World Cup 2014: Top 5 young players thus far

Serge Aurier (right) has put his name in the discussion for best right-back in the world with his performances this summer.

5. Serge Aurier (RB, Ivory Coast)

Most football fans outside of France would have done well to know who he was before the tournament began.  Everyone knew him by name and were aware of interest from big clubs, especially Arsenal, but Aurier’s reputation as an emerging candidate for best right-back in the world has been solidified by his fantastic performances for the Ivory Coast this summer.

It is unfortunate that his talents will not be on display in the round of 16 after Les Elephants completely bottled it in the last 30 seconds against Greece to see them crash out of the group stage in stunning fashion, but Aurier hardly put a foot wrong in the tournament.  With so much talk around Yaya Toure, Wilfried Bony, Didier Drogba and others, Aurier was their best player in Brazil.  His over all performance was highlighted by his two superb assists against Japan, but for someone who is as attack minded as he is, his over all play on both sides of the ball was a joy to behold.  Still at only 21 (though some have questioned the validity of that fact), his young career is sure to sky rocket from here.