Little-known Paris Saint-Germain starlet features in best rated U21 XI from Europe
We run through the best WhoScored rated U21 XI from Europe’s top five leagues across the weekend’s action.
Goalkeeper: Paul Bernardoni (Nimes) – 7.59 rating
Nimes fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Nice at the weekend but have goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni to thank for the fact the margin of defeat was only one goal. Nimes played the entire second have with nine men and Bernardoni finished the match with seven saves. He was eventually beaten by Youcef Atal but turned in another eye-catching display.
Left-back: Theo Hernandez (Real Sociedad) – 8.47 rating
Real Madrid may regret their decision to send the likes of Theo Hernandez and Achraf Hakimi on loan given their current injury crisis at the back. Hernandez scored his first league goal since May 2017 in Real Sociedad’s 3-1 win away to Levante at the weekend, earning the WhoScored Man of the Match award in the process. The 21-year-old had four shots in total, more than his previous six league appearances combined this season (3). He also completed four dribbles and won four fouls.
Centre-back: Juan Foyth (Tottenham) – 7.93 rating
After enduring a difficult Premier League debut against Wolves, Juan Foyth vindicated Mauricio Pochettino's faith with a match-winning performance in Tottenham’s 1-0 win away to Crystal Palace on Saturday. Foyth scored the only goal of the game, while also making three interceptions and five clearances to help Tottenham keep their third clean sheet in their last four away league matches.
Centre-back: Malang Sarr (Nice) – 7.77 rating
Nice came up against an inspired Paul Bernardoni in Nimes’ goal but eventually made the breakthrough courtesy of Malang Sarr’s assist. The highly rated 19-year-old was key at both ends of the pitch, also making five tackles and one interception to help Nice keep their third clean sheet in a row in the league.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) – 7.75 rating
Liverpool equalled a 38-year club-record for fewest goals conceded after 12 top-flight fixtures (5) by defeating Fulham 2-0 on Sunday. Jurgen Klopp’s side rode their luck and benefitted from a dubious piece of officiating before eventually running out winners. Trent Alexander-Arnold provided the through ball for Mohamed Salah to open the scoring immediately after Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goal was incorrectly ruled out. Alexander-Arnold had four shots against the Cottagers and completed four tackles and interceptions combined.
Left wing: Moussa Diaby (Paris Saint-Germain) – 8.68 rating
Moussa Diaby finished the weekend’s action as the highest rated U21 in Europe’s top five leagues after helping Paris Saint-Germain to a comfortable 4-0 win away to Ligue 1 strugglers Monaco. The 19-year-old provided two assists on just his third league start for the club, completed two dribbles and had three attempts on goal. The teenager will now hope for more playing time on PSG’s left flank.
Centre midfield: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) – 7.96 rating
Under difficult circumstances, Leicester were held 0-0 at home by Burnley on Saturday. The Foxes will feel unfortunate not to have come away with all three points and Wilfred Ndidi was particularly impressive for Claude Puel’s side. The Nigeria international remarkably won 10 aerial duels against the Clarets, while also completing five tackles and interceptions combined. Ndidi also had five efforts on goal and registered two key passes in an all-action display.
Centre midfield: Houssem Aouar (Lyon) – 8.14 rating
Lyon starlet Houssem Aouar holds down a place in the best-rated U21 XI for the second week in succession after playing a direct hand in two goals in a 4-2 triumph away to Guingamp. The 20-year-old has now scored or assisted in his last five appearances for the French giants. Against Guingamp, Aouar registered three key passes, had two shots, won two fouls and as many tackles.
Right wing: Brais Mendez (Celta Vigo) – 8.63 rating
21-year-old Brais Mendez has turned into a real star in Celta Vigo's current squad in recent weeks after turning in another eye-catching performance at the weekend. Celta lost 4-2 at home to Real Madrid but Mendez played a direct hand in both of their goals. The Spaniard has now scored or assisted in his last three appearances. Mendez had three shots against Madrid; registered two key passes and won three fouls. Impressively, the starlet also completed 86.2% of his passes and won four tackles.
Striker: Luka Jovic (Frankfurt) – 8.45 rating
Frankfurt striker Luka Jovic is now the top goalscorer in the Bundesliga this season (9) after netting twice in a 3-0 win over Schalke on Sunday. The 20-year-old has been a revelation in the Bundesliga this term, previously netting five times in a single game. Against Schalke, Jovic had seven shots for the second league game in succession.
Striker: Marcus Thuram (Guingamp) – 8.37 rating
Despite losing 4-2 to Lyon, Marcus Thuram did his reputation no harm after netting a brace against the Ligue 1 giants, significantly better than his last performance when he was sent off in seven minutes. The 21-year-old won four aerial duels and scored his two goals from three attempts. Thuram also weighed in with three key passes and as many tackles and interceptions combined.
