Europe’s top five leagues are brimming with young talent but which u-21 players have been the stars of the season so far?
We’ve looked at some names emerging as faces of the next generation, producing the goods in attacking areas with regularity in Europe’s top divisions. Here are the five u-21 players with the most goal involvements in Europe’s top five leagues in 2023/24.
The u-21 players with the most goals and assists in Europe’s top five leagues:
Xavi Simons – RB Leipizg (14)
Xavi Simons exploded during a terrific season at PSV Eindhoven last term, as the midfielder scored 19 league goals to end the campaign as the Eredivisie’s leading scorer. Paris Saint-Germain recognised their mistake in allowing the Dutchman to leave and activated a bargain buy-back clause to re-sign Simons in a £5m deal.
PSG felt Simons’ development would be best served on loan this season and sent the 20-year-old to RB Leipzig for the campaign, with the Bundesliga side recognised as an elite developer of young talent. The move has been a huge success, with Simons scoring six times in the league and providing eight assists.
Trust the process ???? Thanks to our travelling fans! pic.twitter.com/LQM6jXmZHw
— Xavi Simons (@xavisimons) March 7, 2024
It’s hard to envisage that there will not be room for the dynamic Dutch international in the PSG squad next season.
Savio – Girona (15)
Girona have been one of the stories of the season in Europe’s top leagues after mounting an unexpected challenge for the La Liga title. In just their fourth-ever season in Spain’s top tier, Girona sit second in the table after 28 games, a point and place above champions Barcelona.
Savio has been one of the stars of the side, with the 19-year-old outstanding on loan from French side Troyes. The winger has eight goals and seven assists, emerging as one of the most exciting talents in Spanish football.
No player in LaLiga has completed more take-ons this season than @GironaFC‘s Savio ???????? pic.twitter.com/a2wRmfrNDA
— LiveScore (@livescore) March 13, 2024
Manchester City have moved swiftly to sign the starlet from their City Football Group contemporaries, securing a €30 million deal to bring Savio to the Premier League in the summer.
Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen (16)
The jewel in the crown of a Bayer Leverkusen team chasing a historic treble this season, Florian Wirtz has cemented his status as German football’s brightest talent after injury problems in recent campaigns.
Wirtz has six goals and 10 assists in the Bundesliga for the league leaders, who are 10 points clear of Bayern Munich in their pursuit of a maiden league title. He has seven further goal involvements in the Europa League, for a Leverkusen team unbeaten in all competitions in 2023/24.
Leverkusen are set to face the challenge of all teams who dare threaten to break through European football’s glass ceiling, as the continent’s financial superpowers circle for their top talent and highly-rated head coach.
Best to ignore those calls from Bayern Munich…
Maximilian Beier – Hoffenheim (17)
Maximilian Beier is the third Bundesliga bright thing to feature on this list after a breakthrough season at Hoffenheim.
The 21-year-old is pushing for a place in Germany’s squad for this summer’s home European Championship after scoring 12 league goals and providing five assists this season.
Beier spent last season on loan in the 2.Bundesliga at Hannover 96 but has handled the step up with ease since returning to the Rhein-Neckar-Arena. Liverpool are among the clubs said to have checked in on his progress.
???????????? Maximilian Beier, nominated for the first time / @tsghoffenheim
Well deserved after 12 goals and 5 assists this Bundesliga season yet. Top clubs from Germany and from the Premier League are pushing to sign the 21 y/o striker next season ✔️
⚠️ Release clause of around… pic.twitter.com/odTnX5c8Y1
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) March 14, 2024
Cole Palmer – Chelsea (19)
Mauricio Pochettino this week said it feels as if Cole Palmer has been a Chelsea player for 20 years, such has been the comfort the summer signing has shown in a Blue shirt this season.
Palmer has been a revelation since his surprise arrival from Manchester City last summer, emerging from the shadows of Pep Guardiola’s first team to become the leading light at Chelsea.
The 21-year-old has 11 goals and eight assists in the Premier League, form which has earned him a place in the England squad where he can stake a claim for a Euro 2024 place this month.
Premier League goal number 1️⃣1️⃣ for our Cole! ???? #CFC | #CheNew pic.twitter.com/CnnuknVZao
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 12, 2024
He is a leading candidate for the PFA Young Player of the Year Award.
Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid (19)
Jude Bellingham is tied with England teammate Palmer for the most goals and assists from u-21 players in Europe’s top leagues this season.
Bellingham decided on Real Madrid last summer as Europe’s leading clubs competed for his signature and has proven to be an instant hit, even amid the expectation of the Spanish giants.
The 20-year-old has scored 16 league goals, a league-leading total and comfortably the best return of his career so far. Bellingham was named the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season in 2022/23 and will be the strong favourite to take the La Liga equivalent this time around.
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