A look into the future as youngsters impress in South Africa

This World Cup may not have been the best in the history of the competition but some young players have come out of the competition with their reputations enhanced.

Some of these players could prove the backbones of their national sides for years to come.

Here is a rundown of some of the young players I have been impressed with in South Africa:

Mesut Ozil (Germany)

The Werder Bremen playmaker was highly-rated before the tournament but he has only enhanced his ever growing reputation through some fantastic displays. He has been the creative brain of the German side and could be in line for a big money move this summer.

Spanish giants Barcelona and Manchester United have shown a strong interest in the diminutive star. A fee in the region of £25million has been mooted and Werder Bremen could lose their star player this summer.

The 21 year-old has technical ability and footballing brain beyond his years. It’s a certainty that he will become the hub of the German side for years to come.

Thomas Muller (Germany)

The versatile 20 year-old has been superb on the flank for Germany. At Bayern Munich he’s considered more of a central attacker. He scored four goals in the competition, including two crucial goals against England to help his country into the quarter-finals.

Muller is one of the favourites for Young Player of the Tournament. He deserves a lot of credit for his performances in South Africa. He has been crucial in his side’s progression into the semi-finals of the World Cup. He too is now being linked with a move to the Premier League.

Andre Ayew (Ghana)

The 20 year-old is the son of Ghanaian football legend Abedi Pele. He has a lot to live up to with a father like that. However the youngster has started to make a name for himself in international football and will be hoping to progress in club football next season.

He captained his countries successful under-20 side at last year’s World Cup and also impressed in the African nations. Although he hasn’t had the brightest tournament he showed glimpses of what he is capable of in the future. He’s definitely one to watch.

Jonathan Mensah (Ghana)

Another star of Ghana’s 2009 under-20 World Cup victory, he played in three of Ghana’s World Cup matches. At just 19 was one of the youngest players at the tournament yet his boss had enough faith to throw him into the first team.

Mensah is destined for great things and although he has lots to learn he has the raw material to be a top player. He was playing his football in the South African top flight before completing a January move to Italian side Udinese. The Italian side then sent him out on loan to Spanish side Grenada. However next season he could be back in the Udinese squad after a superb tournament.

Future

Although this World Cup hasn’t been a vintage one I have been impressed by the quartet. There have been a few moments of brilliances and drama, but by in large it’s arguably not been as attractive to watch as previous editions.

These four players have the potential to star in numerous World Cups to come and hopefully they will all live up to their potential. Ghana and Germany both have a host of young talented players. The two nations may be from different continents but they have one thing in common, the future of their national sides look very bright indeed.