The 2019/2020 was graced by the exploits of young players who are making their debut appearances on the big scene. Teams across Europe reinforced their various squads with U21s either from their academy or by signing.
This article will highlights the top 5 U21 players across Europe’s top 5 leagues with the exclusion of France. Going by their statistics and impact on their teams, here are the top five U21 players of the 2019/2020 football season.
5. RIQUI PUIG/TAKEFUSA KUBO
These two little youngsters were massive in the just concluded La Liga season.
Take Kubo’s loan move to Mallorca was a successful spell as the left footed Japanese playmaker became an important player for them. He started 23 out of the 35 matches played, scored 4 goals and assisted 4 goals. He will be playing for Real Madrid next season and a lot is expected of him
Riqui Puig is a La Masia graduate whose importance was highlighted towards the end of the season. Riqui started 5 out of 11 games and contributed to 2 goals with 2 assists. He has a rating of 6.93 by sofascore.
4. ANSUMANNE FATI/MASON GREENWOOD
Ansu Fati is another La masía product who has proved to be a very good player for Barcelona. After starting 11 out of the 24 matches he played in La Liga, he was able to contribute to 8 goals( 7G, 1A). He also put up a stunning performance against Internazionale in the Champions league netting the winning goal for his team. He is taunted to be the next big player for FC Barcelona although, there are doubts he will be able to withstand the pressure that comes with it.
Mason Greenwood is a graduate of Man United’s academy. He is popular for his good close control and powerful shots. He has been a stabilizing force for United’s attack this season and has cemented his place in the starting XI. He has scored 9 goals and assisted a goal in 29 games this season (10 starts). He is taunted to become the next Van Persie as he shares some similarities with the flying Dutchman.
3. ALPHONSO DAVIES
The Canadian left back is one of the best rated Left backs in Europe currently. His explosive, high press style of football has caught the eye of football fans around the world. He has without doubt, cemented his place in the Bayern XI. He contributed to 8 goals ( 3G, 5A) with a 7.23 rating after 29 games in the bundesliga. He also has a 7.63 rating and 2 assists in 4 UCL games. Attacking and high press isn’t the only good thing about him, he averages 2.4 tackles every bundesliga Game and is part of the defence that has kept 10 clean sheets. He is a special boy.
2. KAI HAVERTS
Haverts is the most promising U21 midfielder in the world. His sensational 19/20 season has highlighted his massive talent and is a target for big clubs across Europe. He is a versatile player who can play as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, right winger and also as a striker. Incredible strength for a man that just turned 21 in June. He was involved in 18 goals in 30 matches, scoring 12 and assisting 8. He scores a goal every 205mins. That is an incredible stat for an U21 midfielder. We might get to see him in the Premier League next season as there are reports linking the German to Chelsea.
ERLING BRAUT HAALAND
The number one spot is for none other than Erling Braut Haaland, the Norwegian scoring machine. His 19/20 season has been breathtaking and phenomenal. He played for 2 clubs in the just concluded season. He was involved in 20 goals in 14 games in the Bundesliga for Salzburg, scoring 16 and assisting 4. He averaged 3 shots per game for Salzburg. He joined Dortmund in January, played 15 bundesliga games, scored 13 goals and assisted 2 goals. He has 10 champions league goals to his name, only Robert Lewandowski has more. In total he has scored 41 goals in 31 games for RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund. These statistics are not normal for a 20 year old. Hopefully, he will show consistency in the coming seasons.
