A number of U21 players excelled across Europe’s top five leagues this season. We take a look at the best rated XI of those born after July 31st 2001 to have made at least 20 appearances, with Arsenal, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Brest, Lille, Mainz 05, Bologna, and Empoli all represented.
Empoli secured their top-flight safety with a 2-1 win over Roma on Sunday though they likely would have dropped into Serie B without Elia Caprile between the sticks. The Italian shotstopper ranked second for saves per 90 (3.4) in Serie A this season to kick off the U21 team of the season with a WhoScored rating of 6.95.
Thiago Santos impressed both on and off the ball for Lille in their fourth-placed finish. Santos averaged a respectable 2.4 tackles per 90 in France’s top tier this term as Lille managed one of the best defensive records in the division, while 2.1 dribbles per 90 ranked 18th in the division.
Sepp van den Berg (Mainz) – 7.04
The best rated center-back in the Bundesliga this season, Sepp van den Berg is a man in demand this summer following an impressive campaign for Mainz. The young Dutchman ranked second for aerial duels won (173) and shots blocked (36), and fourth for clearances (154), in the Bundesliga this season.
Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna) – 6.99
Partnering Van den Berg at the heart of the defense is Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori, who earned a WhoScored rating of 6.99. The 22-year-old is wanted by Juventus this summer and for good reason with Calafiori ranking sixth for interceptions (50) in Serie A.
Only one player made more tackles than Bradley Locko (97) in Ligue 1 this season, while the 22-year-old got forward well from left-back for Brest as he completed 56 dribbles, that ranking eighth overall and top of defenders. It was an impressive season for Locko, who managed a WhoScored rating of 7.07.
Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) – 7.50
One of the star performers in Bayer Leverkusen’s title-winning unbeaten season, Florian Wirtz won possession in the attacking third more times (36) than any other player and also ended the campaign with 11 assists to his name. Coupled with 11 goals, the German attacker was one of only two players to finish the season with double figures for both metrics to help earn a WhoScored rating of 7.50.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 7.81
The best rated player in the XI, Jude Bellingham landed a WhoScored rating of 7.81 in La Liga this season. The Real Madrid star scored 19 and registered an additional six assists in Spain’s top tier this term as he shone in his debut campaign at the Bernabeu.
Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig) – 7.58
Xavi Simons, who registered 11 assists, was superb on his loan spell for RB Leipzig this season as evidenced by a WhoScored rating of 7.58. The Dutchman’s 79 key passes were the fourth most in the Bundesliga and he also completed 84 dribbles, that ranking third.
Saka enjoyed his most-prolific campaign to date and ended the campaign with 16 league goals to his name. The Arsenal winger also laid on an additional nine assists, coming from 91 key passes, which ranked sixth across Europe’s top five leagues this season.
Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim) – 6.98
Maximilian Beier enjoyed an excellent breakout campaign for Hoffenheim this season as he scored 16 Bundesliga goals. Few would have expected the German forward to make such an impact having netted just 10 times across back-to-back 2.Bundesliga seasons on loan with Hannover 96.
Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) – 7.65
Only teammate Leroy Sane completed more dribbles than Jamal Musiala (87) in the Bundesliga this season in what was another fine campaign for the 21-year-old. Musiala netted 10 times and laid on an additional six assists for FC Hollywood as he rounds off the central midfield trio with a WhoScored rating of 7.65.
