Kurt Zouma, 19 (AS Saint Etienne)
Kurt Zouma is another promising centre half, with the teenager earning plaudits for his rapid ascension to a key player in the AS Saint Etienne back line.
Zouma was playing in Ligue 1 for ASSE at the age of just 17, with his physique developing much earlier than other players his age.
Now 19, the France U21 defender has certainly developed a strong armed approach, which could well prove useful in the famously tough Barclays Premier League.
On the other hand though, Zouma needs to learn his limits, and his tackle on FC Sochaux-Montbeliard man Thomas Guerbert earned him a ten match ban for breaking the midfielder’s right leg and dislocating his ankle.
It was a challenge in high contrast to that of the clean-tackling Per Mertesacker, but France coach Didier Deschamps says he views Zouma as a future captain of the senior side, and with maturity he could develop into a star.
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