Top 5 Valuable Under-21 Players In Football

By Joshua Walters 

The football fraternity has over the years witnessed great qualities from young players with different talents. 

And to have an idea of the recent performances of some young players, Predictionboard.com have a brief highlights on some top 5 valuable under-21 players who have developed to become world-class elements for their clubs and countries.

Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain/France): £234million 

France and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe tops the valuable young players in the sport having won the most valuable under-21 player accolade last year.

Since featuring in the game, the 20-year-old has proven to become a world-class prospect with splendid performances for both club and country.

Having completed a mega-money move from Monaco to PSG, Mbappe has leaved up to expectations as that has won him interest from top European clubs with Real Madrid leading the race for services. 

As a young player, Mbappe played an integral role in France's 2018 World Cup triumph in Russia.

Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund/England): £107million 

Failing to secure a place in the senior team of Manchester City, Jadon Sancho made a move to German giants Borussia Dortmund in 2017 to seek more senior team appearances.

And his decision has proven to be the best option for him as his inclusion in the Dortmund squad forced Christian Pulisic to the bench with the latter securing a move to Premier League club Chelsea.

Sancho has become one of the indispensable players at Dortmund, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists in 34 Bundesliga games as his side were pipped to the domestic title by Bayern Munich.

Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax/Holland): £67million 

Graduating through the ranks of Ajax's youth team, Matthijs de Ligt has earned himself the bragging rights as one of the best in his position.

De Ligt’s inclusion in the Netherlands national team has brought a relief to the defensive department of the side in a superb pair with Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk.

In a pivotal role in Ajax’s successful season last term, De Ligt helped the side reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 23 years as Ajax also clinched the Eredivisie title.

De Ligt, having played a key role in Ajax's run to the Eredivisie title recorded three goals in thirty-three league games with one assist and three goals in the Champions League.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea/England): £28.5million 

One future prospect for both England and Chelsea, Callum Hudson-Odoi cannot be overlooked when highlighting on most valuable under-21 players in football.

After winning the under-17 World Cup with England in 2017, Hudson-Odoi has become a hotcake in the sport after he submitted a transfer request when Bayern Munich tabled their offer, after becoming frustrated over a lack of first-team opportunities whiles his peers, like Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund, were sparkling for their sides.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool/England): £66million 

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has come in leaps and bounds since breaking into the first team at the start of the 2017/2018 season.

And now the England international became the first young player to have started in a back-back Champions League final for the first time in 24 years.

Having guided Liverpool to a back-to-back Champions League final, Arnold recorded 12 assists in twenty-nine Premier League games with just one goal, but failed to score a goal in eleven Champions League appearances, winning the 2018/19 Champions League title with the Merseyside club.