European Under 21 Championships

With all the ridiculously simple 'Best Players in the World' slideshows currently in circulation on Bleacher Report, I thought I would make my own, one which would actually require some scouting and research.

After keeping a keen eye on the recently concluded European U-21 Championships in Sweden I decided to try and figure out the best European U-21 team. Now this is a team, so there would have to be a proper balance within the squad so the central midfield would have one defensive midfielder and one attacking.

There might be a bit of bias towards the German team but that is because I follow the league passionately and have greater knowledge of it compared to the Italian and Spanish ones.

As a final note, I would like to say that I have only considered players born on and after 1988 as that would mean they are at least 21 or reaching 21.

Anyways, here it goes. Starting from the back-line all the way to the strikers.

1. Goalkeeper: Sergio Asenjo

When you have a chance, you need to grab it with both hands. Sergio Asenjo did just that in December 2007 when, due to poor performances from both first team goalkeepers, he was given a start against the likes of Guiseppe Rossi and Santi Carzola. He was just 18 years old at the time.

The match ended in a 2-0 win for his club Real Valladolid.

Since then the man who grew up within the Valladolid region hasn't looked back and has since become one of, if not the, biggest goalkeeping prospects in world football.

He had a high reputation coming into the U-21 tournament, and that reputation was only cemented by a string of strong performances as part of an under performing team.

A move to European competitors Atheltico Madrid is the next step in his career that will surely see him play on one of the European giants sooner rather than later.

2. Right Back: Lorenzo De Silvestre

Italians have always been known for their strong defense. Latest Fiorentina signing Lorenzo De Silvestre is no different, though with an attacking edge as well.

Born and raised in the eternal city, it was at Lazio where he made is breakthrough. The 2007-08 season proved to be his breakthrough making a number of appearances as Lazio endured a difficult season.

Nevertheless, young Silevestre's reputation only grew and was taking onto the successful Italian Toulan 2008 squad. Further appearances for the U-21 has seen him become the captain of the new batch following the ineligibility of Sebastian Giovinco for the next tournament.

With a move to Fiorentina, De Silvestre will get the chance to impress in Europe again and possibly move himself into the reckoning for a spot in the Italian World Cup squad, possibly competing with fellow young RB Davide Santon.

3. Center Back: Jerome Boateng

One half of the strongest central defense in the European U-21 tournament, Boateng proved to be one of the surprise packages in the tournament. This was mainly due to the fact that Boateng barely played at CB for his club Hamburg in the previous season.

Part of Jol's renaissance at Hamburg, young Jerome was constantly shifted between RB and central midfield depending on the opposition and players being rotated. Thus it seemed he didn't have a fixed favourite position.

But that is why we have these tournaments, to distinguish the talented from the overhyped and show managers just how good a player can be. Jerome proved how good a CB he can be forming a perfect partnership with Benidekt Howedes.

Comfortable with the ball on his feet and having good defensive awareness, Boateng oozed class throughout the tournament creating a buzz throughout Europe, even causing interest within the blue half of Milan.

With the Senior German defence coming under criticism lately, Boateng might just turn out to be the man needed to solve the problem.

4. Center Back: Benidekt Howedes

Big, strong, aggressive. Some of the qualities needed in the typical, old school defender. 20 year old Benidekt Howedes has those in abundance.

The 2nd half of the central defence that let in only one goal throughout the tournament, Howedes was like the Vidic to Rio Ferdinand, or the Steve Bruce to Gary Pallister. Going in for challenges and asserting himself in the air against the strikers, Howedes was not one to be messed with.

Howedes has enjoyed a relatively smooth development into the Schalke first team. Making a number of appearances in the 2007-08 season, the last season proved to be the one to fully showcase his talents.

Taking his place alongside Bordon more often than not with former starter Malden Krstajic's poor performances, Howedes looked mature for his tender age and assured in the center of what proved to be the Bundesliga's strongest defence over the season.

Germany actually owed more to Howedes than normally thought, for it was actually because of him Germany was in the European Championships. It was his last minute goal against France in the playoff that began the German's historic trip to the final Sweden.

5. Left Back: Kieran Gibbs

Ashely Cole and Kieran Gibbs. Put a mask over their heads and after watching them play, you wouldn't know the difference. That says a lot of not only the style of play of the Arsenal youngster, but also of the quality.

Still at a very young age of 19, Gibbs has played in clutch Champions League matches against Europe's best and has also plied his trade in the worlds toughest league. Its safe to say Ronaldo didn't have as easy as a time as he, or anyone else watching the match, would have thought when he learned he was up against a young 19 year old.

Quick and with a good tackle, Gibbs could go on to emulate fellow Arsenal youth graduate Ashley Cole and become Arsenal's and England's No.1 left back. Though having strong competition in Gael Clichy, injuries and fixture congestion will mean the LB will get consistent chances to enhance his growing reputation.

6. Right Midfield: Adem Ljajic

The right sided midfielder was brought into the limelight after his transfer to English giant Manchester United. If Ferguson wants you, the odds are you are quite the talented player. I, for one, consider him to be the true heir to Ronaldo.

View counters of videos of the youngster went up ten fold as more fans wanted to get a glimpse of him in action. Most would not have been disappointed. Skilled on the ball and a fantastic shot, he seems the real deal, even if YouTube videos can make David Bellion look like Thierry Henry.

Being just 18 years of age, Adem has already made close to 30 first team appearances for Partizan Belgrade, including matches in the UEFA Cup, scoring a total of six goals.

An experienced U-19 campaigner, Adem has only just stepped into the U-21 side and will surely be one to look out for in the qualifiers for the next edition of European U-21 tournament.

7. Central Defenisve Midfield: Sergio Busquets

If you asked me before last season who Sergio Busquets was, my immediate reaction would have been "Sergio who?". The man was an unknown outside Catalunia, and such was the unawareness of his talent that he hadn't had an U-21 appearance till he appeared for the Barcelona first team for the first time in September 2008.

His rise has been immense to say the least. One year on, the man has already represented his country seven times, has been called up to a major tournament and has started in a Champions League final winning squad.

If Busquets was even still relatively unknown to those outside Spain, that final performance surely asserted him as one of the top talents in world football. Against a world class Manchester United midfield consisting of the likes of England regular Michael Carrick, fellow wonderkid Anderson and veteran Ryan Giggs, he seemed to hold his own and control the midfield.

A sure bet for many to take over from Marcos Senna once the Villareal man decides to call his career to an end, Busquets is on his way to having a long illustrious career for the La Roja.

8. Central Attacking Midfield: Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil is quite possibly the most talented U-21 player in the world today. If his exploits for Werder Bremen last season didn't prove it, then his performances in the European U-21 surely did. A goal and two assists in the final was a sweet finale to an excellent tournament for the 20 year old Gelsenkirchen (yes NOT Turkey!) born playmaker.

His talent was shown in bits and pieces during the year he broke through into the Schalke first team. A perfect move to the lands best attacking side awaited in January 2008, and the young lad hasn't looked back since.

Blessed with an incredible touch, speed, and a brain six years mature he is certainly one to bring the creativity so lacking in Germany's midfield of late. He has already set his mark in the senior side, scoring on his first start against South Africa and giving a wonderful overall performance.

With Diego out of the way in Werder Bremen and the playmaking duties fully set on the German, this season could well prove to be the break through he needs to become a firm fixture in the German squad for 2010, and be a major figure in the tournament.

9. Left Midfield: Juan Manuel Mata

Juan Mata wasn't included in the Spanish squad for the U-21 tournament as he was taken by Del Bosque (like Busquests and Pique) to the Confederations Cup in South Africa. It represented his first major tournament for the La Roja and he didn't see much time.

He was desperately needed by his U-21 compatriots though, as they struggled throughout the tournament and they were ones to go out in a group containing England and Germany.

The fact that Mata was considered by Del Bosque for a spot on the Spanish squad shows how much he has come through from being a relative unknown in the Real Madrid reserves squad. Now at Valencia, he is a consistent fixture either out on the left or in the middle and has formed a terrifying partnership with David Villa and David Silva.

Speedy, technically brilliant, and with an eye for the goal (11 goals in a season as a winger) Mata looks set to give his club mate David Silva a run for his money as Spain's LM come 2010 and further on.

10. Striker: Mario Balotelli

Brash, inconsistent, brat. Call him whatever you want, but in the words of Jon Champion describing a 19 year old Ryan Giggs after scoring a goal against QPR: "The Boy's A Genius!"

16 goals in 49 appearances in Italy's top flight is a record most strikers would be proud of, the fact that it comes from a 19 year old makes the feat more impressive. Also considering he has had to compete with the likes of Ibracadabra, Julio Cruz, Crespo and David Suazo over the years.

The arrivals of Diego Milito, Eto'o and Arnautovic will increase the pressure but the exits of Ibrahimovic, Cruz and Crespo should mean he would develop normally. Big, strong and with the ability to play both on the wings and in the middle means Balotelli will surely be a huge asset both domestically and internationally.

Lippi's knack of choosing experience over youth would mean Balotelli has a low chances of getting a place in the 2010 World Cup squad, though with another U-21 tournament coming in 2011, it would represent another opportunity to impress ahead of the European championships in 2012.

11. Striker: Bojan Krkic

There must be some black magic going on inside the youth complex at Barcelona. The way more and more wonderkids have been coming up over the last decade has been nothing short of amazing. From Xavi and Puyol in the early 2000's to Iniesta, Valdes, Messi in the middle to now Busquests and Krkic. Oh, and did I forget to mention Pique and Fabregas?

Whatever the case, Krkic seems dead set to join his fellow graduates and become a world class player. Opportunities have been lower with Guardiola at the helm but the youngster still managed another 10+ goals season which is a great accomplishment for a youngster in one of the top leagues in the world.

With Henry reaching the latter stages of his career, many see Bojan, with his ability to play on the wings and middle as the natural replacement for The Kind (oh wait, its actually only Theirry Henry, there is only one kind. Eric). In fact, Bojan looks up to Henry and claims him to be his mentor, which bodes all the more well for Barcelona fans.

Notable Mentions

Here are some of the players I considered for the various positions. Some I decided not to chose since I had less knowledge of them:

Goalkeepers: Tobias Sippel

Defenders: Davide Santon, Simon Kjaer, Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic

Midfielders: Steven Jovetic, Lee Catermole, Timo Gebhart, Diego Capel, Marko Marin

Forwards: Julian Scheiber, Thomas Muller, Tomas Necid

Please give your feedback and name any players you think I've missed, especially with the Right Midfield position where I struggled to pick an established player. Marin, Jovetic could play there but they are more left sided players.