It’s an old mantra many of Europe’s leading club still subscribe to - if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.
Right across the continent, young stars have been illuminating games and inspiring the fans throughout the season.
Here’s our countdown of the top 20 young players at European clubs right now (excluding those playing in the Premier League), the only criteria being that they must be 21 or under.
20. Stephan El Shaarawy (Milan)
It’s been a write-off season for the Milan striker after a foot injury ruled him out of all but five of their Serie A fixtures but he remains one of the most highly-rated young players in Europe.
The fact that his absence coincided with a sharp dip in Milan’s fortunes under Clarence Seedorf only underlines the 21-year-old’s importance.
He was excellent the season before, scoring 16 goals in 37 Serie A appearances and we’re sure it won’t be long before the kid known as ‘The Pharaoh’ is ruling opposition penalty boxes again.
Who's watching: Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid are among the admirers, as are Napoli and Torino, but £25m is the starting price.
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19. Paulo Dybala (Palermo)
Palermo have walked Serie B this season to make a triumphant return to the top flight and the Argentine striker has played a full part.
Manchester City were chasing him a few years ago, perhaps because many say his finishing is reminiscent of Sergio Aguero, but he stayed to help Palermo back into the big time.
They’ll struggle to keep hold of the 19-year-old for much longer if he continues in the same vein.
Who's watching: Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan and City have all monitored his progress since he was a teenager in Argentina. Rated at £12m.
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18. Ali Adnan (Rizespor)
Adnan has been christened the ‘Iraqi Gareth Bale’, which is certainly an interesting nickname.
Hailing from Iraq’s capital Baghdad, Ali Adnan Kadhim Nassir Al-Tameemi (to give him his full name) is a rapid left back who plays for Rizespor in the Turkish Super League.
The Asian Player of the Year is being monitored by plenty of big clubs across Europe but has so far been content to play for a more modest outfit and build his reputation.
Who's watching: Arsenal, Liverpool, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund and Galatasaray all recognise Adnan's potential and that adds to his value of £8m.
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17. Alvaro Vadillo (Real Betis)
With Real Betis heading down to the second division, their star asset Vadillo is sure to be spirited away at some point this summer and potentially to the Premier League.
Vadillo was the youngest ever player to start a La Liga match back in 2011 at the age of 16 years and 11 months and his blistering pace on the left wing has been troubling defences ever since.
If he can make his crossing more effective, Vadillo will be quite a force to be reckoned with.
Who's watching: Tottenham and Arsenal have made enquiries. Real Madrid, Liverpool, West Brom and Malaga also like a player who could go for as little as £6m initially.
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16. Zakaria Bakkali (PSV)
If reports are to be believed that he turned down a new contract at PSV, Bakkali could be coming to a Premier League ground near you soon.
The 18-year-old winger already has plenty of games under his belt in Holland and has been capped by Belgium at the end of the World Cup qualification campaign.
A stunning hat-trick against NEC in the second round of Eredivisie fixtures this season showed precisely what Bakkali is capable of.
Who's watching: Liverpool and Arsenal have been regular observers among half of Europe's elite. His contract talks are at an impasse and bids are expected in coming days.
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15. Mattia De Sciglio (Milan)
Milan’s first-choice right back at just 21, De Sciglio performs both his defensive and offensive duties with class.
His season has been affected by a couple of injury set-backs but he is consistently in the team when fit and available, and will likely be going to the World Cup as he tries to add to his nine Italy caps.
De Sciglio is far from the finished article - his crossing being one area where work is required - but he has plenty of time to develop.
Who's watching: Manchester United and Real Madrid have admired De Sciglio, as have Arsenal, but Milan would struggle to justify a sale below £18m.
Progress: Right back Mattia De Sciglio is developing fast at AC Milan and could go to the World Cup with Italy
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14. Kurt Zouma (St Etienne)
Zouma just about qualifies for our European list for this season, but he will very much be a Chelsea man come August.
Jose Mourinho was so impressed by the 19-year-old’s poise and presence in the Saint-Etienne defence, he made a personal call to convince him to move to London.
A £12.5m deal was duly sewn up for the centre half in January and it will be hoped he can be a long-term replacement for John Terry.
Who's watching: Long future at Stamford Bridge ahead of him if he continues to build on his potential. Could quickly become a crowd favourite.
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13. Hakan Calhanoglu (Hamburg)
It’s been an horrendous season for Hamburg as they fought successfully to retain their top-flight status, but a rare bright point has come in the form of 20-year-old Calhanoglu.
He scored with a brilliantly audacious 45-yard free-kick in the win over Dortmund earlier in the season and his talent has inevitably attracted the attention of leading clubs including Chelsea.
Calhanoglu has drawn comparisons with Mesut Ozil and they share many attributes.
Who's watching: Bayer Leverkusen are hopeful, Hakan wants to play regularly so has dampened the ambitions of Bayern Munich and Chelsea. Will cost £10m.
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12. Marquinhos (PSG)
The two Brazilians complement one another well and the 20-year-old has learned much from the man he calls his ‘model and idol’.
Never flustered and with a good command of the penalty box, many other opportunities on the international stage will come for the youngster.
Who's watching: Barcelona are the favourites at this stage with Dani Alves possibly going the other way as part of the overall £40million deal.
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11. Viktor Fischer (Ajax)
There seems to be a never-ending supply of talented midfielders coming through the ranks at Ajax and, just like their previous prodigy Christian Eriksen, Fischer hails from Denmark.
A series of confident performances as Ajax again claimed the Eredivisie once again have the Premier League clubs sitting up and taking an interest.
The fluidity of their play suits his style, with his dribbling and finishing already better than expected for a 19-year-old.
Who's watching: Usual pattern of progression for Ajax starlets beckons. Would cost £12m with Barcelona, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal interested.
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10. Jese Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
Promoted to the Real Madrid first team squad at the start of the season, Jese had enjoyed a positive debut season until a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament brought it to a premature conclusion in March.
Carlo Ancelotti has deployed the 21-year-old on both wings and as an out-and-out forward and he has contributed eight goals and six assists.
If Karim Benzema departs this summer, perhaps Jese can look forward to further opportunities to prove his undoubted goalscoring potential.
Who's watching: May be allowed out on loan to develop fitness but is well thought of by Madrid, who will rebuff any bids despite interest from Napoli.
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9. Marco Verratti (PSG)
Verratti has been a regular in the PSG midfield for two seasons now, which isn’t bad going for a 21-year-old.
The Italian put his razor-sharp passing to good effect as the Parisians claimed a second Ligue 1 title in succession and his performances were enough to persuade Cesare Prandelli to include him in his provisional World Cup squad.
Who's watching: Juventus would like Verratti back in Italy but Roma could be the surprise bidders. Chelsea and Arsenal like him, bidding would begin at £22m.
Experience beyond his years: Italy midfielder Marco Verratti has already won two Ligue 1 titles at PSG
Breaking through: Raphael Varane started for Real Madrid as they won a tenth Champions League title
source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2640406/Thibaut-Courtois-Raphael-Varane-Julian-Draxler-20-best-young-stars-European-football.html
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