Arsenal star Saka among the best rated in U21 Team of the Month
Real Madrid hero Jude Bellingham stars once again in the under-21 team of the month from Europe’s top five leagues. Promising talents from Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, the Bundesliga and the Premier League are all included in September’s XI.
Stefano Turati (Frosinone) - 7.23
Italian goalkeeper Stefano Turati has solidified his spot as Frosinone’s number one this season, and picked up one clean sheet throughout September, as he helped his side remain unbeaten across the month. Turati’s standout display came in the 1-1 draw at Salernitana, where he made a total of five saves on his way to a WhoScored rating of 7.53.
Juanlu Sanchez (Sevilla) - 7.04
Having started the season out of the starting XI, Sevilla's Juanlu Sanchez looks to have cemented a spot under Jose Luis Mendilibar throughout September. The 20-year-old’s best performance came in the goalless draw at Osasuna, where he made an impressive 10 tackles to help his side to a crucial clean sheet. Sanchez also picked up an assist in the 5-1 win over Almeria three days later, and ended the month with a WhoScored rating of 7.04
Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta) - 7.31
Italian defender Giorgio Scalvini started three of Atalanta’s four matches in September, as they picked up seven points. Despite defeat, the centre-back registered an admirable 8.02 WhoScored rating against Fiorentina, where he made a total of 14 tackles and interceptions, as well as five clearances. September also saw the 19-year-old move up into second place among the highest rated of his Atalanta teammates, only behind Brazilian midfielder Ederson.
At just 17, Leny Yoro looks to have become one of Lille’s first choice centre-backs so far this season, and his impressive performances suggest a starting spot is deserved. The young Frenchman started each of his side’s three matches in September and scored the opening goal in a 2-2 draw at Rennes. Yoro’s defensive contribution has also impressed as the 17-year-old made five tackles and interceptions combined against Rennes, his highest rated performance of the month (7.55).
In another unbeaten month for high-flying Brest, 21-year-old left-back Bradley Locko’s performances have stood out, and are rewarded with a spot in September’s U21 team of the month. The full-back was especially impressive in the 2-1 win over Reims, where he made a total of 10 tackles and interceptions, two clearances and three dribbles on his way to a WhoScored rating of 7.90.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) - 7.89
The only player to retain their spot from August’s XI is Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, who also makes it back-to-back months as Europe’s best U21 player. The 20-year-old added two goals and an assist to his tally for the season, which now stands at eight goal contributions in seven matches. His standout performance in September came in the 3-0 win over Girona, where the England international scored, assisted and made four tackles, to register a WhoScored rating of 9.44, the highest in a La Liga match this season.
Barcelona star Gavi continued his strong start to the season at the heart of Xavi’s midfield as his side picked up 13 points from 15 available across September. The 19-year-old’s best performance of the month came in the 5-0 win over Real Betis, where he made six tackles, two interceptions, four successful dribbles and maintained a pass success rate of 96.5%, to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.58.
Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig) - 7.70
Xavi Simons’ electric form on loan at RB Leipzig continued in September, with the 20-year-old registering four contributions in an unbeaten month for Marco Rose’s side. The Netherlands international recorded his highest rated performance of the season so far (8.98) in a 3-0 victory at Union Berlin, where his opening goal and following assist all but sealed victory.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka continued his scoring start to the Premier League season with two goals in September against Tottenham and Bournemouth. The England international was also on hand to provide an assist in each of his side’s other two matches, too, against Everton and Manchester United. His standout performance came in the draw at home to rivals Spurs, where, along with a goal, he made four key passes and two dribbles to land a WhoScored rating of 8.25.
Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim) - 7.20
20-year-old attacker Maximilian Beier solidified his status as a starter for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in September, scoring in three of their four matches across the month. Beier’s strongest performance came in a 2-0 victory over Union Berlin, where his 38th minute goal proved decisive. He also completed two successful dribbles, to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.74.
Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) - 7.62
Belgian winger Jeremy Doku is proving to be yet another smart piece of business for Pep Guardiola’s side. The 21-year-old scored on just his second start against West Ham, and completed a total of 14 dribbles in four matches across September. Only Eberechi Eze (3.9) is averaging more successful dribbles per game than Doku (3.5) in the Premier League this season.
