U-21 Team of the Year 2014

2014 was a great year in football. It saw Real Madrid and Germany get back to the top in club and international football, as they won the Champions League and FIFA World Cup respectively. While the year saw some great performances from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, it also saw the emergence of a new breed of players, who look set to take the world by storm.Energetic and full of promise, there were some young players who caught the eye in 2014. So let us take a look at who makes it into the U-21 team of 2014. Is there a spot for Paul Pogba, who won the Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup? What about youngsters from Barcelona and Real Madrid, and one of Germany’s very talented World Cup squad? Go ahead and read on.The team will be set-up in a 4-3-3 formation.

#1 Goal keeper: Simone Scuffet (Udinese)

Ever since he made his debut as a 17-year-old for Udinese against Bologna, Simone Scuffet's stock has been on the rise. Although still only 18, the Italian has already made over 15 appearances for his club. Last season, when Udinese were struggling in Serie A and were without a reliable keeper, they turned to Scuffet and he did not disappoint.

Not only did he keep a clean sheet on debut, he went on to finish the season as the club's first-choice keeper even though he hadn't turned 18 yet. Calm, composed and with a penchant for saving penalties, the Italian has already been compared with Gianluigi Buffon, who similarly made his debut as a 17-year-old. Although he still has a few flaws he needs to iron out, there is no denying the potential that will surely see him become one of the world's best keepers in a few years time.