As always, we’ve stuck with the format that served Don Balon so successfully for decades; 100 names and details of where each player is from.  We’ll revisit the list next December to assess how 2018 has panned out for each of the players concerned.

The process we use for selection remains exactly the same: We identify players born on or after 1/1/1996 and talk to scouts, coaches, players, journalists, fans and bloggers from around the world to get a clear a picture of exactly who we should be watching and why. This information forms our long list.

Across the year we monitor each player on our long list and consider what the future is likely to hold for them - i.e. will they play regularly? is a move imminent? Eventually our long list refines to become the #IBWM100 – nothing definitive, just the players we believe will truly soar over the next twelve months.

We don't expect you to agree with all our choices, but we love to be involved in the debate. Leave your comments below the line or hit us up via Twitter using the #IBWM100 tag. As a small independent website we cannot function without your support, so please share the list far and wide. Over to you.