5 Most valuable U-23 forwards in the world

Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are two of the most talented young forwards in the world
Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are two of the most talented young forwards in the world

#3 Joao Felix | Atletico Madrid | €81m

Felix was one of the most sought-after talents in the 2019 summer transfer window
Felix was one of the most sought-after talents in the 2019 summer transfer window

There is always a certain amount of anticipation when a young player steps up on the big stage and has a devastating impact. In this case, the word 'anticipation' would be severely understating the hype surrounding Joao Felix. He made the front pages of Portuguese newspapers at 19 with the tag of being the most talented Selecao attacker since Cristiano Ronaldo.

Felix's unbelievable technical ability belies his age as is simply remarkable. His understanding and reading of the game allows him to float around the attacking third and find pockets of space. The Portuguese's superb movement makes him very difficult to mark, and he can wriggle past opposition players with his excellent ball control. He's also capable of playing all across the front line.

Felix excels at playing off a more focal striker, much like his predecessor at Atletico Madrid, Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman loves to operate in a similar area and was hugely successful at the Wanda Metropolitano. Although Felix is still some way off the World Cup winner, there is little doubt that he has a scarily high ceiling.

Felix also received massive praise from former legends of the game, including the likes of Rui Costa and Kaka. The latter, in particular, flattered Felix by telling him that he is already more skillful than Kaka ever was.

The Atleti #7 is just 20 years old and can go on to become one of the best players in the world. Los Rojiblancos invested a stunning €126m in the Portuguese starlet, and it could pay dividends in the near future.


#2 Jadon Sancho | Borussia Dortmund | €117m

Sancho is reportedly Manchester United's #1 target heading into the transfer window
Sancho is reportedly Manchester United's #1 target heading into the transfer window

Jadon Sancho is, perhaps, the most talented English youngster the Three Lions have had in a very long time. The fleet-footed winger is one of the biggest success stories among players who left their home comforts for valuable minutes abroad.

The former Manchester City winger departed from the Etihad Stadium due to a lack of minutes in the first-team. The long list of City's attacking wizards such as Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva, and others was too tall an order for the young an inexperienced Englishman.

Sancho replaced Ousmane Dembele at the Signal Iduna Park for £8m and now has the world at his feet.

His pace and trickery help him beat his man either out wide or while drifting into the middle. Predominantly a wide player, the Englishman is excellent at operating from between the lines and has utter and complete over the ball. His ability to dribble past players like they were training cones is exquisite, and additionally, he's got an eye for goal.

Sancho has continued to break records with his sublime output this campaign, having amassed 17 goals and 16 assists in 32 league games. His surreal performances have helped BVB seal second place on the Bundesliga table.

Manchester United's interest in the former City winger is well-documented, and he is said to be keen on a move to Old Trafford. Should he make the move, he is expected to cost the Red Devils upwards of €100m despite the ongoing pandemic.


#1 Kylian Mbappe | Paris Saint-Germain | €180m

Mbappe is, simply put, the best young player in the world
Mbappe is, simply put, the best young player in the world

There is not a more talented individual aged 23 or under in the world than Kylian Mbappe. The French superstar has already achieved immense success for a player who turned 21 in December 2019.

Mbappe already has won each of the last three Ligue 1 titles on offer and the FIFA World Cup 2018 with France. The young attacker spearheaded Les Bleus to glory with crucial and, not to mention, stunning goals in Russia. For his immaculate performances, he was voted as the best young player at the prestigious tournament as well.

The PSG #7 is also the defending Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year, having bagged both in the 2018/19 campaign. Although he started just 24 games, he ended the season with an astonishing 33 goals and seven assists. Mbappe has also been in blazing form this year scoring 18 goals in 20 games, having started only 17.

His ability on and off the ball, tactical intelligence and sublime ball control is simply unrivalled by anyone of his age, and perhaps, even beyond. Mbappe combines his excellent positioning in the final third with a host of abilities. He is arguably one of the fastest players in the world and, to add to that, he's a razor-edged finisher. It would not be fair to call him one of the best youngsters in the world when, in truth, he's one of the best players in the world bar none.

Real Madrid have always been interested in recruiting Mbappe to the Santiago Bernabeu. The capital club were said to have been tracking his progress for years before he moved to PSG. The Frenchman remains a player Los Blancos admire. Should Mbappe move to Real Madrid, he could certainly go on to become one of the greatest footballers of his generation.

He is the most valuable U-23 attacker in the world.


Also read: 5 Big-name signings that failed at Real Madrid

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Edited by Sai Teja
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