12.
” Everyone loves a wonderkid. You just can’t beat the thrill of watching an academy starlet burst onto the scene and show the world their talents. Jadon Sancho left England in 2017 because he felt his pathway to first-team football at Manchester City was crowded and he’s been vindicated as he stars for Borussia Dortmund in the No.7 shirt aged just 18.
7 Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kai Havertz, and Jadon Sancho are just three wonderkids impressing this season. He’s just one of the talented starlets currently thrilling in Europe, but who are the others making waves across the continent? talkSPORT’s taken a look at the statistics and we’ll certainly be keeping a keen eye on the performances of this lot.
Scroll down to find out the top 15 players under 21-years-old in Europe’s top five leagues, according to WhoScored.com… 15. Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen) – WhoScored rating – 6.89 After two impressive seasons, Havertz is now attempting to step up once more, still aged just 19. He’s not doing too badly either. He has seen a slight regression in some areas but is now a far more accurate passer this season as Leverkusen struggle at the wrong end of the Bundesliga table. 14.
Oscar Rodriguez (Leganes) – WhoScored rating – 6.89 On loan from Real Madrid, the midfielder is forcing his way into the first-team at Leganes as they attempt to avoid relegation.1xbet italia He’s played off the left and also in a central role and is already averaging 1.6 key passes per game and 2.2 shots, which is pretty good going given his limited time on the pitch. A goal against Barcelona in a 2-1 win will go a long way to appeasing his parent club too.
7 Rodriguez scored in Leganes’ 2-1 win over Barcelona. 13. Pedro Porro (Girona) – WhoScored rating – 6.90 In his first campaign for the club, Porro is certainly making an impact as he converts from winger to full-back. According to reports in Spain, he turned down offers from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich when he joined the club from Rayo Vallecano.
Upon his ascent to the first-team this season, Eusebio Sacristan described him as ‘a bold and cheeky guy’ and if his development continues it will have been an incredible coup for Girona. 12. Houssem Aouar (Lyon) – WhoScored rating – 6.91 One of the jewels in the French side’s young and talented team, Aouar is drifting to the left side as he continues to prove himself a versatile member of Bruno Genesio’s first XI.
He’s played in the middle of a two-man midfield, on the left of a three, and as a left winger so far and will continue to impress in each position with his deft dribbling and fine eye for a pass, both long and short. 7 Aouar celebrates scoring in Ligue 1 this season. 11.
Jean-Clair Todibo (Toulouse) – WhoScored rating – 6.97 Even though the French centre-back has had two big set-backs in the shape of an early red card against Guingamp and a harsh penalty against Rennes, Todibo is still having a good season. Toulouse avoided relegation last season by winning a play-off match and now find themselves in the top half of the table. Much of that is down to the partnership he is building with Christopher Jullien in an attacking side under Alain Casanova. 10.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) – WhoScored rating – 7.02 The young right-back has now established himself as Liverpool’s first-choice in the position and is a regular in Gareth Southgate’s England squads. He still has occasional lapses defensively but is continuing to develop into an elite player at just 20-years-old.
9. Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) – WhoScored rating – 7.05 Now being affectionately labelled the ‘Assist King’ thanks to his creative performances from the bench for the German giants. It’s now not only his exceptional dribbling but also it’s his incisive passing doing the damage and has earned himself an international call-up with England. 7 Sancho in now a full England international.
8. Ibrahima Sissoko (Strasbourg) – WhoScored rating – 7.13 Signed from Brest in the summer, Sissoko has taken to Strasbourg like a duck to water. The central midfielder may be a big presence in midfield but don’t ignore the technical element of his game which allows him to progress with the ball, find team-mates and execute smart passes.
A delicate flicked finish from a corner against Bordeaux while holding off a defender proves he’s got the perfect blend of physical and technical ability. 7. Christian Kouame (Genoa) – WhoScored rating – 7.18 You may well have heard of Krzysztof Piatek this season and now it’s time to acquaint yourself with his strike partner. When you’re watching the Polish star score you’ll see Kouame alongside him making space with his intelligent movement or giving him the ball.
His two assists against Frosinone show he can be a target man and knock the ball down or drift wide and deliver crosses/passes to the goal hungry Piatek. After doing well with Cittadella in Serie B last-term, Kouame is now at proving he can step up in one of the big five leagues too.https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_City_F.C.
6. Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina) – WhoScored rating – 7.27 Able to play on both wings, the pacy dribbler is thrilling for La Viola and he’s happy to do his defensive duties too, so it’s no wonder he’s already a regular at international level. There is already talk of a ?50million transfer for Chiesa but that may undervalue him given his potential. 7 Chiesa is the son of Italy hero Enrico.
5. Nordi Mukiele (RB Leipzig) – WhoScored rating – 7.31 After some truly excellent matches for Montpellier last season, Mukiele has now taken his mature performances to the Bundesliga. He’s dealing with the transition pretty well considering he’s just 20 and handling comparisons to Lilian Thuram too. A poor showing against Red Bull Salzburg after using a mobile phone pre-game resulted in disciplinary action from Ralf Rangnick but hopefully his lesson will have been learnt.
4. Javairo Dilrosun (Hertha Berlin) – WhoScored rating – 7.36 The Dutch starlet joined the German side after leaving Manchester City on a free transfer in the summer and is now thrilling with his skilful dribbling and excellent final ball. He’s managed two goals and three assists this season so far and could really break out, although he does seem a little one-footed. 7 The youngster is flourishing away from Manchester City.
3. Ibrahim Sangare (Toulouse) – WhoScored rating – 7.45 A gangly but efficient ball progresser, Sangare is excellent at moving the ball up the pitch. An array of ball manipulation and skills also see him weave out of tough situations before ending it all with smart and accurate passes.
2. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace) – WhoScored rating – 7.46 One of the gems of the campaign so far, Wan-Bissaka has got the Selhurst Park crowd firmly onside with his marauding displays from full-back. He could be better with his passing, but it’s his dribbling and defensive work which put him on the map right now. 1. Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) – WhoScored rating – 8.37 You’ve probably heard of this guy and if you haven’t, where have you been?
The World Cup winner, still only 19, continues to thrill for PSG and is in frightfully good form, scoring eight goals and getting three assists in just four starts and one substitute appearance. Meanwhile he also has two goals and one assist in the Champions League. 7 Mbappe is a truly incredible talent. ” ” Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino was happy to stop the rot as his side secured a 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Saturday.
Harry Kane’s 74th-minute penalty cancelled out Aaron Ramsey’s early opener. 2 Mauricio Pochettino thought his side were the better team against Arsenal Tottenham would have been on the verge of a third successive Premier League defeat if Hugo Lloris had not saved Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s injury-time penalty. Pochettino conceded Spurs’ title hopes were “nearly impossible” after back-to-back losses to Burnley and Chelsea.
But the Argentine, who insisted his side were the better team against Arsenal, is pleased to be able to travel to Borussia Dortmund for the second leg of Spurs’ Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday on the back of a positive result. 2 Tottenham are strong favourites to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals as they lead 3-0 heading into the second leg “I think it was a fantastic game, such an exciting game, a great atmosphere with two teams who wanted to play and win the game,” Pochettino said. “It’s always tough to play against Arsenal.
It was tough because to concede after 15 minutes was tough for us. LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS gossip Man United news live: Dutch ace wanted as new right-back, West Ham star on radar gossip Liverpool news live: Salah ‘rejects ?150million exit’, Ajax set Ziyech price latest Man United target Dutch defender, Spurs to sell Rose and sign Sessegnon review Women’s World Cup: Netherlands breeze past Cameroon, Canada beat hapless New Zealand gesture Amazing reason Marta pointed to her boots after scoring opener for Brazil royal return AC Milan appoint club legends Boban and Maldini in new roles at the club ‘i was fed up’ The reason why Chelsea midfielder Jorginho nearly quit football latest Arsenal transfer news live: Top target ‘not for sale’, Ziyech to cost just ?30m GOING NOWHERE Bournemouth send firm response to Arsenal over Ryan Fraser interest London bound? Arsenal target Dennis Praet agent confirms interest in player “But of course I am so happy with the character, the personality and the way that in the end we played. “It wasn’t a great performance, but it was very good to draw and then maybe deserve to win. “After two defeats it was important today to build again our positive ways. We have a very difficult game on Tuesday against Borussia Dortmund and arriving in a better condition than we arrived today is going to be key.” “