Here we run through the best WhoScored rated XI made up of players aged 21 and under from Europe’s top five leagues, with additional Football INDEX share price information on selected players.
Goalkeeper: Emil Audero (Sampdoria) – 6.62 rating
Sampdoria are now unbeaten in four league matches after beating Parma 2-0 at home. Marco Giampaolo’s side are now into the top half of the table, helped by Emil Audero keeping his first clean sheet since October.
Left-back: Felix Uduokhai (Wolfsburg) – 7. 95 rating
Wolfsburg also extended their unbeaten run to four matches in the league after securing a 2-0 win away to Nuernberg. Felix Uduokhai was a standout performer for Wolfsburg on what was just his second league start of the campaign. The 21-year-old made nine tackles against Nuernberg, one shy of the record in a Bundesliga match this season. Uduokhai also made three interceptions and won four fouls.
Centre-back: Stefan Posch (Hoffenheim) – 7.52 rating
Stefan Posch has endured his injury problems this season but turned in his best performance of the season in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Gladbach. Starting at the heart of Hoffenheim’s back three, Posch completed 96.4% of his passes and also completed six tackles and interceptions combined. The 21-year-old also managed one shot and registered one key pass.
Centre-back: Cristian Romero (Genoa) – 7.32 rating
Cristian Romero has secured a place in the best rated XI for the second week as a reward for his performance in Genoa’s hard-fought 3-2 defeat away to Roma on Sunday. Romero won six tackles and interceptions combined and made five clearances. The Argentine defender also blocked two of Roma’s shots. Romero had only completed one dribble in seven league games prior to Sunday’s match before managing two against Roma.
Right-back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace) – 7.53 rating
Aside from Zaha’s brilliance, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been a revelation for Crystal Palace since breaking into the team midway through last season. The 21-year-old completed eight tackles and interceptions combined against Leicester in another thoroughly impressive defensive display. It is surely only a matter of time before one of the big Premier League clubs come calling for the youngster and for that reason it’s worth monitoring Wan-Bissaka on Football INDEX. His current share price is £2.16.
Central midfield: Domingos Quina (Watford) – 7.97 rating
West Ham supporters feared the club made a huge mistake not securing Domingos Quina’s future in the summer and the 19-year-old’s performance for Watford against Cardiff only heightens that. Quina scored his first Premier League goal of his career on just his third appearance. The Portugal Under-20 international also completed four dribbles against Cardiff. Given the hype around Quina, he is another that should be considered on Football INDEX. The teenager’s share price is currently £1.66.
Central midfield: Igor Zubeldia (Real Sociedad) – 7.97 rating
Real Sociedad slipped to a 1-0 defeat away to Getafe at the weekend but 21-year-old defensive midfielder Igor Zubeldia caught the eye for the losers. Zubeldia won the WhoScored Man of the Match award after winning seven aerial duels and completing three tackles and interceptions combined. The Spanish midfielder also completed 38.9% of his dribbles in the league this season against Getafe (7/18).
Central midfield: Houssem Aouar (Lyon) – 8.41 rating
Houssem Aouar has been one of the most impressive players in Ligue 1 this season and looks set to be the next big money export from Lyon over the next few transfer windows. The 20-year-old scored his sixth league goal of the campaign in Lyon’s 3-0 win over Monaco, matching his total from last season in 15 fewer matches. Aouar’s Football INDEX share price has increased £0.51 in the last month and he should definitely be considered for your portfolios.
Forward: Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona) – 8.18 rating
Barcelona ran riot away to Levante on Sunday and Ousmane Dembele was impressive once more. The 21-year-old was tasked with playing as a right wing-back against Levante, which is perhaps why he failed to manage a single shot on target. Nevertheless, Dembele still completed seven dribbles and even managed three tackles and one interception.
Forward: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) – 8.58 rating
Gabriel Jesus ended a four-month goalscoring drought in the Premier League with a brace in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Everton on Saturday. The Brazil international showed great movement and was finally rewarded with two well-taken goals. The 21-year-old scored from both of his attempts on goal, completed one dribble and made one tackle.
Forward: Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina) – 8.32 rating
It’s been a disappointing season for Federico Chiesa and Fiorentina will hope their starlet has turned a corner after his WhoScored Man of the Match display against Empoli at the weekend. Chiesa had eight shots, registered two key passes and completed six tackles. Not only that, but the 21-year-old won three tackles and interceptions combined. The Italy international also finished the match with his best pass success rate in a Serie A game this season (87.9%).
