Player Focus: Top rated Under-21 XI

International breaks are a time for reflection, as well as moaning that there is no domestic action to look forward to. The tables are taking shape across Europe’s top 5 leagues and in turn those playing have had sufficient time to impress their respective national coaches.

With a World Cup year approaching we’ve taken a look at the top rated players that began the season aged 21 or under, compiling a best XI – including reserve options in each position – of those to have started at least 5 games thus far. All of the players here could theoretically force their way into their national sides ahead of the tournament in Rio next summer and will hope to maintain their performance levels to ensure that they are, at the very least, considered for selection.

Between the posts is a 21-year old keeper who is repeatedly linked with a move to Barcelona to replace Victor Valdes. Gladbach shot stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has exceptional command of his area, making the most successful high claims (30) in the Bundesliga, while only three keepers in the league have made more saves (47). The 21-year old has 3 international caps already but has conceded 12 goals in those games, struggling to take his league form into the national side having kept 31 clean sheets in the Bundesliga already in his fledgling career.

Our right-back is Toulouse’s Serge Aurier, who has played at both centre and wing-back this season. A single glance at the Ivory Coast international would leave you stunned when told that he is just 20 years old. Look at him for as long as you like for that matter, you still won’t believe it. Capped 6 times at international level and with a good chance of extending that tally at the World Cup with his nation holding a 3-1 advantage over Senegal in their playoff, Aurier is a powerful athlete. Strong at the back, having averaged 2.8 tackles per game, he’s also a handful in attack, averaging 1.3 dribbles per game from defence.

On the opposite flank the performances of Ricardo Rodriguez for Wolfsburg this season have been exemplary. The 21-year old has 18 senior international caps already for a Switzerland side that breezed, undefeated, through their qualification group. It’s little wonder based on the left-back’s form this season, with Rodriguez having bombed forward to produce 1.8 key passes per game, heralding 2 assists, but remained a force to be reckoned with at the back with 3.2 tackles and 3.3 aerial duels won per game.

After a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Inter it seemed Sassuolo were doomed having been promoted to Serie A for the first time in their history. Since then, however, the newcomers have put up a real fight and the promotion to the first team of Luca Antei has coincided with a decent run. The Italian outfit have lost just one of the 6 matches that the 21-year old has featured in, picking up a point against leaders Roma, as well as Napoli, and the no-nonsense defender will hope that his performances have caught the attention of Cesare Prandelli. With an exceptional average of 4.5 for both tackles and interceptions per game there’s no reason why they wouldn’t.

Partnering Antei in our back four is Rodriguez’s Wolfsburg teammate Robin Knoche, with the German under-21 international having featured in every Bundesliga game this season. It’s unsurprising given the ease with which he’s made the step up into the first team, having made just 8 starts last season, with the young centre-back averaging more passes per game (51) than any teammate with an assured 85.5% accuracy. His imposing stature has also benefited the high-flying Wolves, winning 4.2 aerial duels per game thus far.

The performances of Paul Pogba since switching Manchester with Turin have been little short of sensational for a player of just 20. A 6’3″ frame has certainly helped the all round midfielder not to be overawed at the top level and his confident play has earned the Juve man a starting berth in les Bleus midfield already. If Deschamps’ side can overcome a tricky playoff with Ukraine than Pogba will likely play a key role next summer. With 4 goals and 2 assists to his name this season he offers a real threat, particular on the edge of the box, whilst breaking up play with 3.2 tackles per game.

Joining the Frenchman in our midfield is Spain’s Isco, who starred in this summer’s Euro Under-21 Championships and will hope to go one better at next year’s World Cup. A big money move to Real Madrid certainly thrust him further into the limelight but the playmaker has not disappointed. With 10 league starts over a number of midfield positions he’s scored 4 goals for los Blancos already, whilst averaging a team high of 2.2 dribbles per game. Meanwhile, only Angel Di Maria has created more chances (22) for Ancelotti’s side.

The second Spaniard in our XI, and another who has already received recognition from Vicente del Bosque, is Atletico Madrid wide man Koke. It’s fair to say that few players offer the same threat from the flanks in La Liga as the 21-year old, who looks to get plenty of crosses into the box – accurate with 1.6 per game thus far. He rarely looks to beat a man but his creativity and graft ensure that he is a key player for Diego Simeone’s impressive outfit, and with 7 assists to his name no other player in Spain’s top-flight has set up more goals.

One of the two other players to match Koke’s assist tally in La Liga is Barcelona’s latest star Neymar, who has hit the ground running after a drawn out transfer from Santos. The host nation’s poster boy will not only hope to impress next summer but help Brazil regain the World Cup on home soil, and he’s in fine form right now. Four goals and seven assists in 11 league appearances is some way to make an impression on your adoring public and with 4 dribbles per game he’s certainly living up to his reputation early on.

Pipping Julian Draxler into the number 10 role is Hoffenheim’s Roberto Firmino, who will hope that his displays mean that he is at least in contention to join Neymar in Brazil’s party next year. He’s yet to be capped at any level by his national side but will certainly harbour some hope if he can maintain his form. He’s netted 7 goals and picked up 4 assists in the league already this season, boasting an exceptional 30.4% conversion rate whilst also fulfilling his defensive responsibilities with 2.6 tackles per game.

Completing a three-strong contingent of Germans in our XI is Pierre-Michel Lasogga, who will feel confident of catching Joachim Löw’s eye if he can maintain his rich vein of form. The striking position is the only real issue for the long-serving coach right now, with Gomez sidelined and Klose in the twilight years of a fantastic international career. The 21-year old joined Hamburg on loan this summer and has netted 8 times in just 6 starts, representing a superb target for the side having won 3.5 aerial duels per game. The Germans have a history of big, burly strikers and Lasogga could be the latest of those.