Martin Odegaard and Top Young Stars to Watch During the International Break

The international break is almost upon us. With plenty of quality encounters on the horizon, there are sure to be no shortage of top players on show. But just who will top our list of youngsters to watch? Martin Odegaard? Romelu Lukaku?

Might we see a surprise in our final slide?

Offering a chance for many players to get some precious game time in friendly encounters as well as in the European qualifying fixtures, many will be expected to take their opportunity with aplomb.

Note that here players have been selected with huge emphasis on those aged 23 or under as well as selecting players with fewer than 20 international caps.

As always, this is intended as an opportunity to start discussion as much as it is to end it. So, feel free to have your own say in the comments thread, below.

Honourable Mentions

Tony Marshall/Getty Images

Ryan Gauld is one to watch for the future.

Before we begin the big countdown to our No. 1 spot, we're going to take a brief look at some honourable mentions.

The following players may or may not feature in this international break due to the fact the squads have yet to be announced or finalised, but they look set to enjoy a profitable few years at the top with their respective countries.

Gedion Zelalem

According to ESPN's Doug McIntyre, Jurgen Klinsmann is interested in bringing Zelalem into the international set-up as soon as possible. So we could see him feature for the USMNT before the month is out.

Currently on the books with Arsenal, the 18-year-old from Germany impressed the U.S coach with his skills already, saying: "I think he's already at a level that he can definitely play on the senior team. He's a special player."

Jetro Willems

Sitting proudly atop the domestic assists chart with PSV Eindhoven, according to ESPN, the rising star would do well to approach Netherlands' international clashes in a free-spirited manner. Often owing the left wing and taking on opposing right-backs with great effectiveness, his delivery is the best in the league.

He could just earn himself a big-money move if he continues to attract the right sort of attention.

Ryan Gauld

Living under the weight of an annoying tag, the youngster often dubbed "Mini Messi" has worked hard to concentrate on his football.

Playing some attractive football with Sporting CP in Portugal, the 19-year-old remains on the radar of Gordon Strachan, so don't be surprised to see him feature for Scotland's senior side again at some point this year.

13. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Pierre-Emile Hojberg has already played in the Champions League.

Denmark are set to welcome the United States to NRGi Park for a friendly on March 25, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could well make a big impact on proceedings.

Currently on loan with FC Augsburg from Bayern Munich, the 19-year-old has been gaining plenty of first-team experience with his new club, something that should see him eventually blossom into an even finer talent than he already is.

After all, he already has experience in the Champions League under one of the best coaches in the game.

Bleacher Report's Transfers Correspondent Allan Jiang, in the recent past, described his style of play perfectly here: "Hojbjerg has a smooth passing motion, he is poised on the ball and is a quick decision-maker."

Indeed, against Jurgen Klinsmann's charges, he could well hold the key to an easy victory with his vision and speed of thought, especially considering they are at home.

Plus, the Danes have just two wins from their last five matches and will be eager to bounce back and make an impact.

12. Havard Nielsen

Ian Walton/Getty Images

Norway's Havard Nielsen has huge potential.

With just 11 international caps to his name, Havard Nielsen is not guaranteed a starting berth in Per-Mathias Hogmo's set-up, but if he does make an appearance in the coming days, don't be surprised to see him snatch a goal or two.

Plying his trade with FC Braunschweig in the Bundesliga II, the 21-year-old has netted 10 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions so far this season.

Indeed, that's not a bad return considering he has struggled with injury at times.

Having netted in their 2-1 win against Bulgaria back in October, Nielsen, along with the likes of Joshua King, has started to make a real impact. Transferring his club form across nicely, he has shown glimpses of brilliance.

At such a young age, Nielsen could see his star skyrocket over the course of the next 12 months. And with a big clash against Croatia on the way, he'll have another chance to showcase his talent to a wider audience. 

11. Chris Ikonomidis

Obtaining his first call-up to the Australia national team, Chris Ikonomidis has received just reward for a series of impressive displays at club level.

As seen in the video package above, the 19-year-old Australian clearly possesses a keen eye for goal.

Acting as a poacher in the box, he's enjoyed a decent amount of success for Lazio's Primavera and was recently chosen among the substitutes for two of their most recent matches.

In fact, he's already scored 15 goals for the reserve side this campaign.

His rise to prominence has led him to the cusp of stardom, and with world champions Germany facing the Socceroos at the end of March, Ikonomidis has the opportunity to really make an even bigger name for himself—you can already imagine the top clubs forming an orderly queue should he score against Die Mannschaft.

The rapid transformation isn't lost on him at all, and a recent interview with FOX Sports' David Weiner underlines his mature nature, something that should help him continue to grow.

"

I'm kind of ready in a way because I'm training on a daily basis with players like [Miroslav] Klose, [Antonio] Candreva, players of this European quality. So, I think, it will be a big step to be in this camp, but I think I'm ready for it in a way, and I'm confident with my own ability. I'm doing good stuff on the pitch and I'm getting rewarded for that with calls up to the first-team bench and stuff like that.

"

10. Derlis Gonzalez

Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Derlis Gonzalez is a 20-year-old star for FC Basel.

Since making a rather grand entrance late in 2014, Derlis Gonzalez has continued to attract admiring glances.

After all, he's a player who marked his official Champions League debut with an outstanding individual display and a goal for FC Basel against current holders Real Madrid.

Dubbed "Speedy Gonzalez" by Swiss publication Blick (in German), it's clear that pace is one of his biggest strengths.

Reminiscent of fellow South American Alexis Sanchez in that he possesses tremendous close control, an ability to turn on his heel in a flash and also an eye for creating and finishing chances, he'll be a handful for any defences he faces this year.

More specifically, the 20-year-old will be expected to grab all the headlines for Paraguay against Costa Rica when they square up to each other in a friendly within the coming days.

9. Cyrus Christie

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Cyrus Christie has impressed many in his home country of Ireland.

He might not be a Premier League player, but there can be no denying the ability of young Derby County starlet Cyrus Christie.

A bustling, energetic presence who often bursts down the right flank with intent and purpose, the Republic of Ireland international has injected a great deal of excitement into Martin O'Neill's set-up since coming on board late last year.

Although Seamus Coleman might be the regular, first-choice right-back, the 22-year-old is giving the team some much-needed competition. Already named in the provisional squad for their next few fixtures, he is expected to survive the cull when it takes place.

Plying his trade in the Championship, the Coventry-born wing-back has been in impressive form. With six assists to his name in the league already this season, he's been terrorising left-backs on a weekly basis.

If given a chance and thrown into the mix against Poland toward the end of March, the youngster could help drastically improve Ireland's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016.

8. Danilo Luiz Da Silva

If being linked with both Real Madrid and Barcelona isn't a sign of a player's talents, a good old-fashioned examination of his actual on-field exploits normally tells us everything we need to know.

The fact remains, however, that Danilo has been targeted by the two La Liga giants. 

Most recently, Goal.com's Ben Hayward revealed that the Madridistas are in the final stages of tying up a deal for the 23-year-old's services.

It's easy to see exactly why.

Looking at the highlights reel above gives a brief indication of the threat he carries.

Swift and dangerous when arriving with the ball at his feet, he's very capable of stealing the ball from opposing defenders to set up counter-attacks.

And he can defend a bit, too. A regular in Porto's rearguard, he's been a major factor in their defensive solidity; conceding just 10 goals in 24 games, Danilo has earned rave reviews from those in the know.

Having started all five of Brazil's recent matches, it would be a major departure to see him dropped, despite a recent injury scare in their Champions League victory against FC Basel.

7. Marquinhos

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Marquinhos is on everyone's radar these days.

With just four international caps to his name, Paris Saint-Germain's incredibly gifted Marquinhos could well have been the difference between Brazil's disastrous 2014 World Cup campaign and potential victory.

Alas, hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the 20-year-old centre-back is finally getting his moment in the spotlight.

On the fringes of Dunga's plans, he normally takes his place on the substitutes' bench, but with such magnificent displays for Laurent Blanc both in Europe and in Ligue 1, it's going to be difficult for the ex-player to ignore him for much longer.

Starring in his side's dramatic victory against Chelsea in the last 16 of the Champions League, the prodigy has already tasted success against some of the best teams out there—experience that will stand to him wonderfully in the coming months as his continued to grow.

Brazil are set to face France in Paris before the month is out, and if Dunga does decide to gamble on him, Marquinhos will surely feel comfortable doing what he does best in his second home. And he won't fear the French attacking force.

How could he when he faces Zlatan Ibrahimovic in training on a regular basis?

6. Diego Reyes

Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Diego Reyes is in Miguel Herrera's most recent squad.

Included in Miguel Herrera's squad for Mexico's upcoming friendlies, Diego Reyes is a name not many will be all that familiar with.

A star with Porto, the 22-year-old has just 17 international caps to his name having featured sparsely since 2011. 

With his club form suffering immensely due to a real lack of minutes, as outlined by WhoScored.com, the young defender is in danger of seeing his talents wasted on the sidelines.

Now presented with a real chance to prove himself once again, he'll look to keep a tight ship at the back when El Tricolor take on Ecuador and Paraguay.

5. Roberto Firmino

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Roberto Firmino has been lucky enough to be included in Brazil's squad.

At just 23 years of age, Roberto Firmino is in with a real shout of earning only his third cap for A Selecao.

Surrounded by names a lot more familiar to many pundits' ears, he's unlikely to attract too much attention, but if he plays his cards right and works hard, he could learn a lot from his experience.

Do the right things and he could just earn himself a big-money move from 1899 Hoffenheim if he continues to attract the right sort of attention.

After all, he's already attracted attention from some top clubs including Arsenal and Liverpool for his ability to pull the strings in the middle of the park, as reported by Metro's Jamie Sanderson.

He might just surprise us all.

4. Martin Odegaard

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Martin Odegaard will again be looked to as Norway's playmaker.

The hype surrounding young Martin Odegaard has died down considerably in the weeks following his hugely publicised move to La Liga giants Real Madrid.

But his talent remains firmly intact.

And defences unlucky enough to have to contain him over the international period are sure to return to their clubs fatigued, dazed and confused.

He'll make sure of that.

After all, his age belies his talent.

Facing Croatia in a crucial European qualifier, the 16-year-old, as crazy as it might sound, will be looked to by many fans as one of their crucial creators.

Having already settled in to his surroundings at Real Madrid Castilla, he's had a little bit of time to get used to the rhythm of playing football once again without the same level of media attention.

Once the big match kicks off before the end of the month, however, we can expect the supremely talented virtuoso to produce a little bit of magic or even a goal.

After all, he's already scored for his new club against Barakaldo and will be hungry for more.

3. Romelu Lukaku

Yves Logghe/Associated Press

Romelu Lukaku has been in fine form of late for his club Everton.

Ever since he dressed himself up as a want-away star, Romelu Lukaku has been in breathtaking form for Everton.

Whether it's a sign of his intent to make up for his reckless comments to the fans or a less-than-subtle "come and get me" plea, it's hard to tell. 

What's a lot more obvious is that the towering Belgium international is back to his best, and that can only be a good thing if you support Les Diables Rouges.

Then again, it's not so good if you're a Cypriot or Israeli defender because they're going to have to deal with his physicality, energy and sheer clinical firepower over the course of the next few weeks.

According to Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia), Mino Raiola, a well-known agent, has put the Toffees on high alert after claiming that Juventus need players of his calibre if they intend to win the Champions League.

And it's no wonder, after he recently became the highest-scoring Everton player in European competition with seven goals, as relayed by the BBC's Luke Reddy.

In scintillating form, the 21-year-old will certainly be one of the best players to watch as Belgium look to make it four games without defeat in European qualification.

2. Philippe Coutinho

Fernando Llano/Associated Press

Philippe Coutinho is a real danger man for both club and country.

Early in March, Brazil's 23-man squad was announced and Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho found himself included alongside the likes of Willian, Oscar and Neymar Jr.

Talented company, indeed.

Coutinho himself though is equally as impressive as his attacking team-mates and is rightfully included for the way he's been playing under Brendan Rodgers in the Premier League.

Injecting the Reds' style of play with some samba skills, he's not only been flashy but constructive as well.

With just five caps to his name prior to this, it will be intriguing to see if he can continue to impress Dunga at the Stade de France. 

If thrown into the match, he will do his utmost to expose the hosts' defence with his characteristically positive driving runs—we might even be lucky enough to see him blast home yet another long-range scorcher.

Keep your eyes peeled.

1. Harry Kane

Steve Bardens/Getty Images

Harry Kane has done everything and more to solicit a call-up to the England squad.

If Harry Kane doesn't get selected for Roy Hodgson's latest England squad, it will be a mystery so big not even Scooby Doo could solve it.

And that's saying something.

As reported by Martin Domin for the Daily Mail, the 21-year-old is fresh from winning the Barclay's Premier League Player of the Month award for the second consecutive month, a feat only Robbie Fowler, Dennis Bergkamp and Cristiano Ronaldo have managed before him.

In truth, it really would be something if the Tottenham Hotpsur striker is left out of England's upcoming qualifiers.

Some might agree that their four-match winning streak is proof enough that the management don't need to fix what isn't broken.

Yet Kane is by far the best English striker out there at the moment, and even if he doesn't work out against Lithuania, Hodgson can at least say he tried to appease the fans and go with the logical option.

Nevertheless, having worked so hard for his club, the future looks bright for the young forward, and if he doesn't get called up this month, it's only a matter of time until he does.