Toby White assesses the top 10 highest performing young players around the world
Image: Megan Crombie
- Nico O’Reilly, LB/DM
Club/country: Manchester City / England
Age: 20
Estimated transfer value: €40m
Nico is one of the best young players in the Premier League right now. He is establishing himself as a starter in a midfield that includes players like Foden, Silva, and Reijnders. He has started over 75% of City’s games this year, winning 86% of games he plays in compared to 47% without Nico on the pitch.
So, what makes Nico so good? He is 6ft 4in which makes him hard to beat in the air and valuable in both boxes. He is also in the top 10 quickest players in the league which Guardiola praised with his ‘incredible’ pace. This makes him a vital player when City play a high line as he can stop players running in behind. He has predominantly played at left back; however, he has played some matches as a defensive midfielder, most recently against Newcastle in the Carabao cup where he did not look out of place against the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Tonali.
- Dean Huijsen, CB
Club/country: Real Madrid/Netherlands
Age: 19
Estimated transfer value: €70m
Dean Huijsen is becoming one of the leading centre backs in Europe right now, although his defensive skills are excellent, but his passing range is what makes him a perfect fit for Real Madrid.
You would think Dean’s slim build would render him weak or allow him to be dominated by opposing strikers, but his massive height advantage (6ft 5in) allows him to win real battles. He is not afraid to commit to the midfield and his tactical understanding allows him to time this well, although he can struggle to recover. On the ball he is technically excellent with 739 passes completed so far this season. But he can struggle to penetrate low blocks which he is now facing more at Real Madrid rather than Bournemouth. Dean needs to develop some key skills, and he could be one of the best centre backs in the world.
- Nico Paz, AM
Club/country: Como/Argentina
Age: 21
Estimated transfer value: €65m
Nico Paz is a breakthrough prospect signed from Real Madrid in 2024 by Como for 10 million; his market value has increased 6.5 times since then.
Nico is an intelligent ball carrier who uses his body to retain possession in tighter spaces, his quick feet and reactions allowing him to isolate defenders and almost always beat them one on one with a 58% dribble success rate, similar to the likes of Doku. Despite his tall frame (6ft 1in) Nico is very silky and agile. He has a good eye for a pass, racking up 6 assists this season. Nico Paz has an outstanding left foot; half of six his goals have come from outside the box this year. Last year in the Serie A he achieved 14 goal contributions and this season he already has 12 in 15 less games. He is already one of the best in Europe right now; there is no ceiling for Nico Paz.
- Arda Güler, AM
Club/country: Real Madrid/Turkey
Age: 20
Estimated transfer value: €90m
Arda Güler is one of the most capable young players worldwide. The Turkish wonderkid has been playing first team football since he was 16 at Fenerbahçe up until now at Real Madrid 5 years later. In the Euros Arda was Turkey’s stand out player with 3 goals and assists in 5 games, taking them out of the group stage.
Arda is in the 90th+ percentile for all passing stats in LaLiga this season. His vision allows him to create chances at a high rate; he can find one in any situation and he has high ball retention for a player in his position. Perhaps my favourite thing about Arda is his shooting ability; he’s one of those players who can put the ball so far in the top corner no number of keepers would be able to save it. He has done this on every stage: both the domestic league and cups, the Champions League and, if you have not seen his goal at the euros, look it up right now! He was 18 when he scored that. He just has such control of the ball he can do what he wants with ease.
- Désiré Doué, RW
Club/country: PSG/France
Age: 20
Estimated transfer value: €90m
Désiré Doué is a French winger bought by PSG from Rennes for 50 million euros. He played for PSG in the Champions League last season at 19 years of age where he had two goals and an assist in the final with a record breaking 9.4 rating. This perhaps could be the biggest achievement by a young player ever.
His greatest ability is to beat his man and his extreme creative and flair. He is also frequently involved in goal creation through incisive passing, movement, and direct attacking play.
- Lennart Karl, AM
Club/country: Bayern Munich/Germany
Age: 18
Estimated transfer value: €60m
Lennart Karl is a recently turned 18-year-old who is a competitive starter for one of the top teams in the whole world. He is now established in the Bayern Munich team who are arguably the favourite for every competition this year.
He is an expert ball carrier who can accelerate at high speeds with and without the ball. Lennart’s quick feet are one of his best attributes, always able to beat his man in tight situations. He’s one of those young players who has already developed his end product as he has 6 G/A in 11 starts for Bayern who are right to carefully manage their young stars. He hasn’t played as many minutes as his teammates even though his ability could be seen as superior.
Lennart is one for the future as well as the current day, his raw ability combined with his age is what puts him at number 5.
- Estêvão, RW
Club/country: Chelsea/Brazil
Age: 18
Estimated transfer value: €80m
Estêvão is the Premier League’s “Starboy” right now, possibly the best young player in the competition. His minutes have been lacking down to his previous manager and a few minor injuries, but Chelsea are so much better when he is on the pitch.
His goal against Barcelona sums him up perfectly: he is an explosive dribbler with a determination and constant battle to keep the ball. But it’s not only his dribbling that’s explosive, his right foot can strike the ball with real power. However, at times he has really smart finishing, always finding the corner. His output this season is only a preview of what is to come from Estêvão.
- Pau Cubarsí, CB
Club/country: Barcelona/Spain
Age: 19
Estimated transfer value: €80m
Pau Cubarsí is 6-foot centre back who is the main man in a league-winning Barcelona backline at the age of 19. As his manager Hansi Flick said: “It’s incredible how Cubarsi defends. He plays as a centre-back and remains completely focused; he is physically very strong and has great potential to develop into a big star.”
With an impressive 1900 minutes, he has played the most so far this season of any u21 player and for one of the best teams in the world. Pau has already won everything in Spain at club level and an Olympic gold for the Spanish national team. He has the ability to be one of the centre back greats and a Barcelona legend.
- João Neves, CM
Club/country: PSG/Portugal
Age: 21
Estimated transfer value: €110m
Joao Neves is a 21-year-old football player who plays as a central midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain in a modern deep lying playmaker role. He has won very French and Portuguese domestic competition, not to mention the Champions League, already at the age of 21. Joao is one of the best players in the world, technique wise, and despite his small frame he is a superb tackler, he consistently succeeds in breaking lines with accurate passing.
He is excellent in tight spaces and under pressure with composure being one of his most valuable attributes which is even more impressive despite his age. He is clearly one of the best in the world and there’s only more to come.
- Lamine Yamal, RW
Club/country: Barcelona/spain
Age: 18
Estimated transfer value: €200m
Lamine Yamal is a Spanish Barcelona winger, widely regarded as the best young talent in the world: at the age of 18 he has broken many records many times. A mix of close control, unbelievable dribbling, explosive speed, technical ability and the best finesse shot in world football, all of this adds up to a world-renowned talent who has Messi potential.
With 23 G/A in 22 games, Lamine Yamal needs no explanation. If you’ve ever seen him, he passes the eye test more than any player and backs this up with countless stats in his favour. It’s not even ridiculous to say he’s the best player in the whole world at 18.
All these players have a bright future and with football ever developing there’s only more of these players to come.
