NOT 30 BY 2030

These tyro talents are belying their tender years, but get used to them – they’ll be around for some time...

ALPHONSO DAVIES

BAYERN MUNICH, 19 Canada

Born in a Ghanaian refugee camp, schooled in Canada – and now coming of age in Germany. Davies’ parents fled their homeland during the Second Liberian Civil War before eventually making it to their new lives, but little did they know what their boy would become: an MLS player with Vancouver Whitecaps at just 15, then Canada’s youngest debutant at 16 and a $ 22 million Bayern star at 17. At 19? Their first- choice left- back.

RODRYGO

REAL MADRID, 19 Brazil

Rodrygo’s € 45m switch from Santos in the summer of 2018 passed fairly quietly; partly because he actually joined a year later during a € 300m splurge, and partly because Madrid had already shelled out a similar fee for Vinicius Jr 12 months earlier. The winger has been no shrinking violet since, however, starting regularly and hitting a Champions League hat- trick at home to Galatasaray. A pair of Brazil caps capped a huge 2019.

JADON SANCHO

BORUSSIA DORTMUND, 19 England

Across Europe’s top five leagues in 2018- 19, only Eden Hazard created more goals than London lad Sancho, whose remarkable rise has made him a firm favourite to start for England at Euro 2020. The flying forward somehow continues to improve at Dortmund: by the middle of February he was within one of last season’s Bundesliga assist haul ( 14), having already surpassed his goal count ( 12). And he only turns 20 this month.

HARVEY ELLIOTT

LIVERPOOL, 16 England

Elliott was a barely believable 15 years and 174 days old when he debuted for Fulham in September 2018, and he’d only just hit sweet 16 when he became the Premier League’s youngest- ever player eight months later. Since signing for Liverpool in July 2019, the hype surrounding the winger has been justified in six EFL and FA Cup appearances, while a brilliant bicycle kick against Wolves’ Under- 23s got Red tongues wagging.

EDUARDO CAMAVINGA

RENNES, 17 France

Twitter feeds were illuminated by highlights of central midfielder Camavinga’s standout display at home to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint- Germain in August, helping Rennes to a 2- 1 win. At the time, he was 16; born one month after that Wayne Rooney goal against Arsenal in October 2002, but managing a similarly explosive performance on the big stage. Now a creaking 17, the Angola- born starlet is shining as a first- team regular.

BUKAYO SAKA

ARSENAL, 18 England

Unai Emery might not have got a lot right at Arsenal, but the Spaniard could never be accused of ignoring the kids. Saka was a perfect case: given his Gunners debut at 17 in the Europa League 16 months ago, the youngster has only kicked on since. Starting Premier League matches now isn’t uncommon for the nippy wideman, who has been played on the left wing and at left- back since Mikel Arteta became head coach.

PHIL FODEN

MANCHESTER CITY, 19 England

He has had to be patient, but finally Foden’s moment at Manchester City is approaching. David Silva leaves the Etihad Stadium this summer and his successor is in place: a 19- year- old from Stockport who has long been earmarked for excellence and already reached 50 first- team appearances. “We are not going to buy any player in David’s position because we have Phil,” revealed Pep Guardiola in January. And that says it all.

TAKEFUSA KUBO

MALLORCA, 18 Japan

Kubo once netted 74 goals in 30 matches across one season for Barcelona’s U12s, but it transpired that the Catalans had violated FIFA’S transfer laws for minors. The Japanese livewire returned home to FC Tokyo in 2015, and four years later he was back in Spain... with Real Madrid. Los Blancos soon loaned him to Mallorca, where the seven- cap midfielder is developing nicely in La Liga amid the islanders’ battle to beat the drop.

MASON GREENWOOD

MANCHESTER UNITED, 18 England

Imagine you’re 17 years old, and Manchester United need a goal with just three minutes left against PSG. The manager then shouts your name. You’re on, son. A debut. That was Greenwood’s reality in March 2019, and within minutes he had watched fellow academy star Marcus Rashford convert a decisive late penalty. The striker has made his own mark since, becoming the Red Devils’ youngest- ever goalscorer in Europe.

CALLUM HUDSON- ODOI

CHELSEA, 19 England

Last season, some Chelsea players were bemused by Maurizio Sarri’s sparing use of the electrifying winger. As former goalkeeper Rob Green opined: “We were in the dressing room saying, ‘ How is he not playing?’ He was tearing some of the best defenders in the world apart… players were standing there applauding him.” Thankfully, new Blues manager Frank Lampard – and England boss Gareth Southgate – feel very differently.

KARAMOKO DEMBELE

CELTIC, 17 Scotland/ England

Dembele joined Celtic when he was 10, having been born in London but lived in Glasgow since he was one. In October 2016, the winger made national headlines when featuring for the Bhoys’ U20s as a 13- year- old. But it was no gimmick: his journey continued through the academy and into Neil Lennon’s senior team, for whom he debuted last May on the day Celtic picked up their 50th league title. Start as you mean to go on.