Jack Wilshere and the Top 20 Next Paul Scholes in World Football

''My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder. Scholes is undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation."     

-Zinedine Zidane

From a man widely regarded as one of the finest players of all time, tributes don’t come much greater. Since he first pulled on a Manchester United shirt at the age of 19, Scholes has made over 600 appearances for the club and is considered among the best midfielders of the modern era.

At the age of 36, he remains a vital cog in United’s push for another treble, but his retirement isn’t far away and talk will soon turn to his successor.

There's a myriad of young, gifted attacking midfielders plying their trade in the higher echelons of World football who are often described as potential greats and compared to the diminutive Manchester United midfielder.

But who are the most likely heirs to the great Paul Scholes?

20. Philippe Coutinho

Aged just 18, this Brazilian prodigy hasn’t had much first-team action to display his talents but that may well change as Inter Milan strive to compete on domestic and European fronts.

At just 5’7" Coutihno may not possess the physical attributes required to flourish in the Premier League, but his range of dribbling skills should ensure a successful career at Inter or another of Europe's premier sides.

19. Keisuke Honda

Honda shot to prominence at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, propelling Japan into the final 16.

The free kick specialist is capable of playing a wide range of roles within the central midfield from deep lying playmaker to out and out attacker.

With experience of Champions League action also under his belt, Honda may well be a potential replacement for Scholes at Old Trafford.

18. Miralem Pjanic

The 20-year-old Bosnian moved to Olympique Lyonnais two years ago and has already made quite an impact.

Established in the first team squad of one of Europe's top clubs at such a young age earmarks him as a star of the future.

17. Moussa Sissoko

At the age of just 21, the physically imposing midfielder has already played over 140 games for Toulouse and earned three caps for France.

Capable of playing in either the holding or a more attacking midfield role, a move to Europe's bigger clubs has been long touted.

16. Steven Defour

Long earmarked as a possible replacement for Scholes, Sir Alex Ferguson has even gone so far as to personally wish the Belgian well after a serious injury.

Playing with Standard Liege in the Jupiler League isn’t an ideal platform to judge his merits, but Sir Alex’s affections probably tell us all we need to know.

15. Adel Taraabt

Despite early promise, the Moroccan failed to make the grade at Tottenham Hotspur and was sold to the Queens Park Rangers.

The moniker "Disco Adel" didn't suggest a propensity for the hard work and physical exchanges one would associate with lower league football, but Taarabt has been a revelation.

His 15 goals from midfield have brought QPR to the cusp of promotion and earned the wonderfully exciting Moroccan the player of the year award. 

14. Shinji Kagawa

Borrussia Dortmund have made a huge impact in this season’s Bundeliga and this young Japanese maestro has been the jewel in their crown.

In his first season of European football, Kagawa has averaged almost a goal every two games from his attacking midfield role.

His side’s domestic form means he should play in the Champions League next season and the German side are sure for a strong return on their paltry investment of €350,000.  

13. Toni Kroos

Yet another of the seemingly endless supply of German wonder kids, Kroos might not have attracted the same amount of spotlight as his contemporaries but he certainly possesses talent.

His 18-month loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen demonstrated his ability and he played in the 2010 World Cup finals.

He returned to Bayern in the summer and has quickly reinstated himself in their first-team plans.   

12. Josh McEachran

Pushing your way into first team contention at 17 is impressive, doing it at one of the world’s richest clubs is nothing short of exceptional.

What’s more, McEachran hasn’t put a foot out of place in a high pressure environment and his composure and passing ability earmark a star for the future.

11. Nuri Sahin

Like the aforementioned Kagawa, Sahin has earned rave reviews for his part in Dortmund’s seemingly unstoppable march to the Bundesliga title.

The midfielder became the youngest player to appear in the German first division in 2005 and has delivered on his early potential in fine style.

Rumors abound of his departure to more illustrious climes, but his national coach Guud Hiddink has urged him to remain at Westfalenstadion for another couple of years at least.

10. Alan Dzagoev

The youngest outfield player to appear for Russia, Dzagoev is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in European football.

Clever and with a superb range of passing, he also averages a goal every three games for CSKA Moscow.

He scored his first international goal in the World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland and has also excelled in the Champions League.

9. Sergio Canales

A spectacular 2009-2010 season at Racing Santander catapulted this young playmaker to stardom, and Real Madrid didn't even wait until the summer to tie up a deal for his signature.

His opportunities have been limited thus far, but his vision, creativity and intelligence should ensure a long and prosperous career.

8. Sotiris Ninis

Man of the match in his debut as a 16 year old, Ninis has long been heralded as a star of the future.

His attacking instincts didn’t fit into Otto Rehhagel's plans for the World Cup and he was limited to just two substitute appearances.

He has been repeatedly linked with a move to Manchester United and can play on the right of midfield as well as in the centre.

7. Jordan Henderson

Under the watchful eye of Sir Alex’s former lieutenant Steve Bruce, Henderson has enjoyed steady progress at the Stadium of Light.

Capable of playing on the right or centre of midfield, his driving runs and range of passing have already attracted envious glances from the Old Trafford hierarchy.

It would be no surprise if Sunderland were made a summer offer they couldn’t refuse.

6. Marek Hamsik

The driving force behind Napoli’s surprising title challenge, the Slovakian midfielder possesses all the skills of a young Paul Scholes.

Despite Slovakia’s progression to the final 16 of the World Cup, Hamsik failed to catch the eye but we’ll be seeing a lot more of him in the years ahead.

A prolific goal-scoring record for a midfielder, allied to his creativity, has made him a sought-after commodity among Europe's top clubs.

5. Paulo Henrique

Dubbed the new Kaka, the youngster enthralled in his first season in Brazil’s Serie A, receiving a nomination for Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Similar in style to the Real Madrid playmaker, he is currently working his way back from a knee injury and assisted a goal within 30 seconds of his return to action last week.

Included in Brazil’s extended pre-World Cup squad, Ganso made his international debut shortly after the tournament and a move to one of Europe’s big leagues should soon follow.

4. Aaron Ramsey

The horrific leg injury sustained against Stoke last year stymied his progress, but he regained his place in Arsenal’s side during the weekend and will look to continue where he left off.

Sir Alex Ferguson identified him as a replacement for Scholes while still at Cardiff, however his tour of Old Trafford with Gary Neville failed to convince him it was where his future lay.

United’s loss has been Arsenal’s gain, and the Gunners' possess a creative midfielder with a bright future ahead of him.

3. Javier Pastore

A fantastic first full season in Serie A saw this young playmaker named in Diego Maradona’s World Cup squad.

His form has reputedly attracted the interest of both Manchester clubs who have been heavily linked with the diminutive attacking midfielder.

Mooted fees of over €40 million reflect the guile and composure the youngster has displayed.  

2. Thomas Muller

The young star of the 2010 World Cup has played much of his football on the wing and up front, but possesses the attributes to play in a central creative role as well.

A spectacular breakthrough season at Bayern heralded a Bundesliga title and a Champions League final appearance prior to his World Cup call up.

A proven scorer and creator of goals, Muller looks set to take his place among the anthology of great German midfielders. 

1. Jack Wilshere.

He’s young enough to be the great man’s son and from looking at both midfielders plying their trade, you’d be forgiven for thinking that was the case.

Coltishly energetic, creative and unselfish, Wilshere seems oblivious to the burgeoning media spotlight and associated pressure.

Seamlessly slotting into one of the best midfields in club football while still a teenager, Wilshere's astonishing talent and composure make him the outstanding young midfielder of his generation.