VIKTOR FISCHER

Who is he? Where does he play?

He's Ajax's talented Danish youngster who is not Christian Eriksen. At 18, is 3 years younger than his fellow countryman but the similarities are clear. He can play as a centre-forward, or in his more natural role on the left side of a three-pronged attack. Like all good graduates from the famed academy in Amsterdam, Fischer is blessed with the basics of close control and astounding balance.

Ajax definitely like their Danes don't they?

They certainly do. After Frank Arnesen, Soren Lerby, Michael Laudrup and Jesper Gronkjaer have passed through history, Fischer has joined Eriksen and Nicolai Boilesen at the Amsterdam ArenA has Ajax's future looks eternally bright. The ex-Midtjylland teenager is tipped to be one of the most promising talents however, with his pace, technical ability and vision making him an awesome attacking force at such a tender age. He can play as a number 10, but the Dutch club view him as better feeding off the work of a play-maker, hence his impressive tally of 10 goals from 21 games so far this season.

So he plays out on the left?

He does, playing alongside the wonderfully gifted Eriksen, he has helped Ajax go four points clear at the top of the EreDivisie with performances which showcase his superb ability. He has earned comparisons to Dennis Bergkamp after scoring this lovely chip. He can finish chances off well and create them with skill and poise, starting out on the left but popping up in various positions as manager Frank De Boer urges fluency and cohesion in his 4-3-3. He is a nightmare to mark given his fantastic balance and wizardry on the ball.

All this at 18?

Yep, it's frightening right? After coming from Midtjylland for a fee of 1.3 million euros in 2011, he helped Ajax reach the final of the Next-Gen series in 2011 before De Boer saw fit to promote him into the senior side, saying he reminded him of Barcelona's midfield magician Andres Iniesta. He has been slowly immersed into the side since then as Ajax remain cautious with his progression, though he has won the prestigious Ajax Talent of the Year award for this campaign. He can drift into space, dribble from deep and finish chances off with unerring composure, but remember, he's only 18! Just take a minute to marvel at that if you will.

We'll see the name much more often then?

We almost definitely will. Ajax's business model will probably dictate his sale but given his burgeoning career in Amsterdam, he will be in no rush to move on. It is indicative of his growing reputation on the continent that Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and AC Milan have all been linked with the 18 year old.

With 2 caps for the Denmark national team and at a club that will afford him first team chances to aid his progression, it is hard to see why Fischer would leave in a World Cup year. But he surely will be a huge talent to keep an eye out for.

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN

Who is he? Where does he play?

He is the 21 year old quick-footed attacking midfielder who, after emerging at Odense in Denmark, went to Ajax to receive the latter years of his football education and it shows. Two footed and skillful, it looks emphatically like the Ajax print of footballing genius is marked on him somewhere, perhaps on his lower back or his shoulder.

I think we've heard of him before

You may have done, he's been in the Ajax first team since breaking through as an 18 year old back in 2010 and has already represented Denmark at the World Cup of 2010 (where he was the youngest player at the tournament) and Euro 2012. In a friendly match with England in 2011, Eriksen proved his quality with a man of the match performance in which he hit the crossbar and left Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand salivating over his talent.

High praise indeed... so what can he do?

He is in the same mould of Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere in the way he can sit comfortably in central-midfield and burst forward to create in attack. The Dane is brilliant at turning away from his markers with his slight 5ft 9 inch frame offering an impressive level of balance, and he can easily thread a pass through the eye of a needle to make chances for others. In this year's Champions League he tallied 4 assists in 6 games.

Can score too?

He can. 10 goals this season has bought his total tally up to 27 but with a grand total of 48 assists so far in his short career, it is clear where his prowess lies. He has the tricks, the poise, the direction to beat defenders in order to offer a big threat in the final third. His recent goal against Waalwijk, in which he cut in from the left across two men before shooting with his right foot, is indicative of what he can do. He can also play centre-forward too, in that new-fangled "false-nine" position tactics-enthusiasts all seem to love.

Ajax have financial problems don't they, will he have to leave?

You are correct again, well done! Yes they do, and Eriksen has already sent the transfer rumour mill crazy by stalling on a new contract.  It does look like a move beckons for the young Dane in the summer as clubs including Spurs, who reportedly made a move for him last August, queue up over themselves to pluck the player who has drawn comparisons to previous Danish genius Michael Laudrup.

Liverpool?

Yep, well he's technically gifted, young, able to play in a variety of positions and can attack with devastating force, so Brendan Rodgers is inevitably being linked. Eriksen is contracted to 2014 at Ajax so he won't be available for free, but a club may be able to lure him away for a reduced price given the uncertainty over his contract.

RIECHEDLY BAZOER

Who is he? Where does he play?

A bit young, Bazoer is a 16 year old central defender currently at PSV Eindhoven, sparking an FBI-style manhunt across Europe for the prodigy's signature after voicing his desire to leave the Dutch club in the summer.

Oooh.. interesting... do go on...

He was offered a 3 year deal at the Phillips Stadion back in October, just as the defender turned 16, as the Dutch giants try desperately to hold on to one of the brightest prospects in Dutch football, but it looks like that is all in vain as Ajax have won the race to cast the net and land the prize catch of Bazoer, according to reports. 

Ajax? Hmm... 

It is Dutch legislation that 3 years is the most you can offer to a player under the age of 18, so it looks like the Eredivisie champions may have landed him on a similar deal. The Amsterdam ArenA is a kind of nurturing nursery for talented crop, so it will suit his exciting development, plus he will work with defensive guru Frank De Boer, a bonus for any defender learning the trade.

So what's the big fuss?

Bazoer has already played 8 times for the Dutch under 17 team as he steps foot on the ladder of international recognition, he is quick and strong, displaying an intelligent reading of the game for his youthful age. Perhaps the biggest compliment to his potential is that Newcastle, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal were involved in the chase for the kid, with Bazoer keen on a move to England. Eindhoven were desperate for him to remain in Holland where he would be ensured first team football.

Why did he want to leave Eindhoven?

Eindhoven have their own impressive honour roll of youth graduates and are thriving at the top of the Dutch league under Dick Advocaat, but with the club struggling to compete on a financial level with some of Europe's elite, Sporting Director Marcel Brands had to admit defeat in his attempt to hold onto the youngster. Brands gave him the choice between money and development and in the end, Bazoer chose Ajax. Keep an eye out for this promising 16 year old.

RICARDO VAN RHIJN

Who is he? Where does he play?

After Ajax lost Gregory Van Der Wiel to rich-boys in September, Frank De Boer may have been disappointed to lose his energetic right-back after he played such a vital role in his capture of the EreDivisie title last year. But no, De Boer was safe ratifying the sale as he had 21 year old Van Rhijn, a younger, similar version to Van Der Wiel ready to take the reigns at the Ajax right-back spot. 

Similar to VDW, take it he gets forward a lot?

A superb engine allows him to bomb up and down the right-flank for virtually the full 90 minutes, fitting in perfectly with De Boer's Barcelona-lite vision that relies on full-backs flying forward on the overlap to provide width. Not a bad crosser either, he caused havoc with dangerous balls from the right in recent Champions League meetings with Manchester City.

All very well, but can he defend?

Ajax have struggled in their defence of the Dutch championship this year, shipping 14 goals in eleven games as they sit in a mediocre fifth place, but Van Rhijn's reputation hasn't suffered with some solid performances both in the league and the Champions League. Winner of Ajax's talent of the year for 2011/2012, even Louis Van Gaal has noticed the rise of RDV, allowing him to displace his old mate VDW as first-choice right back for the Dutch national team.

Will he leave.. like VD...

Enough of the Van Der Wiel comparisons please, Van Rhijn is a separate entity (obviously) and having that spectre over him would not help his development which is already being picked up on by the "experts" (Gary Neville) and co. his excellent, roaming performances against City have helped and a bright future awaits under a manager that suits his game of right-sided traction engine perfectly.

Keep an eye out for Van Rhijn.....