Youth in Revolt

Continuing on from my World Cup 2010 Series

Somewhere Arsene Wenger is enjoying a quiet smile of vindication.

World Cup 2010 was perhaps the strongest demonstration yet, of youth triumphing over experience.  With so many younger stars stamping their authority all over games and dominating their older counterparts, World Cup South Africa was the most convincing proof so far, that the future of football lies with the youngsters; while a generation of household names the world over, fade into the sunset.

This summer has seen the rise of many talented young players.  Thomas Mueller, Mesut Oezil, Alexis Sanchez, Giovanni Dos Santos, Gregory Van der Wiel, and Luis Suarez are just a few that shone on the world’s biggest stage.  Moreover, despite the presence of several old hands, it was the younger stars that stole the show, running teams and controlling games with an authority seldom seen before.  Youth have always had a place in World Cup football but most of their impact has been cameos, mixed in with fringe performances and substitute appearances.  For the first time ever, we saw several heavyweight countries completely rebuild their teams around a youthful core and hand them the keys.

Germany finished 3^rd with the third youngest team at the tournament.  With an average age (25) only higher than Ghana’s (24.1), they were even younger than the numbers suggest, with goalkeeper Hans Jorg-Butt and Arne Friedrich both way over 30.  Surely, with such a strong showing with such a young squad, they are now one of the favourites for Euro 2012.  The youngest team, Ghana, even without their experienced captain Michael Essien, was but a penalty kick away from the semi finals.

And who can ignore the fact that winners Spain started Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique in every game, none over 24.  And with 23 year olds, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro, both coming off the bench to some effect, Spain’s future prospects look ominous for the rest.

Luis Suarez, who turned 23 this year, currently plays for Dutch team Ajax with a plethora of suitors.  And after such a prolific year for both club and country, it’s easy to see why.  His first goal, against Mexico, ensured the Albiceleste topped their group and avoided giants Argentina in the next round.  Suarez would then go on to score two more against South Korea, including the game winner.  Although a handball in the win over Ghana tarnished his reputation somewhat, Suarez was back for the 3^rd place match, and played a part as the South Americans lost 3-2 to Germany.  Notably, another Uruguayan youngster, Edinson Cavani, 23, came to the fore, as he leveled the match at 1-1.  With goalkeeper Fernando Muslera only turning 24 during the tournament, expect the Uruguayans to return, improved.

The Germans, despite an unheralded team, went deep, exiting only after a narrow loss to Spain in the semifinals.  Whereas other teams had a smattering of youth, coach Joachim Low retooled his entire team around young players with seven regular starters 25 and younger.  Not only was their team a refreshing change of pace, their wins, often stylish destructions of established countries, were achieved with an attractive form of fluid counterattacking football.  Having served notice in the imperious 4-0 thrashing of Australia in their first game, we saw the rise of two young players in Thomas Mueller and Mesut Oezil.

Mesut Oezil, born 1988, currently plays for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.  Despite attention from many clubs overseas, Oezil has stated his intent to stay in Germany, where he is regarded as Germany’s new number 10.  With clinical performances at the European U-21 Championships in 2009, German coach Joachim Low called him up for four of Germany’s qualifiers, where he continued to impress.  This led to a starting place for the national team where he cemented his spot with cultured, assured playmaking.  Now that the world has seen his talents, everyone can agree that, if he continues this way, Oezil will be a top star.  One who can certainly help Germany win international silverware.

Oezil was not the only German youngster who wowed audiences worldwide.  Thomas Mueller is another young tyro who proved he can play with the best.  Born September 13, 1989, Mueller was coming off a successful season with Bayern Munich. Just 20, Mueller not only started for the Germans but displayed both verve and vision.  He won the Golden Boot at the World Cup, leading the scoring with five goals while setting up another three.  Beating out established superstars like Wesley Sneijder, David Villa and Diego Forlan was not enough, as Mueller also scooped the Hyundai Best Young Player.  Mueller follows teammate Lukas Podolski as the winner of this award, a testament to the phenomenal youth developmental programs run by the German FA (DFB).  As if having 13 players in their squad, 25 or younger and captained by a 26 year old Phillipp Lahm, wasn’t deserving enough.

Chile was another team that came in from the cold but impressed with some composed performances.  Right at the heart of their team is Alexis Sanchez who, although lining up nominally on the left of a three man attack, roams all over, setting up attacks and supporting the midfield.  Alongside fellow youngsters, Mauricio Isla (22) and Arturo Vidal (23), Sanchez started all three games and showed why these three youngsters are among the first names on the Chile teamsheet.

Mexico’s latest edition was also youth heavy with Tottenham youngster Giovanni Dos Santos (21), United striker Javier Hernandez (22) and Deportivo winger Andres Guardado (23) all starting regularly as Mexico once again put in a consistent performance before losing, somewhat unluckily, in the round of 16.  Arsenal striker Carlos Vela (21) played the first two games for El Tri as well and will surely feature in later tournaments.

Gregory van der Wiel was another standout at right back for the Dutch runners-up as they won six games in a row.  Fast, strong and assured on the ball, he will hope to emulate his captain and counterpart on the left side, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, in becoming a defensive mainstay for the Oranje.  On this form, he may well.