Fati and Felix shine in star-studded U21 European Team of the Week
Having looked at the top performers across Europe's top five leagues over the weekend's action, it's time to delve a little deeper and unearth the youngsters that performed best.
There are some household names and those you may not have heard of but will want to track over the course of the campaign.
Players aged 21 and under at the start of the season are eligible for our best rated XI. Let's dive straight in to it...
Goalkeeper: Illan Meslier (Leeds) - 7.55 rating
Leeds United secured a 1-0 win away to Sheffield United on Sunday and have 20-year-old goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who barely looks 12, to thank. Meslier pulled off a series of stunning saves, four in total, to ensure Leeds not only won the game but kept their first Premier League clean sheet in almost 17 years.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 7.38 rating
After a fairly mixed start to the season but his high standards, Trent Alexander-Arnold hit top form in Liverpool's 3-1 win over Arsenal on Monday night. His delivery into the box was consistently outstanding and eventually telling, as his cross fell to an unmarked Andrew Robertson to put Liverpool 2-1 up before half-time. The 21-year-old registered three key passes in total and even saw an effort deflected onto the woodwork.
Centre-back: Nico Schlotterbeck (Union Berlin) - 7.36 rating
Nico Schlotterbeck has made a fine start to the season from centre-back following up his strike in the cup with the equalising goal in Union Berlin's 1-1 draw at Gladbach at the weekend. The 20-year-old also made three tackle and interceptions combined and will hope his performance will enable him a run in the side.
Centre-back: Sven Botman (Lille) - 7.36 rating
After losing Gabriel to Arsenal over the summer, Lille turned to another young centre-back in Sven Botman from Dutch side Heerenveen and the 20-year-old has made a solid start to the season, starting every league game thus far. The youngster turned in another solid display in their 2-0 home win over Nantes at the weekend, completing 90% of his attempted passes and winning four aerial duels.
Left-back: Rayan Ait Nouri (Angers) - 7.67 rating
Angers picked up their third win in five matches with a 3-2 win at home to Brest, with Rayan Ait Nouri catching the eye from left-back. On his first league start of the season, the 19-year-old registered an assist, made five tackles and interceptions combined and completed two dribbles. The teenager also completed 88.1% of his attempted passes before coming off with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Right wing: Silas Wamangituka (Stuttgart) - 8.80 rating
Stuttgart romped to an impressive 4-1 away win over Mainz at the weekend, with Silas Wamangituka the star of the show. The 20-year-old winger scored and assisted in the victory, taking the WhoScored Man of the Match award in the process. The Stuttgart youngster has started the season with goals in back-to-back games.
Central midfield: Declan Rice (West Ham) - 8.37 rating
West Ham are bracing themselves for interest in Declan Rice from rivals Chelsea and are desperate to keep hold of the England midfielder heading into the final week of the transfer window. Rice excelled in West Ham's shock 4-0 win over Wolves on Sunday, managing seven tackles and interceptions combined. Moreover, Rice set a new personal record for most dribbles completed in a single Premier League game in his career (5).
Central midfield: Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes) - 8.11 rating
Rennes are flying at the top of the table in France after four wins on the bounce and rising midfielder Eduardo Camavinga continues to flourish. The France international completed 95.9% of his attempted passes in their 3-0 away win over Saint-Etienne last time out and managed eight tackles and interceptions combined. Moreover, the 17-year-old completed three dribbles in his latest all-action display.
Left wing: Ansu Fati (Barcelona) - 9.68 rating
Barcelona really need to nail down Ansu Fati's long-term future as the 17-year-old is clearly already a very special player. Fati even upstagged Lionel Messi in Barcelona's first league game of the season by scoring twice in a 4-0 win over Villarreal. In addition to his brace, Fati registered two key passes and completed three dribbles.
Striker: Victor Osimhen (Napoli) - 8.33 rating
Victor Osimhen made his full league debut for Napoli at the weekend and the ex-Lille striker ran Genoa's defence into the ground. The 21-year-old couldn't cap off his performance with a goal from his five attempts but he did at least register an assis. Moreover, the Napoli ace also won three aerial duels.
Striker: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid) - 9.39 rating
After a tough maiden campaign with Atletico Madrid, Joao Felix will hope to really kick on this season and he certainly got off to a good start at the weekend with one of his best ever displays for the club. Felix thrashed Granada 6-1 with Felix taking the WhoScored Man of the Match award in the process. The 20-year-old had three attempts and created as many key passes in total, while also completing four dribbles and drawing three fouls.
