan with Birmingham City and could leave Stoke City again if he fails to win the starting job from Asmir Begovich.

Club: Real Madrid
Age: 20
National team: Spain
Position: Forward

While Madristas clamor for more buys, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti insists that a frontline that includes Alcaro Morata will be provide more than enough firepower this season. Morata may only be 20, but he already has a La Liga and Copa Del Rey medal to his name, and from 2010-2013 he made 83 appearances and scored 44 goals with Real Madrid B. A true striker that can dominate in the air as well, Morata was also a member of the Spain side that won the U-19 Euros back in 2011, finishing as the tournament's top scorer. Gareth who?

Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Age: 20
National team: Italy
Position: Midfielder

Already being hailed as the next Andrea Pirlo, Marco Verratti is a deft playmaker with sublime vision and skill. He was snapped up by big spenders PSG last summer, and capped a terrific debut season by being named in the team of the year for Ligue 1. With a year in France now under his belt, look for Verratti to have a true breakout season with the Parisians, as they look to repeat as domestic champions and go even farther in Europe.

Club: Manchester United
Age: 20
National team: England
Position: Forward/Midfielder

A key component in Crystal Palace's Premier League promotion at the end of last season, Wilfried Zaha will be looking to open his bag of tricks this season with Manchester United. The forward/midfielder has already appeared for the senior England national team, and his combination of power, pace, and skill could see him earn significant time in David Moyes' lineup.

Club: PSV Eindhoven
Age: 20
National team: Netherlands
Position: Midfielder

Following a season in which the Moroccan-born starlet made 31 league appearances and netted seven goals, Adam Maher has taken a step up from AZ to PSV this summer. Maher already shows an ability to play free-flowing football in the midfield and is also comfortable in an advanced role as well. He played inspiring football at the U-21 Euros in Israel, and the move up the ladder of Dutch football in the Eredivisie is just the beginning for this youngster.

Club: FC Schalke 04
Age: 19
National team: Germany
Position: Midfielder

Despite being just 19 years old, Julian Draxler has already featured regularly for Schalke of the Bundesliga. Since his senior debut in 2011, the young German has made 76 appearances, and scored 13 goals. Draxler is known for his great technical ability, dribbling skills, and his ability to unleash absolute bombs from long range. This past May, Draxler put an end to rumors linking him with rivals Borussia Dortmund (for now) by inking a new two-year deal with Schalke.

Club: Everton (on loan from Barcelona)
Age: 19
National team: Spain
Position: Forward

Like many coming off of the production line at La Masia in Barcelona, Gerard Deulofeu has found first-team football hard to come by with the senior team. Last month the Catalan giants loaned the Spanish winger to Premier League side Everton, with hopes that the youngster can improve his physicality and skill while playing regularly. Deulofeu made 33 appearances for Barca B last season, netting 18 times in the process. The future looks very bright for Deulofeu, and the forward should flourish under the tutelage of Roberto Martinez at Goodison Park.

Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Age: 19
National team: Germany
Position: Midfielder

Emre Can follows a growing trend of footballers of Turkish descent climbing the ranks of the German system (e.g. Ilkay Gundogan of Borussia Dortmund and Mesut Ozil of Real Madrid). While Germany failed to advance past the group stage at the U-21 European Championships in Israel earlier this summer, Can was a bright spot for the squad. Earlier this month the promising holding midfielder left Bayern Munich for regular first-team football with Bayer Leverkusen. The move should allow the midfielder to emerge on the Champions League stage—at which, Bayern will inevitably bring him right back.

Club: AC Milan
Age: 18
National team: France
Position: Forward

The 18-year-old French striker is already drawing comparisons to Mario Balotelli for his exploits both on and off the field. Niang shows the ability to be a true center forward with strength, speed, and above all, the ability to finish. He scored his debut goal for Milan in the fifth round of last season's Coppa Italia, and has already inked a contract that will keep him in the black and red of the Rossoneri until 2017. As long as he keeps himself in check, the French international could play a key role in the upcoming Serie A campaign. Let's hope Super Mario is a good mentor for him.

Club: Southampton
Age: 18
National team: England
Position: Defender

Luke Shaw had a brilliant season at left back for newly promoted Southampton last season, despite the fact he was just 17 years old. Shaw displayed great composure and skill on the ball and in defense, and played a key role in the Saints staying up. Shaw has already made appearances for England at the U-16 and U-17 levels and is on the radar for the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal. Many are eager to see what he can do in his second full season in the Premiership. He kinda reminds us of another guy who got his start at left back for Southampton, initials G.B.

Club: Chelsea
Age: 18
National team: England
Position: Defender/Midfielder

He has yet to play a first-team game for the Blues, but Nathaniel Chalobah is already starting to make waves in Europe. The young midfielder played an integral role in Gianfranco Zola's Watford side that came so close to a return to the Premier League at the end of last season. Chalobah made 38 appearances for the Watford, scoring five goals. He's regularly featured for the England U-21 side, and showcases the ability to play as a tough-tackling defensive mid with the ability to get forward. Playing time under Mourinho will probably be hard to find this season, but a loan move to a team like Crystal Palace could be just the opportunity Chalobah needs.

Club: Liverpool
Age: 17
National team: England
Position: Midfielder

Liverpool boss Brandon Rogers has made it clear since his arrival on Merseyside that he's not afraid to reward young talent with first-team football. Raheem Sterling got his shot last year, and with the recent departure of winger Stewart Downing from the club, it could be Jordan Ibe's turn to wow the Anfield faithful as a teenager. Ibe is a winger with plenty of pace and has already impressed during Liverpool's preseason tour. His Premier League debut on the final day of the season last year, in which he assisted a Philippe Coutinho goal, could be a sign of the greatness to come.