Six of the best: The top teenagers in world football right now
As we prepare for a return to domestic action following the latest international break, WhoScored.com reveal the list of the top teenagers in world football at the start of the current campaign. With all six hoping to pick up where they left off a fortnight ago, all eyes will be on their development in the coming weeks and months, not least those of Pep Guardiola and Manchester City fans - who have two frighteningly good forwards out on loan at present...
Gabriel Jesus - WhoScored.com rating 7.63
Make no mistake, in Gabriel Jesus City have secured the services of a player that will be among the world’s finest before too long. Already now a regular fixture for the Brazil national side at 19, the forward has emerged to take some of the pressure off of poster boy Neymar for a team that has relied on the Barcelona star's brilliance for some time.
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Click for full stats on Gabriel Jesus
Still with Palmeiras for the time being, the teenager is the highest rated player in Brasileirao, scoring 11 goals and registering four assists in 20 appearances. He simply has everything it takes to reach the very top level, blessed with searing pace and skill as well as an ability to win duels with defenders both in the air and on the ground despite his slight frame. Jesus is already used to rough treatment too - fouled 3.6 times per game - which is perhaps the best indication that opponents realise just how good this kid is!
Enes Unal - WhoScored.com rating 7.61
Whilst a very different style of forward to Jesus, the Citizens possess yet another striker capable of scoring sensational goals in Enes Unal, out on loan in the Eredivisie. The Turkish forward is tall, good in the air but as he showed in his first league start for Twente this season, can finish from range to boot. You’ll struggle to find a better hat-trick than the 19-year old’s at Groningen that day, and he has added another three, including an outstanding free-kick against ADO Den Haag since.
.jpg "Six of the best: The top teenagers in world football right now")
Click for full stats on Enes Unal
A tally of six goals is enough to share the lead in the Eredivisie - reaching that tally from considerably fewer shots than Feyenoord’s Nicolai Jorgensen - while an assist and 1.3 dribbles per game help Unal to rank just outside the top 10 in Holland’s top-flight. Having made his first senior international start last week against Ukraine, the former Bursaspor front man - along with Emre Mor - offers hope for a brighter future for Turkey.
Santiago Ascacibar - WhoScored.com rating 7.39
Having ended the previous Primera Division season among the top rated players, teenager Ascacibar has begun in a similar vein this time around. The diminutive 19-year old loves doing the dirty work in midfield, not giving opponents a moment’s rest, nipping at their heels before inevitably regaining possession for his side. His stature and style in that regard have seen him earmarked as the next Javier Mascherano, and for good reason.
Click for full stats on Santiago Ascacibar
With good recovery pace and strength for a player of his size, when Ascacibar does win the ball - making 18 more tackles than any other player in the Primera last season (76) - he retains possession very comfortably. With statistical strengths of tackling, ball interception and passing, as far as defensive midfielders are concerned, Ascacibar has the tools to be among the very best. He’s unlikely to remain an Estudiantes player too much longer.
Benjamin Henrichs - WhoScored.com rating 7.37
Given their lack of options at full-back, particularly on the right since the international retirement of Philipp Lahm, the progress of Bayer Leverkusen teenager Henrichs is hugely encouraging for the German national side. Capable of playing on either side of the back four or on the wing, the 19-year old’s pace and trickery is allied with an ever improving understanding of defensive positioning.
Click for full stats on Benjamin Henrichs
Able to beat a man and deliver a telling ball into the box - see his assist for Joel Pohjanpalo’s second vs Hamburg - averaging 1.4 dribbles and 1.2 key passes per game, Henrich’s offers the attacking threat that is so important in a modern day full-back. However, he doesn’t shirk his defensive responsibilities either, with 2.6 interceptions per game ranking second for Bayer 04, while a massive 4.4 tackles per game is enough for the lead in the entire Bundesliga.
Ousmane Dembele - WhoScored.com rating 7.35
Elsewhere in Germany’s top-flight it hasn’t taken long for Ousmane Dembele to translate his superb form from Rennes to Borussia Dortmund. The 19-year old was a revelation in Ligue 1 last season and under the tutelage of Thomas Tuchel looks set to become one of Europe’s finest wingers, flourishing in Die Schwarzgelben’s fast paced, attacking style. The Frenchman’s form has restricted Andre Schurrle to a bit part role to now.
Click for full stats on Ousmane Dembele
In five league starts Dembele has scored one goal and registered two assists, while providing a further two in the Champions League thus far. Supremely confident with the ball at his feet, Dembele combines his exceptional speed and agility with an impressive final ball, be that a cross, cut-back or slide rule pass. An average of 3.8 dribbles per game is already a league high in Germany, and if last season was anything to go by he’s just getting started.
Allan Saint-Maximin - WhoScored.com rating 7.21
Already boasting the likes of Thomas Lemar and Bernardo Silva, Monaco are inundated with young attacking talent, and Allain Saint-Maximin is certainly proving his potential on loan at Bastia. Signed from Saint-Etienne in 2015, a loan spell with Hannover last season didn’t pan out how any of the parties involved would have hoped - starting just one league game for the relegated Bundesliga outfit - but now, back in France, the teenager is getting the game time he needs.
Click for full stats on Allan Saint-Maximin
The 19-year old has started all 8 Ligue 1 matches for Bastia thus far, and is incredibly unfortunate not to have added to an early goal of the season contender against Lorient. Indeed, his shooting from distance is superb, hitting the woodwork three times ahead of the international break - twice directly and all from outside the box. Moreover, the unmistakable Saint-Maximin has averaged the second most dribbles per game in France this season (3.4), and while he will need to improve his defensive work rate and team play the teenager’s development so far this season has been excellent.
Which teenagers do you rate the highest in world football right now? Let us know in the comments below
Will keep an eye out on these teenagers. Never heard of them but looking forward to learning more about them!
@TerryTibbs You have never heard of Dembele or Gabriel Jesus ? :-0
Some gems in here
top two are man city players..
@AbolQasim Top two are the SAME player !
G Jesus is going to become the best player, done it for Brazil already and can do it for city
Benjamin Henrichs characteristics are a bit ridiculous ! He is a technical extremely good player and was growing up as a playmaker. Just recently he was converted to a defender. Therefore " holding on to the ball " and " passing "are amongst Henrichs biggest strenghts not weaknesses ... !