{"id":1079300,"date":"2019-03-19T15:35:27","date_gmt":"2019-03-19T15:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1079300"},"modified":"2019-03-19T15:35:27","modified_gmt":"2019-03-19T15:35:27","slug":"rising-stars-international-break","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/rising-stars-international-break\/","title":{"rendered":"12 rising stars we can’t wait to see during the international break"},"content":{"rendered":"

Another international break means another chance for football’s up-and-coming stars to showcase their worth and introduce themselves on the global stage.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With important Euro 2020 qualifying matches coming up some managers have turned to their nation’s budding starlets to get the job done.<\/p>\n

Germany coach Joachim Low has already axed the old guard, heralding the start of a new era for Die Mannschaft, while Fernando Santos has called up four uncapped players for Portugal.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7205446-man-utd-need-to-sign-england-s-duel-master<\/p>\n

But it isn’t just qualifying matches where managers have called on their nation’s promising stars, with international friendlies being played out across the globe, and there are some exciting names to look out for.<\/p>\n

So without further ado, here are 12 rising stars we can’t wait to see during the international break.<\/p>\n

Nicolo Zaniolo (Italy)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Age: <\/strong>19<\/p>\n

Club: <\/strong>Roma<\/p>\n

Position: <\/strong>Attacking midfielder<\/p>\n

Transfer guru Monchi recently parted company with the\u00a0Giallorossi, but this could prove one of his finest finds, having signed the teenage tyro in a part-exchange for Radja Nainggolan\u00a0from Inter Milan.\u00a0Zaniolo is one of the hottest prospects in Italian football and Roberto Mancini has certainly recognised that after gifting the 19-year-old his first call-up to Gli Azzurri.<\/p>\n

The 6ft 3in forward has football elegance that\u00a0transcends his imposing height and has been a shining light in a difficult Roma season, scoring five goals and registering two assists, including a brace against Porto, in which he became\u00a0the youngest Italian player to score twice in a single Champions League match.<\/p>\n

Eder Militao (Brazil)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Age: <\/strong>21<\/p>\n

Club: <\/strong>Porto<\/p>\n

Position: <\/strong>Centre-back<\/p>\n

Such is the prodigious talent of the Porto\u00a0Paulistano that Real Madrid have wasted no time in securing his services, agreeing a bumper \u00a342.7m fee for the young defender last week, giving newly-appointed\u00a0Zinedine Zidane some much-needed technical quality to his backline.<\/p>\n

At 21, Militao joined the Dragoes in the summer from boyhood club Sao Paulo but immediately caught the attention of Europe’s elite clubs with his\u00a0eye-catching performances. His versatility makes him a rare and valuable\u00a0commodity in the game, capable of playing anywhere in defence, or even central midfield.<\/p>\n

Joao Felix (Portugal)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Age: <\/strong>19<\/p>\n

Club: <\/strong>Benfica<\/p>\n

Position: <\/strong>Attacking midfield<\/p>\n

Felix is seen as the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo’s throne in Portugal, such has been his rapid rise to prominence at the Estadio da Luz, scoring 10 Primeira Liga goals and providing four assists, prompting a first international call-up for the teenager.<\/p>\n

At the start of the campaign many would have felt the fledgling forward was the archetypal YouTube player, someone who appears a world beater in a highlight reel but lacks the requisite consistency to make it at elite level. Well, Felix has come of age under Bruno Lage, proving much more than just a show pony, but instead, a player of real substance.<\/p>\n

Declan Rice (England)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Age: <\/strong>20<\/p>\n

Club: <\/strong>West Ham<\/p>\n

Position: <\/strong>Central midfield<\/p>\n

Having switched international allegiances from the Republic of Ireland to England, Rice offers Gareth Southgate a very unique dimension to his midfield.<\/p>\n

More than just a ball-winning midfielder, Rice has showcased his technical skill and creativity in east London this season, endearing himself to the Hammers faithful and proving a key figure for Manuel Pellegrini.<\/p>\n

David Neres (Brazil)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Age: <\/strong>22<\/p>\n

Club: <\/strong>Ajax<\/p>\n

Position: <\/strong>Forward<\/p>\n

One of the key players in Ajax’s humbling of reigning European champions Real Madrid, Neres was a chief tormentor of Los Blancos’ defence on that famous night.<\/p>\n

But this will come as no shock to the Amsterdammers as the Brazilian talent produces performances of that level regularly in the Eredivisie. He has now taken that domestic form to the grandest of all European stages, the hallowed Bernabeu turf, and Brazil manager Tite has rewarded his efforts.<\/p>\n

Diego Lainez (Mexico)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Age: <\/strong>18<\/p>\n

Club: <\/strong>Real Betis<\/p>\n

Position: <\/strong>Winger<\/p>\n

Lainez became the second most expensive Mexican player to be signed by a European club when Real Betis parted with \u00a314m for his services in January.<\/p>\n

The Tabasco-born winger was in red hot form for America in his homeland, persuading Quique Setien to acquire his services, and he has already showcased glimmers of his undoubted potential at the Benito Villamarin.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Xa_EdMMm-Lc<\/p>\n

Subscribe to Squawka\u2019s Youtube channel here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniel James (Wales)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Age: <\/strong>21<\/p>\n

Club:\u00a0<\/strong>Swansea City<\/p>\n

Position: <\/strong>Winger<\/p>\n

James has flourished under the guidance of Graham Potter in recent months, impressing the Swansea fans with his\u00a0twinkle-toed feet, lightning pace and refined end product.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Beverley-born winger is now a mainstay in the Swans XI, and is also in esteemed hands at national level, with former wide man Ryan Giggs at the Wales helm. He has even drawn comparison with Kylian Mbappe due to his speed…<\/p>\n

\n

Who'd win a race between Daniel James and Kylian Mbapp\u00e9? ??<\/p>\n

There was no stopping the 21-year-old on his way to goal.<\/p>\n

Incredible pace! \u26a1\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/Ay2aTunUVT<\/a><\/p>\n

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 17, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n