5 best U21 players in the world right now

#4 Matthijs de Ligt

After having made a big-money move to Juventus, all eyes are on De Ligt right now

Matthijs de Ligt was the captain of Ajax at the age of 19 for a good reason. The Dutch international just turned 20, and yet he has the assuredness and mentality of a veteran who has seen it all. With the physique of a top defender and a skill set which is technically sound, de Ligt is one of the most talented players in his age group.

As such, it came as no surprise to anyone when Juventus spent big bucks to Ajax to acquire de Ligt's services.

Strong on the ball, de Ligt is known for his speed, strength, aerial prowess, and his overall understanding of the game which far exceeds his age. He is the youngest player to start in a European final (17 years and 285 days), and he is the first defender to win the Golden Boy award. It is indeed scary to think that this youngster is yet to even enter his peak years.

Because he is currently playing for Juventus, the pressure on de Ligt is perhaps more than the pressure on any of the other players on this list. Regardless, with his mindset and personality, combined with the fact that he has the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Giorgio Chiellini to guide him, de Ligt can have a long career as the best centre-back in the world for years to come.