Chelsea starlet Hudson-Odoi makes best rated U21 XI in Europe
Here we run through the best WhoScored XI from the weekend's action in Europe's top five leagues of players aged 21 and under.
Goalkeeper: Lucas Lionel Dias (Nimes) - 7.83 rating
With usual first choice goalkeeper Paul Bernandoni unavailable for Nimes, the French side called on Lucas Lionel Dias for his full league debut. The 20-year-old turned in an eye-catching performance in their 1-1 draw at home to Amiens on Saturday and had to be alert from the first whistle. Dias completed a last-man tackle in the sixth minute and made four saves in total to ensure a share of the points for his side.
Right-back: Sofiane Alakouch (Nimes) - 6.93 rating
Sofiane Alakouch is the lowest WhoScored rated player to make the best rated under-21 XI. This past weekend was not a great one for young right-backs on the continent, though Alakouch's rating is not poor by any stretch. Only one Nimes player registered more key passes than the 21-year-old (2) in their draw with Amiens, even though Alakouch only spent 50 minutes on the pitch. Nimes didn't concede when he was on and Alakouch made three interceptions and three clearances.
Centre-back: Boubacar Kamara (Marseille) - 8.40 rating
Marseille ended a four-match winless streak with a 2-0 win at home to Strasbourg on Sunday, with 19-year-old centre-back Boubacar Kamara claiming the WhoScored Man of the Match award. Kamara netted his first goal of the season in the third minute and it really set the tone for his performance. The teenager won five tackles and interceptions combined, as well as making three clearances to help Marseille keep their fourth clean sheet of the season.
Centre-back: Sebastiaan Bornauw (FC Koeln) - 8.74 rating
Bundesliga side FC Koeln also put an end to a four-match run without a victory at the weekend after recording a comfortable 3-0 win over Paderborn on Sunday. It marked only Koeln's second league win of the season and it was by far their best display of the campaign. 20-year-old centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw scored Koeln's third of the game with five minutes of normal time remaining but excelled defensively prior to that. Bornauw made seven tackles and interceptions combined and four clearances to help Koeln kept their first clean sheet of the campaign.
Left-back: Faitout Maouassa (Rennes) - 8.13 rating
Rennes fell to a 3-2 defeat to Monaco and will be kicking themselves after seing a 2-1 lead slip and conceding in the 92nd minute to leave with no points for their efforts. Faitout Maouassa got Rennes back on level terms in the 12th-minute with his first goal of the season. The 21-year-old also turned in seven tackles and interceptions combined, completed two dribbles and two key passes.
Right wing: Dejan Kulusevski (Parma) - 9.53 rating
Andreas Cornelius understandably stole the headlines with his hat-trick from the bench in Parma's 5-1 win over Genoa but 19-year-old winger Dejan Kulusevski was equally as impressive for the Italian outift. Kulusevski played a direct hand in three of the goals, scoring once and registering two assists. The Sweden under-21 interantional hit the target with two of his three attempts, registered four key passes and completed three dribbles in a highly impressive display.
Central midfield: Zaydou Youssouf (Saint-Etienne) - 7.25 rating
Saint-Etienne are one of the form sides in Ligue 1 at the moment after recording their third victory in a row. The French outfit recorded a 1-0 win away to Bordeaux and midfielder Zaydou Youssouf turned in a steady display in the middle of the park. The 20-year-old made four tackles and interceptions combined and completed three dribbles.
Central midfield: Houssem Aouar (Lyon) - 7.96 rating
Lyon were denied their first league win since August at the weekend after coming up against an inspired Dijon goalkeeper. Alfred Gomis made 10 saves, a record in a Ligue 1 match this season, to frustrate new Lyon manager Rudi Garcia to a 0-0 draw in his first game in charge. Houssem Aouar looked back to his old self in the match but couldn't quite find the breakthrough. The 21-year-old had two shots, registered two key passes and completed four dribbles. He was also fouled on four occasions and made four tackles and interceptions combined.
Left wing: Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea) - 7.93 rating
The concern with Callum Hudson-Odoi was whether he would be able to return the same player after a bad Achilles injury but the Chelsea starlet has made a thoroughly impressive return to full fitness. The England international set up the match winner in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday and has now played a direct part in a goal in all five of his appearances this season. He made five key passes in total against Newcastle and also completed three dribbles.
Striker: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) - 7.76 rating
Marcus Rashford returned from international duty with a spring in his step and that showed for Manchester United in their 1-1 draw with Liverpool. Rashford scored his first league goal from open play since the opening weekend to help United end Liverpool's 100 per cent start to the season. Rashford completed four dribbles against Liverpool, a personal record in a Premier League game this season.
Striker: Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - 8.02 rating
Kylian Mbappe is still being eased back into the swing of things by Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel but that didn't stop the France international from making a huge impact in their 4-1 win away to Nice on Friday. Mbappe was given a seven-minute run out but still managed to score once and assist another goal.
